FLORIDA PEDESTRIANLAW ENFORCEMENT

GUIDE

A review ofFlorida’s pedestrian traffic laws

to help with warnings,citations and crash reports

July 2007

All citations are to the 2007 Florida Statutes

This edition is based on a document originallyfunded by a grant from the Florida Department ofTransportation. For more information on bicycleand pedestrian programs, law enforcement andvideos, contact:

Florida Bicycle AssociationPO Box 718Waldo, FL 32694-0718Phone/fax: 352-468-3430www.floridabicycle.org

Florida’s Pedestrian and BicyclingSafety Resource Center111 E Las Olas Blvd, Suite 608Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301Telephone: 954-762-5286Fax: 954-762-5278Toll Free: 866-831-2873www.cure.fau.edu/pedbike

State Safety OfficeFla Department of Transportation605 Suwannee St, MS 82Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450850-245-1500www.dot.state.fl.us/safety

Central Florida Visitors & ConventionBureau600 N Broadway, Suite 300Bartow, FL 33830863-534-2527www.visitcentralflorida.org

CONTENTSThe challenge of pedestrian traffic enforcement . . . . . . . .2UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL LAW SYNOPSIS . . . . . . . . .4Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Laws for pedestrians and drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Pedestrian travel along a street or highway . . . . . . . . . . . . .8No standing in the roadway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Stopping, standing, parking, or driving on sidewalk . . . . . .10Driver duty to pedestrian at vehicular roadway connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Driver duty to exercise care to avoid pedestrian . . . . . . . .11Crossing a roadway mid-block, not in crosswalk . . . . . . . .12Crossing a roadway in an unsignalized crosswalk . . . . . . .13Crossing a roadway in a signalized crosswalk . . . . . . . . . .15Crossings by visually or mobility impaired pedestrians . . .20

PRIORITIES FOR ENFORCEMENT & AWARENESS . . . . . .21Enforcing pedestrian duties to yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Enforcing motorist duties to yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Warning pedestrians using wrong shoulder . . . . . . . . . . .23Awareness of, and by, backing drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Driver-focused enforcement techniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24At uncontrolled crosswalks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24At signalized crosswalks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

2nd edition,(07/2007), Florida Bicycle Association

The challenge of pedestriantraffic enforcement

Many of Florida's streets and roads were laid outwhen there was little expectation of future pedestri-an use. New streets and highways were designed tofacilitate motor vehicle travel at higher speeds andto minimize delays at controlled intersections, sothat slowing or stopping to observe the legal duty toyield to pedestrians in crosswalks became an unac-customed inconvenience. Such conditions shaped aroad user culture in which pedestrian use is usuallysparse outside central business districts, and driv-ers and pedestrians have not acquired the sharedexperience that informs a sense of mutual obliga-tions. Traffic law enforcement must be based on arecognized code of behavior. The challenge ofpedestrian traffic enforcement is to promote greaterappreciation and observance of practices con-ducive to pedestrian safety and mutual courtesy.

Key traffic principles for pedestrians and driv-ers include:

● A road user's right of way must be exercisedwith "due care."Traffic laws state who must yield the right of way to

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whom, but do not assign an absolute right of way.Signals, crosswalk markings, lane markings andother traffic control devices do not confer anabsolute right of way for any user. Right of way mustbe exercised in a reasonable manner with "duecare" for the safety of one's self and of other roadusers.

● Pedestrians may cross at most mid-blocklocations, but must yield outside a crosswalk.

Mid-block crossing outside a crosswalk is allowed if,in either direction, the nearest intersection isunsignalized. When crossing mid-block, a pedestri-an must yield to any approaching driver, exceptwhen crossing in a marked crosswalk.

● A driver is obliged to yield the right of way toa pedestrian lawfully crossing in a crosswalk.Safe yielding requires stopping if the crossingpedestrian is in the driver's lane, the lane into whichthe driver is turning, or an adjoining lane. A condi-tion for crossing "lawfully" is that the pedestrianbegan crossing when it was legal to do so. A cross-walk is legally present on each leg of an intersectionexcept where crossing is prohibited by signs.Crosswalks are left unmarked at most unsignalizedintersections.

