Right of Pedestrians

Though most city roads have the provision of zebra crossing near traffic signals and other intersections, drivers seem to show a disregard for them as they can often be seen violating norms.

At places where zebra crossings are available, vehicles are required to be stopped behind them but at most such places, vehicles can be seen standing on these lines, which hardly leaves any place for pedestrians to cross.

“People do not have the habit of following simple traffic etiquette or maybe they are not even aware. There is a need to impart education on traffic etiquette so that people start following the rules,” said an elderly Jagjit Singh.

CLICK HERE to view what drivers must know about pedestrians!

What Are Right-of-Way Laws?

Right-of-way laws determine who must yield to whom when entering roadways, making turns, changing lanes, and crossing intersections in and out of crosswalks. Right-of-way differs depending on where the driver or pedestrian is located. It also depends on the circumstances in which a person or driver enters an intersection.

One thing to note is that Georgia’s right-of-way laws do not state who has the right-of-way. Rather, they state who is required to yield the right-of-way in certain instances. For example, a driver must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian who is inside a crosswalk.

What Are Georgia’s Rules for Crossing Intersections? 

Pedestrians must cross intersections at a crosswalk. While most people consider a crosswalk as the pathway across the intersection denoted with white lines (i.e., a marked crosswalk), it is important to note that there are both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

An unmarked crosswalk is a line between one side of the roadway and the other. The only way this differs from a marked crosswalk is that there are no distinguishing marks.

If a pedestrian is in either a marked or unmarked crosswalk, he has the right-of-way. Drivers must yield to pedestrians already inside these crosswalks, regardless of whether the driver has a green light or not.

What Responsibilities Do Drivers Have?

According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, motorists must stop and stay stopped for pedestrians at crosswalks. Drivers must stay put until the pedestrian has vacated the driver’s side of the road.

Georgia law also holds that a driver cannot overtake another motorist who has stopped for a pedestrian.

What Responsibilities Do Pedestrians Have?

Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to drivers outside of crosswalks. While you can cross the street outside of a crosswalk, you must wait until traffic has cleared. If a pedestrian is hit outside a crosswalk, they might be liable for any injuries he sustains.

While pedestrians do have the right-of-way in crosswalks, Georgia’s crosswalk laws dictate that “no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to yield.”

If you step into a crosswalk in front of oncoming traffic and suffer injuries in an accident, you might be liable for your own injuries.

The same safe driving practices that are taught in A-1’s Defensive Driving Class can apply to be a safe driver in a car and on a motorcycle. There is a lot of very useful and informative information in the class and it will apply whether you have been driving for years or you are a brand new driver.

For more information about class schedules or to see A-1’s 19 convenient locations call (770)962-9555 or visit us at www.a1drivingschools.com!