Crosswalk – walk, run or drive!
There are many laws in Wisconsin that are intended to protect people who walk (and bike), on roadways. Both drivers and pedestrians have certain safety responsibilities that depend on both circumstances and common sense.
Drivers must:
· Yield to pedestrians when crossing a sidewalk
or entering an alley or driveway
· Yield to pedestrians who have started crossing
at an intersection or crosswalk on a “walk”
signal or a green light, if there is no walk signal
· Yield to pedestrians who are crossing the
highway within a marked or unmarked crosswalk
at an intersection where there are no traffic lights or control signals
· Not overtake and pass any vehicle that stops at an intersection or crosswalk to permit a
pedestrian or bicyclist to cross the roadway safely
Pedestrians must:
· Yield to drivers when crossing a road where
there is no intersection or crosswalk or where
the pedestrian does not have a green or “walk”
signal and where vehicles have a green signal
· Not suddenly move into the path of a closely
approaching vehicle that does not have
sufficient time to yield for a pedestrian
· Walk on and along the left side of a highway when not walking on a sidewalk. Note: This
law does not apply to bicycles. Bicycles operate under the same laws as other legal
vehicles on the road and should always stay on the right side of the road.
Pedestrian pointers to keep in mind:
· Pay attention
· A recent report from the Federal Bureau of
Transportation Safety concluded that the
pedestrian was solely at fault in 43% of car-
pedestrian collisions and that both were at
fault in 13% of collisions. You can significantly
reduce your chances of death or injury by
obeying traffic rules and being aware of
dangers posed by cars in your vicinity. For
example: 58% of pedestrian-car crashes occur while the pedestrian was crossing the
street. Pay close attention to cars in your vicinity. Make eye contact with drivers if possible.
Don’t “Drink and Walk”
· Unlike driving under the influence of alcohol or
other drugs, walking will probably not
result in the death or injury of someone else -
but it could very well result in yours. As an
inebriated pedestrian your chances of
suffering an accident increase significantly. If
you’ve been drinking, take a cab or a bus, or let someone sober drive you home.
Take extra care at night and at dusk
· Walking at night increases your chances of
death or injury. Drivers cannot avoid what they
can’t see. When walking at night, wear retro- reflective outdoor clothing or shoes or lights to
make yourself more visible. Avoid wearing dark
clothing. Most importantly, don’t assume
that drivers can see you. Always walk on the left hand side of the road or on the sidewalk.
This way, motorists can see you and will not be approaching you from behind.
Should you or a loved one find yourself in need of legal help this summer it is very important to contact an experienced attorney so you can discuss your rights and prepare the best available defense. At Jones Law Firm we can help. Contact us today to set up a free consultation. Please contact us by text or phone at (414) 775-7445 or email at laura@jlfwisconsin.com anytime.
*Any articles in the Libra or posted by Jones Law Firm LLC are not legal advice for a particular client or situation. Further no attorney-client relationship is intended or created with this post.*
