Humans, the vulnerable road user.
In legal parlance, pedestrians are known as vulnerable road users. The reason is obvious. Designed to move lots of traffic quickly, our roads are dangerous places. To set foot or push pedal upon them necessarily implies both great faith and great risk. Since each of us spends some time as a pedestrian, a motorist and possibly a cyclist, to support compatibility when road usage is shared, a review of pedestrian law might be helpful.
More than just a person walking, in a crosswalk, a pedestrian is anyone in a motorized wheelchair or on a self propelled wheeled transport such as a skateboard, scooter, skates and sometimes, bicycles.
In a crosswalk, all classes of pedestrians have the right of way. But here’s the tricky part. A crosswalk exists at every intersection whether it is designated with lines or not. They may also exist between intersections (mid-block) but these are marked with white painted lines and signs.
Where there is no traffic signal to direct movement, a pedestrian wishing to cross the street at any crosswalk has the right to do so and the motorist has the obligation to stop. By stepping off the curb and onto the road, the pedestrian is declaring their intention to cross. They must use good judgment and give the approaching traffic reasonable distance and time to stop. Depending on the state, drivers must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian has cleared the lane in front of the vehicle (or into which it is turning) and the lanes on either side of it.
Don’t pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. Assume they are waiting for someone to cross. On multi-lane roads, motorists should, in fact, stop 30 feet before the crosswalk to enable approaching traffic to see that someone is crossing.
Don’t stop in a crosswalk. This places pedestrians in danger as they navigate around you.
When turning at a traffic signal, stop and remain stopped until pedestrians have cleared the lane into which you are turning. Keep your wheels straight as pedestrians pass to keep from hitting them if you are hit from behind.
Be sure to watch for pedestrians, particularly children when crossing driveways and whenever you back.
Remember. Whenever you are in the public arena your character and integrity are on display. When sharing the road, your awareness must always be focused on three concepts: safety, courtesy and patience. Because safety is part of the communal trust, our individual responsibility is to insure the well being of everyone we encounter. Courtesy, the civilizing aspect of civilization, speaks to respect and consideration for others. Patience enhances safe practices and is life’s greatest lesson. These tenets are the gold standard for operating in any social situation. Take them with you wherever you go.
This article was written by Karen Lally. A member of Animated Traffic Law Center’s Board of Directors.