# Rules regarding yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 6, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823 "2010-09-06T18:47:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/21 "2010-09-09T03:28:10Z")
North Carolina: bolding is mine in all, just to highlight some particularly relevant or interesting stufff with controls: > [@](#): > > ``` > Whenever special pedestrian‑control signals are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows: > > ``` > > (1) WALK. – Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the highway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right‑of‑way by the drivers of all vehicles. > > (2) DON’T WALK. – No pedestrian shall start to cross the highway in the direction of such signal, \*\*but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the “WALK” signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island \*\*while the “DON’T WALK” signal is showing. > > (c) Where a system of traffic‑control signals or devices does not include special pedestrian‑control signals, pedestrians shall be subject to the vehicular traffic‑control signals or devices as they apply to pedestrian traffic. without controls: > [@](#): > > § 20‑173. Pedestrians’ right‑of‑way at crosswalks. > > (a) Where traffic‑control signals are not in place or in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right‑of‑way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk **or within any unmarked crosswalk at or near an intersection** , except as otherwise provided in Part 11 of this Article. > > (c) The driver of a vehicle emerging from or entering an alley, building entrance, private road, or driveway shall yield the right‑of‑way to any pedestrian, or person riding a bicycle, \*\*approaching on any sidewalk or walkway \*\*extending across such alley, building entrance, road, or driveway. (1937, c. 407, s. 134; 1973, c. 1330, s. 32.) 20-174 lists a bunch of things pedestrians shouldn’t do, but then states: > [@](#): > > § 20‑174. Crossing at other than crosswalks; walking along highway. > > (e) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, **every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway** , and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary, and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway. (1937, c. 407, s. 135; 1973, c. 1330, s. 33.) This part regards turning right on red: > [@](#): > > Any vehicle that turns right under this subdivision shall yield the right‑of‑way to: > > 1. > > ``` > Other traffic and pedestrians using the intersection; and > > ``` > > 2. > > ``` > **Pedestrians who are moving towards the intersection, who are in reasonably close proximity to the intersection, and who are preparing to cross** in front of the traffic that is required to stop at the red light. > > ``` General right of way: > [@](#): > > (c) The driver of any vehicle upon a highway within a business or residence district shall yield the right‑of‑way to a pedestrian crossing such highway within any clearly marked crosswalk, **or any regular pedestrian crossing included in the prolongation of the lateral boundary lines of the adjacent sidewalk at the end of a block** , except at intersections where the movement of traffic is being regulated by traffic officers or traffic direction devices. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/22 "2010-09-09T03:54:38Z")
Of course, even if he doesn’t have the right of way, you aren’t allowed to hit him. Tris ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/23 "2010-09-09T13:12:13Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > > [@Dennis3240](#): > > > > This is rarely if ever enforced but legally pedestrians always have the right of way at a marked crosswalk. > > I used to cross a busy street to get to work. White lines but no lights. Every couple of months a motorcycle officer would sit there and catch people during the morning commute. > > Once he ticketed a bicyclist who didn’t stop - that was one unhappy cyclist. This reminds me of the time I was crossing a complicated five or six way intersection in Boston. I couldn’t name it, but it was shortly after crossing the Charles from Charlestown to downtown. I patiently waited (a couple minutes) for a pedestrian light and immediately started to cross—and was nearly totaled by a girl on a bicycle. She stopped and started cursing me (very large vocabulary too). I sure wish there had been a cop to ticket her. ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/24 "2010-09-09T13:45:16Z")
> [@Mr\_Downtown](#): > > justrob, I hope you understand that a _flashing_ “DON’T WALK” is not a prohibition on walking. It means “don’t start to cross.” Absolutely. My pet peeve is this statement… [QUOTE=supergoose] I understand that if a pedestrian is actually crossing the street in a crosswalk (or anywhere else, for that matter) I have to stop for them (duh). [/QUOTE] … and… [QUOTE=Dennis3240] My understanding is in most states if a pedestrian is standing at a marked crosswalk that in and of itself shows intent to cross. You legally are required to stop and allow them to walk across. [/QUOTE] … which are NOT true if the crossing signal are indicating Don’t Walk (in a non-flashing mode;)). Pedestrians also do not have the right of way if they are crossing in a non-crosswalk area (jaywalking), at least in Wisconsin. [QUOTE=Wisconsin Statutes] 346.23: Crossing controlled intersection or crosswalk. (1) At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, **the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian**, or to a person who is