Pedestrians Georgia Laws (PDF)
The recent pandemic has led people to spend more time outdoors, which risks increased pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Many feel confined to their homes during the pandemic, so they head to the park for a break from the confinement and for exercise. Pedestrians are in danger because of all the runners, cyclists, and drivers on the road.
Pedestrian fatalities are high, no matter where in the world you live. In 2018, there was a more than 3% increase in pedestrian fatalities from traffic crashes, which totals 6,283 deaths. With more people walking and biking on sidewalks, the number of these fatalities is expected to increase greatly. Whether you’re a resident who cares for their community and wants to really make a difference or a parent or caregiver looking out for your loved ones’ safety, you should do everything you can to make sure nobody has to be one of those 6,000+ statistics.
O.C.G.A. § 40-1-1. (10) Definition of a Crosswalk:
(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.
O.C.G.A. § 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.
(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.
(c) Subsection (a) of this Code section shall not apply under the conditions stated in subsection (b) of Code Section 40-6-92.
(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.
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-92. Crossing roadway elsewhere than at the crosswalk:
(a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway unless he has already, and under safe conditions, entered the roadway.
(b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway if he uses the roadway instead of such tunnel or crossing.
(c) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
(d) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices. When authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.