● If a sidewalk is provided, a pedestrian travel-

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ing along a street or road is obliged to use it ifpractical, otherwise to keep as far left as practi-cal on the shoulder or other area available onleft side of the roadway.On a highway, a shoulder is generally graded. On astreet with curbs, the leftmost graded area is simplythe leftmost portion of the roadway pavement, notincluding the gutter.

UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROLLAW SYNOPSISSectional citations not otherwise identified are tothe Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law (Chapter316, Florida Statutes).

DefinitionsCROSSWALK: "(a) That part of a roadway at anintersection included within the connections of thelateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides ofthe highway, measured from the curbs or, in theabsence of curbs, from the edges of the traversableroadway," or "(b) Any portion of a roadway at anintersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated forpedestrian crossing by lines or other markings onthe surface" [§316.003(6)].

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For purposes of the driving task, crosswalks mustbe assumed to be in place across both theapproach and departure legs of an intersection,regardless of whether markings are present, sincea driver at the critical decision distance for yieldingcan usually not determine whether the crossingstreet has sidewalks. A legal crosswalk extendingthe sidewalk corridor across an intersection leg ispresumed to be present unless the responsibleauthority has closed the crosswalk and postedsigns to that effect.

JAYWALKING: This commonly used term does notappear in traffic codes. It is generally understood to

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mean crossing a roadway in a manner that violatestraffic law, especially (1) crossing mid-blockbetween two adjacent signalized intersections and(2) entering an unsignalized crosswalk when anapproaching driver is so close as to make it difficultfor him to take evasive action.

MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROLDEVICES (MUTCD): manual published by theFederal Highway Administration and adopted by theFlorida Department of Transportation as the "manu-al of uniform traffic control devices which definesthe uniform system [of "traffic control devices foruse on the streets and highways of the state"]", pur-suant to §316.0745. The MUTCD is online athttp://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/.

PEDESTRIAN: "Any person afoot" [§316.003(28)].By custom, this is understood to include "a personafoot, in a wheelchair, on skates, or on a skate-board" (meaning of "pedestrian" as used in theMUTCD, Section 1A.13) as well as a person on afoot-powered scooter (nothing in Florida Statutesindicates otherwise). A person operating a bicycleon and along a sidewalk or crosswalk has the rightsand duties applicable to a pedestrian under thesame circumstances, but must yield to pedestriansand give an audible warning before passing one

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and remains subject to bicycle equipment require-ments (§316.2065). A person may operate an elec-tric personal assistive mobility device (Segway®) ona sidewalk subject to the duty to yield to pedestriansand to give an audible warning before passing; noother duties are explicitly assigned to EPAMD oper-ators, except the requirement for an operator underthe age of 16 to wear a bicycle helmet [§316.2068].

ROADWAY: "That portion of a highway improved,designed, or ordinarily used for vehicular travel,exclusive of the berm or shoulder. In the event ahighway includes two or more separate roadways,the term 'roadway' as used herein refers to anysuch roadway separately, but not to all such road-ways collectively" [§316.003(42)].

SHOULDER: not defined in Florida Statutes, butgenerally understood to be the (graded) portion of ahighway contiguous with the traveled way thataccommodates stopped vehicles, emergency use,and lateral support of base and surface pavementcourses (American Society of State Highway andTransportation Officials). Shoulders may be partial-ly or entirely unpaved.

SIDEWALK: "That portion of a street between thecurbline, or the lateral line, of a roadway and the

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adjacent property lines, intended for use by pedes-trians" [§316.003(47)]. The public right-of-wayreservation typically includes width for sidewalksand utilities. Unpaved sidewalks (beaten paths orother firm surfaces) may be practical for somepedestrian use, but generally do not meet technicalprovisions for "accessible trails" or "accessible[pedestrian] routes" as defined in federal accessibil-ity standards and guidelines.

