Read more to see how the law handles right-of-way in your state and what you can do to stay safe and to protect yourself. More than that, it can help you protect your rights and the rights of your loved ones in case the unthinkable happens. Knowing how the law defines who has the right-of-way in a given situation may not protect you from unsafe drivers, but it can help you make sure you are doing your part to stay safe. Today 17% of all traffic-related deaths are pedestrians.ĭrivers and pedestrians that are not vigilant and cautious while on or near the road make it more dangerous for everyone. In fact, the numbers have been steadily rising over the last 10 years. ![]() Remember that corny joke: “Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to the other side.” Well, getting to the other side safely is not so easy anymore.Despite there being fewer people out and about, less traffic on the roads, 2020 saw more pedestrian fatalities than any year prior, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. If your light says DON’T WALK, there’s a reason: drivers may have a green arrow to turn. Cross when the light says WALK, not when the light is green for traffic.Cross quickly – once you are in the street, you have no protection.Just because one driver has stopped for you doesn’t mean you’ll be safe to make it all the way across. Wait for the all clear - Even if a car has stopped to allow you to cross, my advice is to wave it by.Although cars must stop and allow you to cross if you’re standing IN the crosswalk, it’s dangerous to be waiting in the street. Stay up on the curb to wait to cross - It’s safer.Pay attention - Put down your phone and pull out the earbuds when crossing the street.So, here are my top 5 warnings to pedestrians (including my own kids): “Pedestrians always get the worst of an accident” is ALWAYS true. “Pedestrians have the right of way” is only sometimes true. ![]() See what I mean? No matter who is at fault, the pedestrian, unfortunately, is always the loser. In this case, although the pedestrian may have walked into the path of Car B which could not stop in time, Car B failed to noticed that Car A had stopped for a pedestrian within the crosswalk. The law states that a pedestrian cannot walk into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.ĭangerous crosswalk situation #2: Car A has stopped for a pedestrian within the crosswalk the pedestrian crosses in front of Car A only to be hit by Car B in the next lane. Who is at fault? The pedestrian, even though he was in the crosswalk. But, let’s be perfectly clear: JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE IN THE CROSSWALK DOES NOT MEAN YOU’RE SAFE.ĭangerous crosswalk situation #1: Car A is approaching the crosswalk within the speed limit when a pedestrian suddenly steps into the crosswalk and Car A is unable to stop. Ok – so now you are un-confused and understand the law. ![]() Cars do not have to stop for pedestrians AT the crosswalk, standing on the curb. If you are a pedestrian standing on the curb AT a crosswalk, the driver does not have to stop and allow you to cross.Ĭars must stop for pedestrians who are WITHIN the crosswalk. If you are a pedestrian already IN the crosswalk and trying to cross the street, the law states that the driver must stop and allow you to cross. Pedestrians see the sign and shake their fists at drivers who don’t stop for them.ĭrivers are confused pedestrians are confused. STATE LAW – STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS WITHIN CROSSWALKĭrivers see the sign and slam on their brakes to allow pedestrians to cross the street. But even when both drivers and pedestrians are alert, there’s a very dangerous road sign that no one seems to understand. Distracted drivers and distracted pedestrians are often to blame. There has been, however, a dramatic rise in serious pedestrian accidents including a spike in fatalities. Since then, not much has changed legally. A few years ago, I wrote an article for the Legal Times, “ Dancing with the Cars: Do Pedestrians Really Have the Right of Way?”
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