{"id":774,"date":"2017-03-05T17:27:10","date_gmt":"2017-03-05T22:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lvcat.org\/lvcat\/?p=774"},"modified":"2018-10-15T09:15:46","modified_gmt":"2018-10-15T14:15:46","slug":"pa-pedestrian-laws-dissected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.car-free.org\/lvcat\/pa-pedestrian-laws-dissected\/","title":{"rendered":"PA Pedestrian Laws Dissected"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/strong>
\nThough many people realize that crosswalks exist, there seems to be much confusion among the public as to what to do when encountering a crosswalk when walking or driving.<\/span><\/p>\n

The laws that dictate crosswalk existence and use are found in <\/span>Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, Title 75<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This article gathers vehicle code sections pertaining to pedestrian rights and responsibilities. Along with vehicle code excerpts, my personal comments have been added in italics. As I am not a lawyer, my commentary should not be construed as legal advice. Furthermore, these laws may be revised at any time.<\/span>
\nChapter 1. \u00a0General Provisions<\/b>
\n \u00a7 102<\/b>\u00a0Definitions<\/span><\/p>\n

Chapter 31. \u00a0General Provisions<\/b>
\nSubchapter A. \u00a0Obedience to and Effect of Traffic Laws<\/b><\/p>\n

\u00a7 3112.\u00a0<\/b>Traffic-control signals.<\/span>
\n\u00a7 3113.\u00a0<\/b>Pedestrian-control signals.<\/p>\n

Chapter 35. \u00a0Special Vehicles and Pedestrians<\/b>
\nSUBCHAPTER C – <\/b>RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PEDESTRIANS<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a7 \u00a03541.<\/b>\u00a0Obedience of pedestrians to traffic-control devices and regulations.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3542.\u00a0<\/b>Right-of-way of pedestrians in crosswalks.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3543.\u00a0<\/b>Pedestrians crossing at other than crosswalks.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3544.\u00a0<\/b>Pedestrians walking along or on highway.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3545.\u00a0<\/b>Pedestrians soliciting rides or business.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3546.\u00a0<\/b>Driving through or around safety zone.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3547.\u00a0<\/b>Right-of-way of pedestrians on sidewalks.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3548.\u00a0<\/b>Pedestrians to yield to emergency vehicles.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3549.\u00a0<\/b>Blind pedestrians.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3550.\u00a0<\/b>Pedestrians under influence of alcohol or controlled substance.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3551.\u00a0<\/b>Compliance with bridge and railroad warning signals.<\/span>
\n \u00a0\u00a7 3552.\u00a0<\/b>Penalty for violation of subchapter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Chapters<\/b>
\n \u00a7 3710.\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0Stopping at intersection or crossing to prevent obstruction.<\/span>
\n\u00a7 3711.\u00a0<\/b>Accidents involving death or personal injury.<\/span>
\n\u00a7 6109<\/strong>. \u00a0Specific powers of department and local authorities.<\/p>\n

102. \u00a0Definitions.<\/b><\/p>\n

“Business district.”<\/b> \u00a0The territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any 600 feet along the highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks, or office buildings, railroad stations and public buildings which occupy at least 300 feet of frontage on one side or 300 feet collectively on both sides of the highway.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comment:<\/i><\/b> This defines where bicyclists shall not ride on sidewalks, and pedestrian restrictions in <\/span><\/i>\u00a7 <\/i><\/b>6109, above.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

“Crosswalk.”<\/b><\/p>\n

(1) \u00a0That 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; and, in the absence of a sidewalk on one side of the roadway, that part of a roadway included within the extension of the lateral lines of the existing sidewalk.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comment:<\/i><\/b> A crosswalk exists under the following conditions: <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/p>\n