In California, pedestrians do not always have the right of way, though they generally do. In some cases, pedestrians can be partially or totally liable for a pedestrian accident. Pedestrians can sue for damages they sustain in an accident. However, their damages will be reduced by their degree of fault.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks. If there is a limit line before the crosswalk, stop at the limit line and allow pedestrians to cross the street. Some crosswalks have flashing lights. Whether or not the lights are flashing, look for pedestrians and be prepared to stop.
California joins more than 40 other states that already have similar rules. The law, which took effect in January, prohibits parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk or 15 feet where there are what are known as curb extensions — where a curb extends into the street at a crosswalk.
Are Drivers Required to Yield to Pedestrians? In California, the law does not state that a driver must wait for the pedestrian to fully exit the crosswalk or the street before they proceed on their way in their lane. A pedestrian must be safely out of the driver's path of travel for them to begin driving again.
California Pedestrian Right Of Way Traffic Laws If there's a crosswalk (those white lines painted on the road for people to walk across), cars have to stop and let people cross. This is true even if there's no stop sign or traffic light. If there's no crosswalk, pedestrians still have the right of way at intersections.
California Vehicle Code § 21954 CVC requires pedestrians outside marked or unmarked crosswalks to yield the right-of-way to close oncoming vehicles. However, drivers must still exercise due care and avoid hitting pedestrians who cross the street despite close oncoming traffic.
(a) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.
Be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary. Pedestrians always have the right-of-way. Here are some right-of-way rules at intersections: Without STOP or YIELD signs: The vehicle that arrives to the intersection first has the right-of-way.
Starting Jan. 1, 2025, it will be illegal to park, stop or stand a vehicle within 20 feet of a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) or within 15 feet of a crosswalk with a curb extension or bulb-out.
Motor vehicles must to yield to pedestrians who are crossing the street using a designated crosswalk, ing to CVC 21950. This law requires drivers to slow down and exercise caution to ensure pedestrian safety.