The term “pedestrian” refers to people who are walking or otherwise “on foot.” When you’re the one behind the wheel, you should always be on the lookout for pedestrians, whether you’re approaching an intersection, driving in a residential neighborhood, looking for a spot in a parking lot, or driving in a commercial area.
Each state has its own laws regarding pedestrians and yielding the right of way to them. Here in Texas, the laws says that drivers must always give the right of way to pedestrians. Even if a pedestrian jaywalks or is walking someplace like on the side of the freeway where they don’t belong, you still have to give the pedestrian the right of way.
Don’t Let Your Car Become a Deadly Weapon
You are required by law to yield the right of way to pedestrians:
- At all intersections with lights and crosswalks
- At uncontrolled intersections without traffic signs or signals
- When the pedestrian is at a crosswalk and they have a WALK signal
- When the pedestrian is walking in a crosswalk and the light changes (you still have to give them the right of way)
- When there is no pedestrian control signal, but there is a green light
“In-roadway lights are special types of lights installed in the roadway surface to warn roadway users they are approaching a condition on or near the road they may not see, which might require them to slow down or come to a complete stop.
“In-roadway lights are used as an alternative to traffic lights where pedestrian safety is a concern and are typically placed at midblock crossings, school crosswalks, marked crosswalks on uncontrolled approaches, or in advance of roundabouts,” according to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Texas Driver Handbook.
Injured in a Pedestrian Accident?
If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian accident, we urge you to contact our firm to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the driver who struck you. Call today to see how we can help you.