Pedestrians in Georgia must follow state pedestrian laws designed to protect them and drivers alike. These laws detail where pedestrians can legally walk and cross the street, the rules they must follow when walking on a roadway or sidewalk, and when they have the right of way.
Knowing the pedestrian rules in Georgia can help prevent pedestrian accidents and the risk of severe, permanent injuries.
Where Are Pedestrians Required to Walk in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, pedestrians must use sidewalks when they’re available. Walking on the roadway is allowed only when no sidewalk exists or the sidewalk is inaccessible due to construction or temporary hazards.
When walking on a roadway without sidewalks, pedestrians must:
- Walk facing oncoming traffic so they can see approaching vehicles
- Stay as far off the roadway as possible
- Remain alert, avoiding distractions such as texting or headphones.
These rules promote pedestrian safety, reducing the chance of lifelong or fatal injuries. Remember that local ordinances in Georgia may impose stricter rules in city or residential areas, so staying informed about your community’s requirements matters.
Do Pedestrians Have the Right of Way When Crossing at a Crosswalk?
In Georgia, pedestrians generally have the right of way at marked crosswalks. Motorists must yield to pedestrians who step into a crosswalk. However, as a pedestrian, you should always exercise caution and ensure any approaching vehicles have enough time to stop safely.
Pedestrians should never assume that drivers see them. Always attempt to make eye contact and use hand signals to alert the driver of your presence before stepping out into the street. While right-of-way laws protect pedestrians, a failure to remain alert can result in a serious accident and potential liability in a pedestrian accident claim.
What Is the Definition of a Crosswalk?
To stay safe while walking and protect your legal rights after a pedestrian accident, you must know what Georgia law considers a marked or unmarked “crosswalk.”
- Marked crosswalks – These crosswalks feature painted lines on the roadway, indicating that it’s an area intended for pedestrian crossing.
- Unmarked crosswalk – Not every crosswalk requires painted lines or traffic signs. Any roadway intersection between two sidewalks is legally considered a crosswalk in Georgia.
Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing any painted crosswalk or intersection and remain stopped until such crossing movements end. If a pedestrian crosses the street outside a crosswalk and causes an accident, they may share liability.
What Should Georgia Pedestrians Do If the Crosswalk Signal Is Not Functioning?
If official traffic control devices fail to function or lack proper instructions, pedestrians must use caution. Georgia law requires pedestrians to:
- Look in all directions before stepping into the roadway
- Only cross when the street appears clear of approaching vehicles
- Treat the intersection as a yield situation, allowing drivers to stop safely before crossing.
Malfunctioning signals confuse drivers and pedestrians, resulting in serious accidents with lifelong consequences. Exercise extreme caution in these situations to prevent catastrophe and avoid legal issues.
What If the Crosswalk Is Unmarked?
While they can legally cross at unmarked intersections, pedestrians still have a duty to remain cautious. That duty includes the following:
- Crossing directly across the street rather than diagonally
- Yielding to vehicles if a driver cannot safely stop
- Avoiding sudden movements into traffic.
Even though pedestrians have the right of way, that doesn’t mean they bear no responsibility for avoiding accidents. Running out into the street or stepping in front of a fast-moving oncoming motor vehicle can mean the pedestrian, not the driver, is responsible for an accident.
Is It Legal for Pedestrians to Walk on the Highway in Georgia?
Pedestrians may walk on highways in Georgia under limited circumstances, including:
- In emergency situations
- When the roadway is a designated pedestrian path
- No alternative exists, meaning the pedestrian must walk on the left side, at a safe distance from the outside edge of the road, facing traffic.
Walking in the travel lane of a high-speed highway violates traffic laws. Even if pedestrians don’t contribute to accidents by walking on these roadways, they may still be ticketed and fined.
Is Jaywalking Illegal in Georgia?
“Jaywalking” is not a legal term in Georgia. People use the term to refer to crossing traffic lanes outside designated crosswalks. You’re likely to see plenty of pedestrians doing these things on any given day. Jaywalking is technically legal in Georgia as long as pedestrians yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching.
Common examples of jaywalking include:
- Crossing mid-block where no crosswalk exists
- Stepping into the roadway between intersections.
Pedestrians should always use marked crosswalks and obey signals to prevent serious accidents and avoid liability in a pedestrian accident claim.
Must Georgia Pedestrians Obey Georgia Traffic Laws?
Pedestrians in Georgia must obey traffic control signals, yield signs, and stop signs. (Bicycle riders must obey traffic signals and traffic signs as well.) These laws are designed to create safe conditions. Disobeying these rules can create dangerous situations, complicate liability in accidents, and potentially result in fines and citations. Key responsibilities include:
- Waiting for “Walk” signals before crossing
- Using crosswalks whenever possible
- Yielding to emergency vehicles
- Walking on sidewalks
- Facing traffic, or walking on the left side, when no sidewalk areas, pedestrian bridge, or pedestrian tunnel are available.
If a driver strikes a pedestrian while disobeying one of these rules, it doesn’t automatically mean the pedestrian is liable. However, courts and insurers will consider these things when determining fault. An experienced car accident lawyer will tell you that taking the extra time to follow these rules is your safest option in more ways than one.
Contact a Georgia Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you’ve suffered injuries in a pedestrian accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need an experienced attorney to protect your rights as you pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. The skilled pedestrian accident lawyers at Spiva Law Group have proudly represented injured Georgia residents since 1984. We’ve recovered over $500 million on their behalf. We’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free consultation.
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