Laws for pedestrians and driversPEDESTRIAN TRAVEL ALONG A STREETOR HIGHWAY

Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall,unless required by other circumstances, walk alongand upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehic-ular traffic [§316.130(3)]. Where sidewalks are notprovided, a pedestrian walking along and upon ahighway shall, when practicable, walk only on theshoulder on the left side of the roadway in relationto the pedestrian's direction of travel, facing trafficwhich may approach from the opposite direction[§316.130(4)].

Encroaching vegetation, cracks and upheavalcaused by tree roots, illegally parked vehicles and

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"other circumstances" can make even paved side-walks impractical to use at points and highly prob-lematic for those with mobility impairments. Wheresidewalk areas have been left unpaved, natural veg-etation or landscaping, wet or muddy conditions,nearby ditches, and hazards hidden in grass orunder plant litter (wasp nests, sharp objects, trip-ping hazards, etc.) can similarly make use impracti-cal.

Where such circumstances occur on a road withoutcurbs, pedestrians traveling along the road shoulduse the left shoulder, the graded area adjacent tothe traveled way on the left side. Where such cir-cumstances occur on a street with curbs, there is noshoulder per se, but the customary rule for pedes-trians to travel on the left side of the roadway, so asto face any traffic approaching in the adjacent lane,is still applicable when practicable. A driver and apedestrian who face each other are generally moreaware of each other and crash risk is thereforereduced for pedestrians who travel on the left.(Note: because of their much greater speeds andother differences in operating characteristics,cyclists do not enhance their safety by following thisrule. On the contrary, it increases a cyclist's crashrisk. Roadway cyclists are required to travel on theright.)

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Pedestrian travel on the left side may be impracti-cable or be disadvantageous if it requires makingotherwise unnecessary crossings of a multi-lanehighway, especially one with high traffic speeds orvolumes.

NO STANDING IN THE ROADWAY [§316.130(5)]

No person shall stand in the portion of a roadwaypaved for vehicular traffic for the purpose of solicit-ing a ride, employment, or business from the occu-pant of any vehicle.

STOPPING, STANDING, PARKING OR DRIVINGON SIDEWALK

● No person shall drive a vehicle except by humanpower on a sidewalk or sidewalk area, except on adriveway [§316.1995] An exception is made forelectric personal assistive mobility devices(Segway® Personal Transporters), if the personoperating an EPAMD yields the right-of-way topedestrians and gives an audible signal beforeovertaking and passing a pedestrian [§316.2068].By custom, a battery-powered motorized wheel-chair used by a person with a disability may also goon a sidewalk.● No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle on asidewalk [§316.1945(1)]. Although the pavement

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surface may change at a driveway, the legal side-walk extends across the driveway. Blocked side-walks force pedestrians to enter the roadway.

DRIVER DUTY TO PEDESTRIAN AT VEHICU-LAR ROADWAY CONNECTIONS [§316.125]

The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley,building, private road or driveway within a businessor residence district shall stop the vehicle immedi-ately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or any sidewalkarea extending across the alley, building entrance,road or driveway and to yield to all vehicles andpedestrians so close as to constitute an immediatehazard.

For a driver exiting a roadway at such a location, noduty to yield to pedestrians on a sidewalk area isspecifically stated. However, the driver must "exer-cise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestri-an" (see below).

DRIVER DUTY TO EXERCISE CARE TO AVOIDPEDESTRIAN [§316.130(15)]

Notwithstanding other provisions, every driver of avehicle shall exercise due care to avoid collidingwith any pedestrian or any person propelling ahuman-powered vehicle.

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CROSSING A ROADWAY MIDBLOCK, NOT IN ACROSSWALK

● A pedestrian crossing a roadway at any pointother than a (marked or unmarked) intersectioncrosswalk or a marked mid-block crosswalk shallyield to all vehicles on the roadway [§316.130(10)].

● A pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point wherea pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian cross-ing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way toall vehicles upon the roadway [§316.130(7)]. Since,at mid-block locations, this duty is already impliedby the provision above, the only effect of this provi-sion is at (rare) intersection crossings where apedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided.

