![]() And California Vehicle Code Section 21954(a) provides that same level of protection for pedestrians in unmarked crosswalks at intersections as it does for pedestrians in marked crosswalks.įor example, San Francisco-a city that has recently rededicated itself to pedestrian safety-has taken that responsibility one step further. These occur at almost any intersection at where there is NOT a “No Crossing” sign posted. Unmarked crosswalks are simply crosswalks that are not specifically painted or signed as such. Crosswalks in residential areas however are often not marked. Some crosswalks even have flashing lights to warn motorists for pedestrians crossing. However, California law applies nmarked crosswalks as well.Ĭrosswalks are often marked with white lines or yellow at school crossings. Most of the time these laws are applied to designated crosswalks (those specifically painted and signed as pedestrian crossings). There are a couple of exceptions to the rule.ġ) Pedestrians are not protected if a “Do Not Cross” sign or light is posted or flashing.Ģ) Pedestrians must allow adequate time (and space) for a driver to see them and stop-they can’t simply step into a crosswalk without looking. That means that cars must come to a complete stop and allow pedestrians to safely cross before they continue on. It specifically says that all drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians within crosswalks. Pedestrians in Marked and Unmarked Crosswalks Are Legally ProtectedĬalifornia Vehicle Code section 21954 codifies legal protection for pedestrians. California law provides protection for pedestrians within crosswalks and can shift the responsibility (and liability) for protecting these individuals to the driver. Crosswalks are also most often located at traffic chokepoints (intersections) at which multiple lines of cars converge.īut people crossing the street on foot don’t have to take their lives into their own hands. Crosswalks are the point where foot traffic comes in closest contact with auto traffic. When you think about it, it’s not hard to understand why. Sadly, marked and unmarked crosswalk accidents are one of the most common types of pedestrian accidents in California. Roughly 800 pedestrians are struck by cars in San Francisco every year alone -many of them legally crossing the street at the time. The NHTSA’s National Pedestrian Crash Report shows that nearly 9% of all fatal pedestrian accidents occur while the victim is within a crosswalk. But did you know California law allows pedestrians to legally cross at unmarked crosswalk and affords the same protection as if they were in a painted crosswalk? Understanding Marked and Unmarked Crosswalk Accidents in California Most of the time that requires that victims prove they were in a crosswalk when the at fault driver hit them. Unfortunately victims must fight for their rights and prove that they were legally crossing the road at the time of the crash in order to seek compensation from the distracted, reckless, or careless driver who injured them. It may seem self-evident that if you’ve been hit by a car in California while walking that the driver is at fault.
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