väjningsplikt

Väjningsplikt, or the obligation to yield, is a principle in Swedish traffic law that requires a road user to give priority to other participants in certain situations. The concept appears in both road signs and general rules for how traffic should merge or cross.

The obligation applies when a driver is required to slow down or stop to let other traffic pass safely. It is signalled by traffic signs that instruct a driver to give way, and it also governs behavior at junctions without signs or signals. In such uncontrolled intersections, the general rule is to yield to traffic coming from the right. At roundabouts, vehicles entering must yield to those already circulating. When turning across traffic, the turning vehicle must yield to oncoming traffic that has priority. Pedestrians and cyclists crossing at designated crossings or in marked crosswalks also have priority in many situations, and vehicles must yield accordingly.

Signs and rule-based scenarios define when väjningsplikt applies. A yield sign instructs drivers to slow down and give way to traffic on the priority route or to pedestrians if applicable. Conversely, a priority road sign indicates that the driver has the right of way.

Penalties for failing to observe väjningsplikt vary with the context and severity. Minor infringements may result in fines, while dangerous or repeated violations can carry higher penalties and license points under traffic regulations.

Overall, väjningsplikt aims to prevent collisions by ensuring that drivers consider the movements of others before proceeding, emphasizing cautious and predictable behavior at intersections, merges, roundabouts, and crosswalks.