Do you have to wait for a pedestrian to fully cross the street? What Georgia law says
Road rules say pedestrians generally have the right of way at a crosswalk.
However, a recent uptick in pedestrian accidents points to a larger issue of drivers failing to yield to those on foot, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In 2022, there were an estimated 7,508 pedestrians killed — a 1% increase from 2021 and the highest total since 1981, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
In Georgia, state law says drivers must “exercise due care” on all roads to ensure pedestrian safety.
What does that mean when you come upon someone crossing the street?
Here’s what Georgia law says about pedestrians:
Do you have to wait for a pedestrian to fully cross the street in Georgia?
The short answer: yes.
Under Georgia law, drivers are required to stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian — or anyone standing, walking, running or jogging — in a crosswalk.
The same rule applies when a pedestrian is approaching and “within one lane of the half of the roadway” on which a driver is traveling or turning, according to Georgia Code 40-6-91.
In short, “it’s illegal for drivers to squeeze by, drive around or cut off a pedestrian in a crosswalk, even if there’s room,” the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety said. “Forget yield. Remember STOP.”
Passing a vehicle that’s stopped to let a person cross is also against the law.
Pedestrians are required to watch for cars and mustn’t “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,” the law adds.
Other walking safety tips include obeying pedestrian signs and signals, only crossing at crosswalks or intersections, and walking far away from traffic when possible, according to the NHTSA.
When do drivers have the right of way?
Drivers aren’t always required to yield the right of way to pedestrians, according to Georgia law firm John Foy & Associates. This may be the case if/when:
- A pedestrian steps off the curb or into a roadway
- A pedestrian crosses outside a crosswalk without looking
- An ambulance, or other emergency vehicle, is responding to a call
A general rule of thumb is to be extra cautious when driving near pedestrians, experts say.