riding a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, **who has started to cross the highway on a green or “Walk” signal and in all other cases pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of electric personal assistive mobility devices shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully proceeding directly ahead on a green signal**. No operator of a vehicle proceeding ahead on a green signal may begin a turn at a controlled intersection or crosswalk when a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device crossing in the crosswalk on a green or “Walk” signal would be endangered or interfered with in any way. The rules stated in this subsection are modified at intersections or crosswalks on divided highways or highways provided with safety zones in the manner and to the extent stated in sub. (2). (2) At intersections or crosswalks on divided highways or highways provided with safety zones where traffic is controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device who has started to cross the roadway either from the near curb or shoulder or from the center dividing strip or a safety zone with the green or “Walk” signal in the favor of the pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device. 346.24: Crossing at uncontrolled intersection or crosswalk. (1) At an intersection or crosswalk where traffic is not controlled by traffic control signals or by a traffic officer, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian, or to a person riding a bicycle or electric personal assistive mobility device in a manner which is consistent with the safe use of the crosswalk by pedestrians, who is crossing the highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk. (2) **No pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk, run, or ride into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is difficult for the operator of the vehicle to yield.** (3) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device to cross the roadway, the operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. 346.25: **Crossing at place other than crosswalk Every pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.** [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/25 "2010-09-09T13:50:59Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > But if the pedestrian signals don’t correspond to a traffic signal, I’m not sure what difference it would make. It might lead to a group of people suddenly marching out into the street when a walk sign comes on, and the cars don’t have any idea it’s about to happen. If the pedestrian signals don’t match up with the traffic signal you should contact someone as that would be a fairly dangerous situation. In my, oh 25 years of driving, I have never seen that happen. ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/26 "2010-09-09T13:57:15Z")
> [@Triskadecamus](#): > > Of course, even if he doesn’t have the right of way, you aren’t allowed to hit him. True, and I would always do my best to not hit them but if the unfortunate should happen and I did hit a pedestrian the right of way rules are used to determine who’s at fault. If I am following the rules of the road and a pedestrian darts out in the middle of the block from behind something that prevents me from seeing them and stopping in time it is the pedesrians fault. Not magically mine. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/27 "2010-09-09T13:59:49Z")
> [@GusNSpot](#): > > Wall\*Mart has trained people to just step out in front of cars any old place and now they are doing it on highways with 55MPH speeds. > They are dying. > > If it is not an intersection or a marked crossing, do not dare the cars ever. If it is a legal crossing, just remember, there is right & dead right. What on earth does Wal-Mart have to do with this topic?? ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/28 "2010-09-09T14:03:34Z")
> [@justrob](#): > > If I am following the rules of the road and a pedestrian darts out in the middle of the block from behind something that prevents me from seeing them and stopping in time it is the pedesrians fault. Not magically mine. If that “something” is another vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, then you are in the wrong. So your statement is not completely true. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/29 "2010-09-09T14:05:01Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > What on earth does Wal-Mart have to do with this topic?? Presumably with their insidious practice of putting marked pedestrian crossings in their parking lots. ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/30 "2010-09-09T15:02:44Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > If that “something” is another vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, then you are in the wrong. So your statement is not completely true. True, and I should have put “in the middle of the block where there is not a pedestrian crossing.” so allow me to restate. If I am following the rules of the road and a pedestrian darts out in the middle of the block, **where there is no pedestrian crossing** , from behind something that prevents me from seeing them and stopping in time it is the pedesrians fault. Not magically mine. Better? ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/31 "2010-09-09T15:07:28Z")
> [@justrob](#): > > Better? Much better 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/32 "2010-09-09T15:16:50Z")