● A pedestrian may not cross between adjacent sig-nalized intersections [§316.130(11)]. Adjacent sig-nalized intersections are generally found in largercentral business districts, less commonly in subur-ban areas. At suburban locations with adjacent sig-nalized intersections, the distance to detour to thenearest signalized crosswalk is often perceived asimpractical by pedestrians.

● Except in a marked crosswalk, a crossing pedes-trian must cross at right angles to the edge of theroadway, or by the shortest route to the oppositeside [§316.130(12)]

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CROSSING A ROADWAY IN AN UNSIGNALIZEDCROSSWALK (marked or unmarked crosswalk atintersection, or crosswalk marked mid-block)

● Where a traffic signal is not in place or in opera-tion, the driver of a vehicle shall yield, slowing downor stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestriancrossing the roadway within a (marked orunmarked) crosswalk when the pedestrian is uponthe half of the roadway upon which the vehicle istraveling or when the pedestrian is approaching soclosely from the opposite half of the roadway as tobe in danger [§316.130(7)].

● No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb orother place of safety and walk or run into the path ofa vehicle which is so close that it is impossible forthe driver to yield [§316.130(8)].A pedestrian who sets foot in a (marked orunmarked) crosswalk where traffic signals are not inplace, or are in place but not operating, obliges anapproaching driver to yield, so long as it is feasiblefor the driver to do so. The driver's duty to yieldapplies regardless of whether the crossing locationis controlled by any signs (Stop or Yield). Yieldingmay take the form of slowing or stopping; safe yield-ing requires stopping (and waiting) if the crossingpedestrian is in the driver's lane, in the lane intowhich the driver is turning, or in an adjoining lane.

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● When a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk to per-mit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver ofany other vehicle approaching from the rear shallnot overtake and pass such stopped vehicle[§316.130(9)].This is a critical provision for pedestrian safety.When one driver stops to let a pedestrian cross, thestopped vehicle may screen the pedestrian from theview of an approaching driver-and also screen theapproaching vehicle from the pedestrian's view. Thelaw therefore requires a driver approaching a vehi-cle stopped at a crosswalk from the rear to assumethat a pedestrian may be crossing, even when nonecan be seen at the moment. A violation of this rulecan cause serious injury because the overtakingdriver is traveling at speed. (To reduce this risk, sea-soned pedestrians pause at the outside edge of any"screen".)

● A pedestrian may not cross an intersection diag-onally except where and when crossing is author-ized by official traffic control devices [§316.130(14)].

Note on roundabouts: A roundabout functions asa loop of yield-controlled T-intersections.Roundabout entries are often designed with thecrosswalk marked about one car length before theyield line. A driver may pull up directly to the yieldline if no pedestrian is in the crosswalk. The car

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length spacing leaves the crosswalk unblockedwhen the presence of circulating traffic in the round-about obliges the driver to wait for a suitable open-ing. The same spacing also accommodates an exit-ing driver (without causing a blockage of the round-about), when the presence of a pedestrian in thecrosswalk requires him to yield.

CROSSING A ROADWAY IN A SIGNALIZEDCROSSWALK [§316.075]

Respective rights of way and duties of pedestriansand drivers at signalized locations depend on thesignal indications that are illuminated.

Red indication–

● pedestrians: Unless otherwise directed by apedestrian control signal, pedestrians facing asteady red signal shall not enter the roadway.

● drivers: Vehicular traffic must stop before thecrosswalk, stop bar, or if none marked, the inter-section. A driver may make a right turn after stop-ping on red, except where prohibited by sign, butmust yield to pedestrians and other traffic proceed-ing in accordance with signals. A driver making aleft turn from a one-way street onto a one-way (left-bound) street after stopping on red (where not pro-hibited by sign) must also yield to pedestrians and

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other traffic proceeding in accordance with signals.Green indication–

● pedestrians: A pedestrian facing a green signal,except when the sole green signal is an arrow sig-nal, may proceed across roadway in any marked orunmarked crosswalk (i.e., in the direction controlledby the signal face), unless directed otherwise by apedestrian control signal.

