There are many legalities that prove to be complex and confusing, especially when they are state-specific. If you are traveling on the streets of Texas, there are pedestrian laws you’ll want to know. Pedestrians laws are intended to help enforce safety on Texas roadways. We can all help avoid pedestrian accidents by obeying these laws.
Texas has specific laws that not only apply to drivers, but also pedestrians regarding marked and unmarked crosswalks.
The Texas Transportation Code (Title 7 Chapter 552):
Traffic control signals
- “Pedestrians facing a green signal may cross a roadway within marked or unmarked crosswalks, unless the only green signal is a turn arrow.
- Pedestrians facing a red signal or yellow signal may not cross a roadway.”
You should obey the above laws unless otherwise directed by a law enforcement of other officials.
Pedestrian right-of-way
Pedestrians should be aware of the “Walk,” “Don’t Walk,” or “Wait” control signals. A pedestrian can cross when the “Walk” control is on display. Drivers should yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian. You should not cross the street if the controls instruct you not to. As the pedestrian, you may continue if you are half-way across while the signals change to “Don’t Walk” or “Wait.”
What if there is no traffic signals?
You may come across crosswalks that do not display control signals. When this happens, the driver should yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian. The driver should also yield to the pedestrians if they are on the same side of the road as them, or the pedestrian is approaching the same side at an unsafe speed.
If a sidewalk is available, the pedestrian must use it unless the sidewalk is blocked off. When the sidewalk is unavailable for use, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road or on the shoulder.
The people of Texas have a responsibility to obey these pedestrian laws to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers.
