Source: http://peds.org/issues/pedestrian_right_of_way/pedestrian_right_of_way/
Timestamp: 2014-07-26 07:06:31
Document Index: 526417368

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40', '§ 40']

Pedestrian Right of Way - the Law in Georgia
Download our flyer called “What Drivers Must Know about Pedestrians (PDF)” to learn the basics and see the most common driver violations. Or you can explore the actual law below. PEDS’ explanations appear in the gray boxes.
§ 40-6-91. Right of Way in Crosswalks: (a) The driver of a vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching and is within one lane of the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling or onto which it is turning. For the purposes of this subsection, “half of the roadway” means all traffic lanes carrying traffic in one direction of travel.
These images illustrate the law.
“Jaywalking” is not a legal term and does not appear in the Georgia Code. Even so, people often use “jaywalking” to describe a pedestrian crossing outside of a crosswalk. In most places, crossing the street outside of a crosswalk is perfectly LEGAL , as long as the pedestrians yield to traffic. These images illustrate the law.
§ 40-6-21. Meaning of traffic signals
a) The following meanings shall be given to highway traffic signal indications, except those on pedestrian signals:
(G) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian signal, pedestrians facing a steady RED ARROW signal indication shall not enter the roadway.
Many people misunderstand the meaning of flashing “Don’t Walk” signals. For pedestrians, a flashing “Don’t Walk” signal means “don’t start crossing.” It does not give drivers who are turning at a green light the right of way. Even on green, turning drivers must stop and wait for pedestrians to cross the street.
Don’t start. But if you’re already in the crosswalk, continue crossing.
End of walk cycle.
§ 40-1-1.(10) Definition of a Crosswalk: “Crosswalk” means (A) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; or (B) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.
Crosswalks exists at most intersections whether or not they are marked by painted lines.
§ 40-1-1. (57) Definition of a Sidewalk:
“Sidewalk” means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a railway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for use by pedestrians.
§ 40-1-1. (22) Definition of an Intersection: “Intersection” means (A) the area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict. (B) Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each roadway of such divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate intersection. In the event such intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate intersection. (C) The junction of an alley with a street or highway shall not constitute an intersection.
§ 40-6-203. Stopping or parking a vehicle prohibited:
-(A) On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge of a curb of a street;
-(B) On a sidewalk;
-(C) Within an intersection;
-(D) On a crosswalk;
-(A) In front of a public or private driveway;
-(B) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;
-(C) Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection;
-(D) Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or traffic-control signal located at the side of a roadway.
§ 40-6-144. Emerging from alley, driveway, or building:
The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, building, private road, or driveway within a business or residential district shall stop such vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across such alley, building entrance, road, or driveway or, in the event there is no sidewalk area, shall stop at the point nearest the street to be entered where the driver has a view of approaching traffic thereon. The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian on a sidewalk. No person shall drive any vehicle upon a sidewalk or sidewalk area except upon a permanent or duly authorized driveway.