Pedestrian Laws in California

Pedestrian Laws in California

It is crucial for both drivers and pedestrians to understand their obligations on and around the roadways, particularly their obligations to one another. Pedestrians are considered vulnerable roadway users, and any type of collision with a heavier motor vehicle is likely to lead to severe injuries or death. Pedestrian laws matter. Here, we want to discuss the most important pedestrian laws that individuals and drivers need to understand when they are around or on the roadway.

Pedestrians and Drivers – Shared Responsibilities 

When we examine California law, we can see that every driver is required to yield to pedestrians in just about every circumstance. Pedestrians do usually have the right of way, so long as they use marked crosswalks or intersections and obey “Walk” and “Do Not Walk” signs. Drivers and vehicles are required to slow down and yield to pedestrians who obey these crosswalks and traffic signals. 

However, there are not always intersections with pedestrian signals, and in these situations, pedestrians should only cross the roadway when the light is green, and the road is clear for them. If there is a crossing signal with a countdown clock, pedestrians should begin crossing when the sign is blinking and should reach the other side of the roadway before the light turns steady. If there is no countdown clock, pedestrians should not enter the crosswalk if the signal is already blinking.

Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks. This includes the right of way over motorists and bicyclists. If a vehicle needs to turn into a driveway or parking lot that passes over a sidewalk, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians.

Do Crosswalks Have to be Used?

In the event there is a crosswalk at an intersection or a marked crosswalk at an area that is not an intersection, pedestrians are required to cross in this area. This helps prevent pedestrians from crossing roads or intersections diagonally, which is illegal in the state unless there is a crosswalk or control traffic officer that permits it.

Failing to use a crosswalk or intersection when one is available could result in a pedestrian receiving a ticket for jaywalking. Even though this is not a crime, it could be punishable by a fine of up to $200.

It is legal, however, for a pedestrian to cross the road in areas where there are no crosswalks or intersections, as long as there is no oncoming traffic. If there is traffic present on the roadway, pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles that present an immediate hazard to them. In other words, they should wait until the path is clear before crossing.

An Overview of California Pedestrian Laws

As mentioned earlier, pedestrian laws in California provide that both drivers and those on foot share responsibilities to help prevent accidents and promote safer pedestrian crossing practices. State regulations establish who is considered a pedestrian, clarify the use of marked or unmarked crosswalk areas, and define right-of-way rules at intersections.

Below are some key rules and California Vehicle Code (VC) sections that outline important aspects of California pedestrian and crosswalk laws:

• Pedestrian Definition (VC 467): Under this code, “pedestrian” includes anyone traveling on foot or using human-powered devices, such as roller skates or non-electric scooters, but not bicyclists or electric scooter riders. This distinction helps ensure that all person traveling by foot remains protected under relevant traffic laws.
• Crosswalks and Intersections (VC 275 & VC 21950): A marked crosswalk typically features distinctive white lines, while an unmarked crosswalk often exists where two roads meet at right angles. Motorists must yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks and slow down for blind pedestrians, those with a guide dog, or anyone relying on designated walking paths near intersections.
• Crossing Outside Crosswalks (VC 21954 & VC 21955): While pedestrians generally must cross at designated intersections or marked crosswalks, they can legally cross elsewhere if there is no oncoming vehicle presenting a danger. However, at intersections controlled by traffic lights or police officers, pedestrians must adhere to traffic signals and not suddenly leave the curb, as doing so could create an unsafe condition or stop or delay traffic unnecessarily.
• Bike Lanes and Adjacent Facilities (VC 21966): If an adjacent adequate pedestrian facility exists (like a sidewalk), pedestrians must use it rather than a bike lane, as this prevents oncoming traffic from unexpected hazards and maintains safe designated crosswalk areas for all roadway users.
• Crossing Signals and Timing (VC 21456): A crossing light tells pedestrians when to begin crossing and when they must finish crossing. As previously explained, pedestrians should not enter a crosswalk once the signal has started to flash unless they have enough time to reach the other side safely. These electronic signals help reduce serious injuries by giving walkers clear instructions on how to navigate intersections.
• Yielding on Sidewalks (VC 21952): Motor vehicles entering driveways or parking lots must stop safely and yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk, maintaining the legal duty to protect vulnerable road users and preventing potential injury victims from harm.

Collectively, these rules—from understanding who qualifies as a pedestrian under California law to knowing when it is appropriate to start crossing—form the backbone of right-of-way guidelines designed to keep motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists safe. By following these principles, both drivers and pedestrians can help avoid pedestrian accidents and maintain safe, efficient use of the state’s roadways.

Recovering Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident

If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a pedestrian accident caused by the actions of another driver, we encourage you to reach out to a skilled Santa Ana personal injury lawyer immediately. A California pedestrian accident lawyer can examine the facts of your case and work to recover maximum compensation on your behalf. If another driver broke the law by failing to yield the right of way, you should be able to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering damages, and property damage expenses from their insurance carrier.