Information Sheet: Pedestrians

On average, a pedestrian is injured every seven minutes. Almost one-fifth of the children14 years old and younger that were killed in traffic crashes in 2006 were pedestrians. In 2006, a total of 331 children (ages 14 and younger) were killed in pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes. For this group, the highest number of fatalities(77%) occurred when crossing the street not at an intersection or crosswalk[1].

Elementary age children are at greatest risk because of their limited developmental skills. Their characteristics include:

  • Field of vision is 1/3 narrower than an adult.
  • Unable to determine the direction of sounds.
  • Cannot accurately judge the speed or distance of moving vehicles.
  • Lack the ability to understand how much time and distance is needed for a vehicle to stop.
  • Overestimate their own abilities and may be impulsive.
  • Are easily distracted and tend to focus on one thing at a time like a ball or friend.
  • Are easily hidden by bushes, parked cars, etc.

Rules of the Road

  • Under the law, pedestrians must obey traffic control signals. A pedestrian facing a “Walk” signal may proceed across a roadway in the direction of the signal, and cars must yield right-of-way to the pedestrian[2]. Pedestrians may not start crossing a street if a “Don’t Walk” or “Wait” signal is showing[3]. However, a pedestrian who has partially crossed a street should continue crossing to a sidewalk or safety island if the signal changes to a “Don’t Walk” or “Wait” signal while they are crossing. If there is no pedestrian control signal, traffic control signals displaying green, red, and yellow lights or lighted arrows apply to pedestrians as well as vehicles[4].
  • Pedestrians, when crossing a street in a crosswalk, have the right of way over vehicles if there is no traffic control signal[5]. Drivers must yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk if the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway in which the vehicle is traveling or it is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger[6]. A driver that is approaching another car stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian may not pass the stopped vehicle[7]. A pedestrian may not suddenly leave a curb or the side of the street and enter a crosswalk in the path of a vehicle so close that is it impossible for the operator to yield[8].
  • There are some situations when a pedestrian must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle on the road. For instance, if a pedestrian is crossing a roadway and they are not in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, he must yield right-of-way to a vehicle[9]. The pedestrian must also yield right-of-way to a vehicle if they are crossing the street in a place where they could be using a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing[10].
  • In some places, a pedestrian may only cross the street in a crosswalk. If a pedestrian is between adjacent intersections that both have traffic control signals, they may only cross in a marked crosswalk.[11]
  • A pedestrian may cross a roadway intersection diagonally only if and in the manner authorized by a traffic control device[12].
  • If a sidewalk is available next to a street, the pedestrian must use it and may not walk on the street[13]. If there is no sidewalk available, a pedestrian must if possible walk on the left side of the roadway or on the shoulder of the highway facing traffic[14].
  • Pedestrians may not stand in a roadway to solicit a ride, contribution, employment, or business from someone in a vehicle unless the pedestrian is asking for a charitable contribution and the solicitation has been authorized by local authority[15].

On the Safe Side

  • If under the age of 10, do not cross a street alone.
  • Learn and obey traffic signals, signs, and laws.
  • Stop at the curb or at the edge of the road if there is no curb, before crossing the street.
  • Do not cross in the middle of the street unless there is a crosswalk and signal or crossing guard.

Adapted from Safety Tips – Pedestrians and School Buses, Texas Department of Transportation.

  • Cross at corners and use crosswalks whenever possible; always stay within the lines of the crosswalk. Walk on the right side of the crosswalk.
  • If the “Don’t Walk” signal is flashing, finish crossing, but do not start to cross.
  • Look left-right and left again before crossing the street; cross when the street is clear and keep looking both ways while crossing.
  • Walk-- do not run across the street.
  • Never run into the street to catch a ball, chase a toy, friend, or pet.
  • Walk as far to the left as possible if there are no sidewalks (facing traffic). Step off the pavement when a car approaches.
  • Watch for cars that are turning and backing up.
  • Look for traffic when stepping off a bus or from behind parked cars.
  • Try to make eye contact with the drivers before crossing in front of them; you may see the driver, but the driver might not see you!
  • Hold hands with your parent or brother/sister in parking lots.
  • Be careful around parked cars.
  • Wear bright clothing in daytime and reflective clothing or tape from dusk to dawn.
  • Blind, partially blind or disabled persons may carry a white cane while walking. Others may not display such a cane on any public street or highway.

More Information

Texas Drivers Handbook, Texas Department of Public Safety, October 2004

Texas Safer Children, Texas Cooperative Extension, TexasA& MUniversity, 2002

[1]Traffic Safety Facts: 2006 Data, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration DOT HS 810 803.

[2] Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.002(b)(year).

[3]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.001(c).

[4]Tex. Transp. Code Ann §552.003(a).

[5]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.003(a).

[6]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.003(a).

[7]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.003(c).

[8]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.003(b).

[9]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.005(a).

[10]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.005(a).

[11]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.005(b).

[12]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.005(c).

[13]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.006(a).

[14]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.006(b).

[15]Tex. Transp. Code Ann. §552.007.