Know Your Laws: Crosswalks

First things first: A crosswalk is any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere that is indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings.

The laws for following right-of-way at crosswalks can seem complicated, but make sure you remember these few important rules:

• When traffic control signals are not in place, drivers must stop when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk and remain stopped until they are completely across the lane of the stopped vehicle.
• It is necessary to slow down or stop when a pedestrian is on the half of the roadway on which your vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching closely from the opposite half of the roadway.
• A crosswalk does not have to be lined to be protected by the law. There is a crosswalk at every intersection from sidewalk to sidewalk, even if there are no lines on the road.
• If a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk in order to let a pedestrian cross, it is illegal for another vehicle approaching from the rear to overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

Also, pedestrians must not cross the street when a vehicle is approaching. The law says "No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible and dangerous to yield." It's not just the drivers that have responsibilities!

Note: Crosswalk laws vary slightly by state.