While each person is responsible for his or her individual safety, we can all do our part to keep others safe when we walk or drive. Make sure you know these Florida crosswalk laws before you get behind the wheel or take a stroll.

Sidewalk Use

Pedestrians must use sidewalks whenever provided unless a hazard obstructs their path or they have received other orders from police. If there are no sidewalks, a pedestrian must walk on the shoulder of the left side of the road while facing traffic. 

Crosswalks and Crossing Signals

There are two types of crosswalks, marked and unmarked. White painted lines running perpendicular to the road designate a marked crosswalk. Unmarked crosswalks are the extension of a sidewalk or shoulder that crosses an intersection.

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, regardless of markings, and other drivers may not overtake a driver stopped for a pedestrian. Pedestrians may only enter crosswalks when designated pedestrian traffic signals alert them it is safe to do so.

Right-of-Way

Drivers must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian when one of the following situations occurs:

  • The pedestrian is in a crosswalk and has a walk signal.
  • A “yield to pedestrians” sign is in place at an intersection.
  • Where there is no pedestrian signal, and a pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway while walking in a crosswalk.

Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to traffic if they are crossing a road in an area with a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crosswalk. Pedestrians crossing a road at any point other than a crosswalk shall also yield the right-of-way to vehicular traffic.

Tips for Pedestrian Safety

Drivers can improve safety for both pedestrians and themselves by avoiding driving while distracted, intoxicated, fatigued, or impaired. A pedestrian can be difficult to see due to their size and in the time it takes you to read a text or change the radio station, a pedestrian may have stepped into your path.

Make sure you give pedestrians plenty of time to cross and do not anticipate their speed, wait until they have cleared the intersection before you proceed.

Pedestrians can also take steps to keep themselves safe. Do not walk while distracted by a mobile device, book, or loud music. These distractions decrease your awareness of your surroundings and reduce your reaction time to oncoming traffic. Walking in a group and wearing light-colored clothing can make you more visible to drivers, especially at night.

Always check and double check for approaching traffic by looking left, right, and left again before proceeding, even if you have a walk signal. Mind turning vehicles and do not always assume they will wait for you even if you have a walk signal. Never assume a driver will see you or yield to you when crossing a street, so make sure you give yourself ample time to make the crossing.

Injured Florida Pedestrians Count on Montero Law for Legal Help

The pedestrian accident team at Montero Law Center is here to help injured pedestrians in South Florida file a claim for compensation after a serious accident.  Call 954-767-6500 or fill out our online contact form to tell us more about your accident and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options for recovering compensation from the liable party.