● drivers: Vehicular traffic facing a circular greensignal may proceed cautiously straight through orturn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibitseither such turn, but shall yield the right-of-way topedestrians lawfully within the intersection or anadjacent crosswalk.Vehicular traffic facing a green arrow signal maycautiously enter the intersection to make the move-ment indicated by such arrow, but must yield topedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk.

A pedestrian is considered to be lawfully within acrosswalk if he started crossing in it when it waslegal to do so, and is finishing crossing withoutundue delay. Under the provisions of this sectionand current MUTCD standards, a driver facing agreen arrow signal displayed by a properly operat-ing signal should not encounter a pedestrian in aparallel crosswalk. However, a driver facing either

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type of green indication may need to wait for apedestrian to finish crossing in the crosswalk imme-diately before him.

Steady yellow indication–

● pedestrians: A pedestrian facing a steady yellowsignal may not start to cross. A pedestrian facing asteady yellow signal (i.e., from a corner) will gener-ally not have sufficient time to cross before a redindication is displayed. The yellow indication doesnot apply to a pedestrian who started crossing (inthe direction controlled by the signal face) before itwas illuminated.

● drivers: For a driver already (still waiting) in theintersection to make a permitted left turn, the dutyto yield to lawfully crossing pedestrians (describedfor the green indication) still applies.Pedestrian control signals–

For pedestrians the directions of a pedestrian con-trol signal supersede those of the associated trafficsignal. Such signals may also be placed at mid-block locations. The meanings of the symbolic sig-nal indications (some older pedestrian signal headsstill use word messages) are assumed to be self-evident and are not described in law, although theyare described in the MUTCD (Section 4E.02). Still,many pedestrians and motorists do not understand

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the meaning of the flashing UPRAISED HAND indi-cation.

● steady WALKING PERSON (symbolizingWALK) indication: pedestrian facing the signalindication is permitted to start to cross the roadwayin the direction of the signal indication. Pedestrianshall yield the right-of-way to vehicles lawfully with-in the intersection at the time that the WALKINGPERSON signal indication is first shown.

● flashing UPRAISED HAND (symbolizing DONTWALK) indication: pedestrian shall not start tocross the roadway in the direction of the signal indi-cation, but any pedestrian who has already startedto cross on a steady WALKING PERSON (symbol-izing WALK) signal indication shall proceed out ofthe traveled way.

● steady UPRAISED HAND (symbolizing DONTWALK) indication: pedestrian shall not enter theroadway in the direction of the signal indication.Pedestrian signal indications apply to pedestrians,not drivers. Vehicular traffic is controlled by trafficsignal indications as described above.

At some locations a slower walker (who entered thecrosswalk during the WALKING PERSON indica-tion) may not have reached the far side of the road-way when the steady UPRAISED HAND indication

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is first displayed. However, some crossing time stillremains. Per the MUTCD (Section 4E.10), thepedestrian clearance time is comprised of threeintervals: the pedestrian change interval (the inter-val during which a flashing UPRAISED HAND indi-cation is displayed), the yellow change interval(when the steady UPRAISED HAND is displayedand the traffic signal for the parallel vehicular move-ment displays a yellow indication), and any redclearance ("all red") interval. The recommendedduration of the pedestrian clearance time is suffi-cient to allow a pedestrian crossing in the crosswalkwho left the curb or shoulder during the WALKINGPERSON indication to travel at a walking speed of1.2 m (4 ft) per second, to at least the far side of thetraveled way or to a median of sufficient width forpedestrians to wait.

Many pedestrian signal heads now incorporatecountdown pedestrian signals. These signalscount the seconds remaining in the pedestrianchange interval (flashing UPRAISED HAND dis-played). At the end of this interval, the countdownsignal briefly displays a zero and the steadyUPRAISED HAND indication is displayed. Asexplained above, some time still remains in thepedestrian clearance time.

