We all need reminders to drive more safely. And when walking around the city of Atlanta or whatever city you live in we could all be a little more aware of pedestrian safety issues. In my work I see the sad consequences of inattentive and careless drivers far too often.
Yesterday on this blog I discussed a few Georgia laws that relate to pedestrians. Here are few more such laws, along with my commentary.
Pedestrian Control Signals
40-6-22. Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words WALK or DON’T WALK or symbols so directing a pedestrian are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:
(1) Word or symbol message WALK --- Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal. Every driver of a vehicle shall stop and remain stopped for such pedestrians; and
(2) Flashing or steady DON’T WALK --- No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal. but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the WALK signal shall proceed to sidewalk or safety island while the DON’T WALK signal is showing.
If a lifetime of watching pedestrians is any guide, I would have to conclude most people have no clue how to cross at a signal. I'm not sure I do it right myself. But this law provides some guidance for those of us who need it.
If you're like me you need to take special notice that when you see the "Don't Walk" signal come on this actually means what it says. I confess I tend to look at the traffic and ignore the signal. Bad form and very dangerous as well.
Vehicles on Roadway Generally Have the Right of Way
40-6-96.(d) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
This is another important one. I'm afraid many people fail to follow this one, sometimes to their detriment. Vehicles generally have the right of way and pedestrians are generally supposed to stay out of the path of any vehicles that come along. The only time pedestrians have the right of way is if they are in a crosswalk and legally crossing a road.
Duties of Drivers and Pedestrians when They Meet
40-6-91.(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.
(b) 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.
(d) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.
Did you know about the "half of the roadway" rule? I didn't until I studied
these things for myself.
So there you have a few more of the laws that relate to pedestrians and drivers. One day soon I will share more.
Until then, let's all be safe out there!
