Unlike drivers, pedestrians do not need to take classes or pass tests to use roadways and sidewalks. However, every time you are a pedestrian, you are still expected to know and understand the rules of the road, particularly the rules about right-of-way. Knowing these laws helps keep pedestrians safe and can also be necessary for determining fault in an accident.
Everyone should know the traffic laws for Gainesville pedestrians before using the road, as understanding them prepares pedestrians and motorists for safety. A diligent pedestrian accident attorney from Smith Hulsey Law could help you understand these rules and your legal options if a negligent driver has hurt you.
When it comes to traffic laws, Gainesville pedestrians do not have an absolute right-of-way. Instead, Georgia Code Annotated § 40-6-91 addresses the circumstances when pedestrians have the right-of-way, such as at crosswalks. Drivers are supposed to stop and remain stopped on the side of the roadway where the vehicle is traveling. The side of the roadway includes all lanes of traffic traveling in one direction on one side of the roadway. Drivers must come to a complete stop to allow pedestrians to finish moving through the street.
The rule to stop does not just apply to the vehicle closest to the pedestrian. It applies to all vehicles traveling on the same half of the roadway. Vehicles approaching a crosswalk with a driver stopped for a pedestrian have the duty to stop behind that vehicle and not attempt to pass them. On the other hand, pedestrians must ensure it is safe to enter a crosswalk and not suddenly step into the street when a vehicle is too close to stop.
In some states, traffic laws prohibit pedestrians from crossing or entering the road anywhere other than a marked crosswalk, but Georgia Code Annotated § 40-6-92 clarifies that Gainesville pedestrians can cross at places other than crosswalks. However, when a pedestrian passes at some place other than marked or unmarked crosswalks, the pedestrian must yield the right of way to vehicles on the road. If the pedestrian is already in the roadway when the vehicles approach, the pedestrian has the right to way until they clear the roadway.
While jaywalking is not illegal in general, when there are intersections with marked crosswalks and traffic control signals, pedestrians should not cross except for those crosswalks. When there are tunnels or an elevated crosswalk over the street, pedestrians must use those or yield to drivers on the roadway. When traffic control signals exist, pedestrians should obey those signs and not enter the crosswalk when “Don’t Walk” is flashing or steady.
The term sidewalk does not just refer to the concrete pathways people think of when they hear it. It also refers to any area between the curb and adjacent property lines. When possible, pedestrians should stay on the sidewalk, as they always have the right of way. This is true even if a driveway or other entrance point takes a vehicle over a sidewalk.
Determining who is at fault is critical when you have been injured in a pedestrian accident. To do that, it is vital to understand the rules regarding the right of way, as failing to yield the right of way can go a long way toward establishing fault.
To learn more about traffic laws for Gainesville pedestrians and how they may impact liability in an accident, schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable lawyers at Smith Hulsey Law. Our legal team could help you understand your options after an accident.
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