In conjunction with the City’s 2017 – 2021 “Strategic Plan” component entitled “Improve Pedestrian Crossing of City Trails”, the Engineering Division recently completed a study of 57 existing trail-roadway crossings that included existing and proposed improvements. The City’s Transportation Committee reviewed the study at their August 9, 2017 quarterly meeting and supported a concept to implement improvements incrementally over a 10 year program. One Committee Member suggested a public outreach effort to clarify the following common question related to crossings…”What are Driver and Pedestrian Responsibilities at Crosswalks?” Therefore, we are providing the information below as a reminder to both drivers and pedestrians.
State Statute “Rules of the Road” basically read as follows:
- 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 (as defined in the Statutes) crosswalk.
- No pedestrian, bicyclist, or rider of an electric personal assistive mobility device may 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.
- 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.
Unfortunately, not everyone follows the law so pedestrians should not assume all vehicles will yield. Please contact the Engineering Division with any questions at (608) 755-3171.
