Crime & Safety

ASK A COP: All You Need to Know About Cars and Pedestrians in the Crosswalk

Patch Reader: When is it legal to continue through the intersection when a pedestrian is crossing the road? 

There is debate as to whether you can continue once they reach the center median (eg no longer walking on the street you will be traveling) or if you have to wait until they are on the other sidewalk.

Answer from CHP Officer Bradley Sadek:

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here is what California Law Says: "21950 (a) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection." 

To many, this section is about as clear as mud. California vehicle Code describes "Right-of-Way" as "The privilege of immediate use of the highway (section 525)." So, if a pedestrian steps into a crosswalk, having due regard for his/her own safety, they have established a right-of-way to that crosswalk. As the pedestrian traverses the crosswalk, they do not maintain a right-of-way to the crosswalk behind them. The driver of a vehicle is allowed to cross behind a pedestrian.

Find out what's happening in Concordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A 1950 superior court ruling (People v. Hahn) stated: "A pedestrian is entitled to as much space as will afford him a safe passage, one that can be taken without either physical interference or such a threat of interference that will reasonably cause him to step back or hesitate in his going. The pedestrian's heart, as well as his body, should be free from attack."

In this statement, the court made it clear that a vehicle must not cross a pedestrian's path, either before or behind, in such a manner that endangers or delays the pedestrian. The vehicle code also makes it very clear that a driver is required to exercise "Due Care for the safety of any pedestrian within any crosswalk, marked or unmarked."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.