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CROSSINGS BY VISUALLY OR MOBILITYIMPAIRED PEDESTRIANS

● When a pedestrian is trying to cross a publicstreet or highway, guided by a dog guide or carryingin a raised or extended position a white cane orwalking stick, an approaching driver is obliged tobring his vehicle to a full stop before arriving at suchintersection or place of crossing and, before pro-ceeding, shall take such precautions as may benecessary to avoid injuring such pedestrian[§316.1301].

● Only a blind person may carry a white cane orwalking stick in a raised or extended position on apublic street or highway [§316.1301].

● If a mobility-impaired person (using a guide dog orservice animal, a walker, a crutch, an orthopediccane, or a wheelchair), is in the process of crossinga roadway at an intersection, drivers approachingthe intersection must stop before arriving at theintersection and take reasonable precautions toavoid injuring such a pedestrian [§316.1303].

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PRIORITIES FOR ENFORCE-MENT & AWARENESSIn a national study,* the following conditions wereidentified as common contributing factors in pedes-trian-motor vehicle crashes.

Primary error by pedestrian–

Failure to yield, crossingat mid-block location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16.1%

Failure to yield, crossing at intersection . .8.9%

Traveling along roadwayin wrong direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5.2%

Primary error by driver–

Failure to yield at intersectioncrosswalk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14.4%(8.6% while turning; 5.8 % while going straight)

Backing vehicle (failed to detectpedestrian) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.9%

*W.W. Hunter, W.E. Pein, J.C. Stutts, Pein, and C.L. Cox,Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Types of the Early 1990s,Report No. FHWA-RD-95-163, Federal HighwayAdministration, 1996.

Relative frequencies of pedestrian crash types vary

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to some extent with development character (urban,rural), prevailing speeds, light condition, number oflanes, presence or absence of sidewalks, etc.

Enforcing pedestrian duties to yield (where &when required)

Enforcement of pedestrian duty to yield at mid-blocklocations without crosswalks requires observing adriver taking evasive action (braking or changinglanes) to avoid the pedestrian.

When enforcing pedestrian duties at or near signal-ized intersections, officers should concentrate onpedestrians who commit blatant violations—espe-cially ones whose example inspires a larger groupof pedestrians to follow, or who cause drivers tobrake or swerve—and pedestrians who seemimpaired or inattentive to conditions (especiallyunder dark conditions, when such individuals are athigh risk).

Enforcing motorist duties to yield (where &when required)

Drivers' failure to yield is frequently given by pedes-trians as a reason for not using crosswalks. Sincemid-block locations do not present the added com-plication of turning vehicles, pedestrians often findsuch crossings simpler to execute. Pedestrians canoften be observed crossing behind stopped vehi-cles at signalized intersections. Some do so to take

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short cuts, but many seek to avoid conflict withmotorists who may turn right on red (and often failto notice and yield to pedestrians approaching fromthe right) or who stopped in the crosswalk whenthey ran out of time to make permissive left turns ongreen. Continuous movements of drivers turningright on greencan induce a pack mentality thatleaves less assertive pedestrians insufficient time tocross. For purposes of promoting safe and properuse of signalized intersections, focusing on driverviolations at crosswalks is likely to be more effectivethan focusing on pedestrians. A technique for suchenforcement is described in the next section.

Warning pedestrians using wrong shoulder

Pedestrians observed walking (or running) alongroadways with their backs to traffic should general-ly be warned. Many pedestrians are not aware ofthe safety advantage of walking along the left side,so as to face approaching drivers, in places wheresidewalks are not provided. Judgment should beused; crossing a roadway so as to walk facing traf-fic may be risky or impractical under some condi-tions.

Awareness of and by backing drivers

Pedestrians hit by backing drivers who failed todetect their presence were most commonly struck

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in parking lots. Others were stepping into streetsbehind parked cars, or walking past driveways andalleys. Small children are especially vulnerable indriveways. The FHWA study cited above found that9% of pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions occurredin parking lots. Pedestrians in parking lots should beattentive to any signs of a backing vehicle and walkin front of cars when possible. Backing driversshould look over both shoulders and continue look-ing while backing.

