Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable people on California’s roads. Knowing the right-of-way rules can help both drivers and walkers stay safe. This is general information, not legal advice.
The crosswalk rule
California Vehicle Code section 21950 requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing within a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Drivers must also use due care for the safety of pedestrians at all times.
Shared responsibility
Pedestrians, too, must use reasonable care and should not suddenly leave a curb into the path of a vehicle. Even when a pedestrian shares some fault, California’s pure comparative negligence rule may still allow a recovery, reduced by their share.
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