Notes on Georgia's Pedestrian Law on The Tybee Times Online

Commentary by Tom Barton, 07/17/09, "Jaywalking to Justice!"

What IS Georgia's Pedestrian Law? Really?

By Robin Wright Gunn - Shared on FaceBook, 06/05/09 (Reprinted with permission)

In late May I researched the State of Georgia's laws concerning pedestrian and

automobile interaction, as background for a column that I decided not to write.

See below ALL the references in the State of Georgia's 2009 Driver's Manual

regarding pedestrians. It's very unclear exactly what drivers are supposed to do,

and pedestrians, for that matter.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF DRIVER SERVICES 2009 DRIVER’S MANUAL

ALL PEDESTRIAN REFERENCES.

SOURCE: http://www.dds.ga.gov/docs/forms/FullDriversManual.pdf

Compiled May 2009:

When traveling on a roadway that intersects with another roadway, if you are faced with a stop sign, but other traffic is not, you may proceed only after stopping and yielding the right-of-way to any other vehicle or pedestrian either in the intersection, or so close to the intersection as to make it dangerous to travel through the intersection. (page 38)

If you are about to enter or cross a highway from an alley, private road or highway you must stop and yield the right-of-way to all other pedestrians and vehicles already traveling on the roadway or sidewalk you are entering or crossing. (page 38)

Unless a sign posted at that intersection prohibits doing so, it is permissible to make a “right turn on red” at an intersection controlled by a traffic control light. You may proceed only after making a complete stop, yielding to all traffic and pedestrians, and making the determination that you can safely complete the turn. Unless a sign posted at that intersection prohibits doing so, it is permissible to make a “left turn on red” from the left lane of a one-way street onto a one-way street on which the traffic moves toward the driver’s left. You may proceed only after making a complete stop, yielding to all traffic and stopping for pedestrians, and making the determination that you can safely complete the turn. (p 39 – 40)

Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. When stopping to allow a pedestrian to cross in front of you, leave suffi cient room between your vehicle and the crosswalk so that approaching traffi c can see the entirety of the crosswalk. Slow down and prepare to stop if you are approaching an intersection where other vehicles are stopped, even though the traffic control devices indicate they are authorized to proceed. If they are stopped because they are allowing a pedestrian to cross the roadway, their vehicle may block your view of the pedestrian. (p 42)

Watching for Pedestrians When Making Turns At most intersections where there is a pedestrian signal, the “Walk” signal of the crossing street corresponds to the green light of the roadway you are traveling on. This means that when you are authorized to turn, pedestrians are authorized to cross the street onto which you are turning at the same time. Therefore, before making your turn, you must stop and remain stopped for any pedestrians in the crosswalk of the road onto which you wish to turn until they have cleared the lanes of traffi c upon which you are traveling. (p. 45)

Crosswalk Lines These white lines are painted across, or partially across the pavement. Sometimes they will be painted in a ladder pattern. When pedestrians are in the crosswalks, they have the right-of-way over motor ve hicles. Crosswalks are sometimes in the middle of a block in residential areas, and in some cases, a pedestrian crossing signal is located at the white line. (p. 76)

CHAPTER 9 - Sharing the Road

Sharing the Road With Pedestrians

Georgia’s Law Concerning Pedestrians:

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 on 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. “Half of the roadway” means all traffic lanes carrying traffic in one direction of travel. When making a left or right turn at any intersection. At stop signs, after coming to a complete stop and before proceeding. At traffic signals, even when the light is green, if pedestrians are still in crosswalk. When entering a street or highway from an alley, driveway, or private road. When approaching a blind person who is crossing a street or highway if he/she is carrying a white cane or being guided by a dog.

Crosswalks:

Crosswalks exist on all four corners of intersections even when they are not marked by painted lines. A crosswalk is the part of the pavement for pedestrian traffic where the sidewalk would extend across the street. Crosswalks can also exist mid-block if they are marked.

Respect Crosswalks:

When pedestrians are in crosswalks, they have the right of way over motor vehicles. Do not block crosswalks. When stopping at red lights or stop signs, always stop your vehicle before the crosswalk so pedestrians can cross safely. Even at crosswalks without traffic signals, drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in the crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling. “Half of the roadway” means all traffic lanes carrying traffic in one direction of travel.

Blind Pedestrians:

Pedestrians using guide dogs or white walking canes must be given the right of way at all times.

Always Remain Alert for Pedestrians:

When Driving Look for pedestrians on both sides of the street when approaching intersections, when turning, or near schools, parks, bus stops and other places people are likely to walk. Look behind your car for children or other pedestrians before backing up in driveways and parking lots.

Turning Right at a Red Traffic Signal:

Before turning right on red, drivers must come to a full and complete stop before the crosswalk. Do not block the crosswalk when waiting to make a right turn at a red light. This puts pedestrians at risk, forcing them to walk around your vehicle. After looking to your left to find a gap in traffic, you must look to your passenger side to ensure a pedestrian is not crossing in front of your vehicle.

Passing Stopped Cars in Lanes of Travel:

Use extreme caution when passing stopped cars on multi-lane roads. A pedestrian you can’t see may be crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. This is a frequent cause of pedestrian-related accidents. When you stop at a crosswalk on a multilane road, stop at least 10 feet before the crosswalk so a driver in the next lane can see the pedestrian.

Exiting and Entering Driveways:

When exiting or entering a driveway, alley, or parking garage, drivers must stop before the sidewalk area and proceed only after pedestrians have safely passed. Drivers waiting to turn left into a driveway must wait not only for a gap in oncoming traffic, but also for pedestrians to finish crossing the sidewalk portion of the driveway.

Vehicle Speed:

Pedestrians are less protected from the harmful effects of a crash than occupants of motor vehicles. Consequently, pedestrians are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in the event of a collision at low speed than are occupants of motor vehicles. When a collision occurs between a motor vehicle and a pedestrian at 40 miles per hour, there is an 80% chance that the pedestrian’s injuries will be fatal. (p 93)

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