A small town I drive through daily recently placed a mid block crosswalk. A local ne’er-do-well has been hanging out on the sidewalk where the crosswalk is located. I’ve never seen him cross, but he gives drivers fits. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2010, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/33 "2010-09-09T15:23:54Z")
> [@justrob](#): > > > [@Giles](#): > > > > If that “something” is another vehicle that has stopped at a pedestrian crossing, then you are in the wrong. So your statement is not completely true. > > True, and I should have put “in the middle of the block where there is not a pedestrian crossing.” so allow me to restate. > > If I am following the rules of the road and a pedestrian darts out in the middle of the block, **where there is no pedestrian crossing** , from behind something that prevents me from seeing them and stopping in time it is the pedesrians fault. Not magically mine. > > Better? That would be up to a judge, jury, or insurance company to decide. ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/34 "2010-09-10T03:28:54Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > > [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > > > What on earth does Wal-Mart have to do with this topic?? > > Presumably with their insidious practice of putting marked pedestrian crossings in their parking lots. Note that “crossings” is not “crosswalks”. Here, it’s a striped area that covers 2/3 of the length of the store’s frontage along with signs that indicate that motorists must yield to pedestrians in the crossing area. As a result, people come moping out of the store at 1/2 of a snail’s pace with overloaded grocery carts and don’t even bother to look to see if anything’s coming because the cars have to stop anyway. ---
**Author:** ![justrob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9adbd/32.png) [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/35 "2010-09-10T14:12:01Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > That would be up to a judge, jury, or insurance company to decide. Ok, let’s see if I can make everyone happy with this one. (I doubt it but I’ll try.) If I am following the rules of the road and a pedestrian darts out in the middle of the block, where there is no pedestrian crossing, from behind something that prevents me from seeing them and stopping in time it is not automatically my fault. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/36 "2010-09-10T16:06:44Z")
> [@justrob](#): > > > [@TriPolar](#): > > > > That would be up to a judge, jury, or insurance company to decide. > > Ok, let’s see if I can make everyone happy with this one. (I doubt it but I’ll try.) > > If I am following the rules of the road and a pedestrian darts out in the middle of the block, where there is no pedestrian crossing, from behind something that prevents me from seeing them and stopping in time it is not automatically my fault. Well if you have an automatic transmission. If it’s a standard, that would be a sticking point.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/37 "2010-09-10T21:37:30Z")
> [@BrotherCadfael](#): > > What on earth does Wal-Mart have to do with this topic?? > [@jasonh300](#): > > > [@Giles](#): > > > > Presumably with their insidious practice of putting marked pedestrian crossings in their parking lots. > > Note that “crossings” is not “crosswalks”. Here, it’s a striped area that covers 2/3 of the length of the store’s frontage along with signs that indicate that motorists must yield to pedestrians in the crossing area. As a result, people come moping out of the store at 1/2 of a snail’s pace with overloaded grocery carts and don’t even bother to look to see if anything’s coming because the cars have to stop anyway. Likewise at the local Safeway supermarkets. In those cases I think the markings are a good idea, but I agree that the practice has had an unfortunate carryover effect into other areas, like the place I work: my city’s convention center. The convention center’s parking lot is across a street. The problem with this is that event attendees — particularly those from out of town — don’t seem to realize that **this is a city street with a 25MPH speed limit** they’re crossing. It’s _not_ just part of the parking lot like they would see at Wal-Mart or Safeway. And so I constantly see people leaving the building, stepping off the curb, and walking straight across the street (or even better, strolling four-abreast down the middle of the street) without bothering to look for oncoming cars. I’m astonished that nobody has been hit yet. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2010, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823/38 "2010-09-10T21:52:46Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Meanwhile, in Montana, not only is it the law that any pedestrian who might plausibly cross has the right of way, but the drivers actually follow it. They follow it in L.A. too. There are a lot of crosswalks on the west side and drivers are really good about stopping for people waiting on the sidewalk to cross. Traffic is horrible in L.A., but in general drivers here are better than any place else I’ve lived. They stop for pedestrians, don’t block intersections, alternate left and right at merges, yield right-of-way properly at 4-way stops, and generally know their shit. I chalk it up to two things – you don’t want to fuck with LAPD, and you don’t want to do ANYTHING that will impede the orderly creep of traffic and bring the wrath of your fellow Angelenos down upon you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rules-regarding-yielding-to-pedestrians-at-crosswalks/552823.md?page=1)