Indiana criminal charge
Vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation in Indiana
Vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation is a criminal offense under Indiana law, defined by Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35. Its classification is not fixed: Indiana assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35.
What is the penalty for vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation in Indiana?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Failure to yield to stationary emergency vehicle — A person fails to change lanes or reduce speed as required when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights.; civil judgment, not a criminal conviction (IC 34-28-5); no jail) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 34-28-5-4 |
| Jail / prison | 6 months to 30 months (Failure to yield to stationary emergency vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death — A violation of the duty to yield or slow down for a stationary authorized emergency vehicle results in serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death to a person operating, occupying, or affiliated with that emergency vehicle.; fixed term; advisory sentence 1 year; court may enter judgment of conviction as a Class A misdemeanor in limited circumstances (IC 35-50-2-7(c))) | presumptive | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Failure to yield to stationary emergency vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death — A violation of the duty to yield or slow down for a stationary authorized emergency vehicle results in serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death to a person operating, occupying, or affiliated with that emergency vehicle.) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Failure to yield to stationary recovery, utility, solid waste, or maintenance vehicle — A person fails to change lanes or reduce speed as required when approaching a stationary recovery vehicle, utility service vehicle, solid waste hauler, or road/street/highway maintenance vehicle displaying alternately flashing amber lights.; civil judgment, not a criminal conviction (IC 34-28-5); no jail) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 34-28-5-4 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Failure to yield to disabled stationary vehicle with flashing hazard signals — A person fails to change lanes or reduce speed as required when approaching a disabled stationary vehicle displaying flashing hazard warning signals.; civil judgment, not a criminal conviction (IC 34-28-5); no jail) | discretionary | Ind. Code § 34-28-5-4 |
Applies to current.
How is vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation classified in Indiana?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to yield to stationary emergency vehicle | Class A Infraction | A person fails to change lanes or reduce speed as required when approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle displaying alternately flashing red, red and white, or red and blue lights. | Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35(b) |
| Failure to yield to stationary emergency vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death | Level 6 Felony | A violation of the duty to yield or slow down for a stationary authorized emergency vehicle results in serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death to a person operating, occupying, or affiliated with that emergency vehicle. | Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35(b) |
| Failure to yield to stationary recovery, utility, solid waste, or maintenance vehicle | Class B Infraction | A person fails to change lanes or reduce speed as required when approaching a stationary recovery vehicle, utility service vehicle, solid waste hauler, or road/street/highway maintenance vehicle displaying alternately flashing amber lights. | Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35(c) |
| Failure to yield to disabled stationary vehicle with flashing hazard signals | Class B Infraction | A person fails to change lanes or reduce speed as required when approaching a disabled stationary vehicle displaying flashing hazard warning signals. | Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35(d) |
Common questions about vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation in Indiana
Is vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?
It depends on the circumstances: vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation ranges from a Class B Infraction to a Level 6 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35.
Failure to yield to stationary emergency vehicle: Class A Infraction (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35(b)) · Failure to yield to stationary emergency vehicle resulting in serious bodily injury, catastrophic injury, or death: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35(b)) · Failure to yield to stationary recovery, utility, solid waste, or maintenance vehicle: Class B Infraction (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35(c)) · Failure to yield to disabled stationary vehicle with flashing hazard signals: Class B Infraction (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35(d))
What are the penalties for vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation in Indiana?
Penalties for vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation in Indiana depend on how it is classified — from a Class B Infraction up to a Level 6 Felony — with the ranges set by Ind. Code § 34-28-5-4 and Ind. Code § 35-50-2-7; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Indiana statute covers vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation?
Vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation is governed by Ind. Code § 9-21-8-35 (Vehicles displaying flashing lights; yield right-of-way; violation).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.