Driver-focused enforcement techniquesAlthough crosswalk safety is a shared responsibili-ty, a motorist's duty of care is greater, since hecontrols a device capable of doing considerabledamage. Also, many pedestrians are children orhave physical or mental disabilities. Wheremotorists yield courteously and reliably, pedestriansare more likely to use marked crosswalks whereprovided. When conducting crosswalk enforcementwith plainclothes pedestrians as described below,officers can also cite drivers for incidental violationssuch as speeding, failure to use safety belts, drivingwith suspended license, and equipment defects.Civilian pedestrians can also be cited for impropercrossings.

Driver-focused enforcement at uncontrolledcrosswalksEquipment & materials: 4 traffic cones, distance-

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measuring device, enforcement/warning flyers,radios, high visibility vests, clipboards, log sheets.

Personnel: for one direction, 3 to 5: one plainclothespedestrian, one flagger, one spotter, one or two togive warnings or write citations (the pedestrian canalso be the spotter if equipped with a radio). Forboth directions, 6 to 9: one or two plainclothespedestrians, two flaggers, one spotter, 2 to 4 to givewarnings or write citations.

Location selection: a posted speed of 35 mph orless preferred; no stop or yield sign for approachingvehicles; no sharp turns on the approach to thecrosswalk; the markings should be of high visibility;a shaded location should be available downstreamof the crosswalk where officers can pull motoristsover; shade is also desirable for the spotter.

Reference cones: At least one traffic cone must beplaced upstream from a crosswalk on any side to beenforced at a distance (measured from the nearestedge of crosswalk) appropriate for the applicablespeed limit, as shown in the table below. These dis-tances were calculated from the equation for stop-ping sight distance used in the ITE formula for cal-culating the yellow change interval for a traffic sig-nal. They assume a driver approach speed equal tothe speed limit. Conditions are assumed to be day-light hours, a dry roadway, and negligible roadwaygrade:

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Speed limit (mph)15 20 25 30 35 40

Distance (feet) 46 73 102 140 183 234

Pedestrian procedure: Use plainclothes officer orcadet. Crosses only when civilian pedestrians arenot present and flaggers are ready to pull vehiclesover. Pedestrian must begin crossing before anapproaching vehicle reaches the reference cone.Pedestrian steps into the roadway, but does notstep into path of a vehicle unless the driver yields.If the driver yields, be sure any approaching driversin adjacent lanes will also yield before continuing. Ifthe crosswalk goes onto a median (raised island),the roadways on both sides are treated as separate,and the pedestrian leaves the median and com-pletes his crossing by following the same proce-dure.

Spotter: Watches for potential violations, radioswhen a vehicle approaches, keeps a log sheetrecord of stops, and notes flagrant violations.

Flaggers: Wear high-visibility vests. If you cannotsafely stop a vehicle, let it go.

Enforcement criteria: Drivers must yield (wait forpedestrian to cross) if pedestrian is in the motorist'shalf of roadway. Vehicles in the other half of theroadway must yield if pedestrian is within one laneof that half of roadway, which includes any centerturn lane. Drivers may be warned or cited at the offi-cer's discretion.

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Driver-focused enforcement at signalizedcrosswalksEquipment & materials: Same as above, except notraffic cones.

Personnel: 5 or 6 per corner; 2 plainclothes pedes-trians, 1 flagger, 1 spotter, 1 or 2 to warn or writecitations (a pedestrian can also be the spotter ifequipped with a radio).

Location selection: Signalized intersection withmany turning movements (permissive left turnsneed more enforcement), a history of pedestriancrashes, or pedestrian complaints; markings ingood condition; shade for flaggers and spotters.Drivers are less likely to yield at highly skewed inter-sections, which facilitate high-speed right and leftturns.

Pedestrian procedure: Pedestrian steps into cross-walk during the WALKING PERSON pedestrian sig-nal indication, but does not step in front of a vehicleunless driver yields.

Enforcement criteria: Drivers making turns at sig-nals must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.Drivers turning right on red must yield to crossingpedestrians.

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