Chapter 20: Pedestrian Right of Way
Crosswalks, Marked and Unmarked
Pedestrians hold the right of way in both marked and unmarked crosswalks at intersections. This is one of the most frequently misunderstood rules by new drivers, who often assume the paint itself is what grants pedestrian priority — legally, the intersection corner grants it, paint or not.
Practical Safety
Never try to beat a pedestrian across by accelerating, and always leave a generous safety margin rather than passing close behind or in front of someone crossing. Pedestrians are unpredictable in ways vehicles are not — a person can stop, change direction, or drop something mid-crossing, and a driver needs enough margin to absorb that unpredictability safely.