Bicyclists: Stay on the road
Bicyclists should not ride in crosswalks or alternate between the sidewalk and road by hopping the curb or using driveway cuts. Be consistent and predictable.
Motorists & Bicyclists: Yield to pedestrians
Motorists and bicyclists must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, both marked and unmarked.
Pedestrians: Don’t disregard traffic!
“No pedestrian shall enter or cross an intersection in disregard of approaching traffic.”
Code of Virginia §46.2-924
Crash Fact: More than 50 percent of pedestrian-motorist crashes occur at intersections.
Virginia traffic crash facts can be found on the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Web site. Go to Highway Safety, Traffic Crash Data.
Laws & Safety Tips - Sidewalks & Crosswalks
Walk the line
Pedestrians are not allowed to walk on roadways when sidewalks are available. If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians are required to stay to the extreme left edge of the road and walk facing the oncoming traffic.
Sidewalks
Pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks. Sidewalks are constructed to keep pedestrians safe.
Bicyclists should avoid using sidewalks. If they do use one, they should yield the right of way to pedestrians. Bicyclists should ride more slowly and be more alert on sidewalks -- particularly when approaching a pedestrian. When passing a pedestrian when on a sidewalk, the bicyclist preferably should be traveling no faster than the pedestrian. The bicyclist should give an audible warning such as “bike on your left!,” and wait for the pedestrian to move over.
Bicyclists on sidewalks should also slow down to watch for cars preparing to turn across a sidewalk into a road or driveway.
Motorists should look for pedestrians and bicyclists, and yield to them when turning across sidewalks. When crossing a sidewalk, motorists should scan enough of the sidewalk to see higher-speed bicyclists.
Even though they have the right of way on sidewalks, pedestrians can avoid crashes by paying attention to motor vehicle and bicycle traffic.
Pedestrians should make eye contact with motorists and bicyclists to be sure to be seen when crossing streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, paths, and driveways.
Crosswalks
Pedestrians are required by law to cross at crosswalks whenever possible.
Crosswalks may be marked or painted on the street. In addition, crosswalks occur wherever sidewalks meet the street and where streets intersect. This type of crosswalk is called an “unmarked crosswalk” in the Code of Virginia.
Crossing at crosswalks allows pedestrians to cross in locations where motorists expect them. However, crashes often occur at intersections, so motorists and pedestrians must be alert.
Scan and cross
Before crossing, stop, look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT (and over the shoulder) for approaching and turning traffic.
Many people cross streets in midblock locations. In some locations this is both legal and safer than other locations. Pedestrians crossing midblock should use high levels of watchfulness and care, since many motorists may not be looking for them. Especially in urban areas, motorists expect pedestrians to cross at crosswalks, and pedestrians should expect motorists and bicyclists to watch out for them.
Slow down!
Motorist speeding is a major factor in crashes with pedestrians.