Pedestrians in Georgia often suffer serious injuries or the loss of life when a vehicle strikes them. Understanding Georgia pedestrian laws may help you avoid such accidents. Pedestrian laws in Georgia include restrictions on where people can cross the street, and the rights a pedestrian has in an accident.
The following five Georgia pedestrian laws are ones every person living in or visiting the state should know. As always, speak with a Newnan pedestrian accident attorney if you are injured in a crash.
1. Crosswalks for Pedestrians
A pedestrian should cross the street in a marked crosswalk. When in that crosswalk, drivers must yield to the pedestrian, even if the light changes. This applies to both clear and unmarked crosswalks. Drivers owe the pedestrian a duty of care to do all they can to stop and avoid striking a pedestrian.]
2. Crossing Outside of the Crosswalk
Pedestrians should use a marked or unmarked crosswalk whenever possible. If they step out into the roadway beyond this area, the pedestrian must yield to the car that has the right of way. If the pedestrian enters the road because it is safe to do so, and then a car approaches, the pedestrian maintains the right of way, and the driver must stop to avoid the pedestrian.
Not that in situations where the pedestrian runs out into the street with no warning, a driver may not be responsible for the injuries that occur if they strike them. That only applies when the driver had no warning and no ability to avoid striking the pedestrian.
3. Lack of Sidewalks
Various areas of Georgia are more rural and lack sidewalks. Walking in these areas is inherently more dangerous. When there are no sidewalks, pedestrians can walk in the street. However, there are restrictions on where they can do so.
Pedestrians must walk on the shoulder of the road as far to the edge of the roadway as they can. They should also walk towards traffic, meaning that pedestrians must walk facing oncoming traffic. That way, the driver has a better chance of seeing the pedestrian.
4. Prohibited Actions
Pedestrians cannot:
- Walk in the roadway if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs to a degree that makes them a hazard
- Suddenly leave the curb of the road and step into traffic
- Suddenly step into traffic or move further into the roadway unexpectedly
- Crossing between adjacent intersections, which is known as jaywalking
- For any reason, walk into the path of a vehicle
5. Blind Pedestrians
In situations where the pedestrian cannot be seen, the driver remains responsible for doing all they can to avoid striking the pedestrian. Drivers must recognize that a person with a cane or a guide dog may not be able to see them, and as a result, must stay out of the way of that person and avoid any actions that put the pedestrian at risk.
Pedestrians Have a Duty of Care as Well
In every situation, car drivers must take every possible step to avoid striking a pedestrian. Pedestrians also have a duty of care to avoid sudden and unexpected movements that could cause accidents. Drivers must exercise due care in every case, but pedestrians must also act safely to avoid the risk of injury.
Contact our Newnan personal injury attorneys from Kam, Ebersbach & Lewis P.C. for a free consultation if you’ve been injured in pedestrian accident involving a vehicle.