Crosswalks make it safer for pedestrians to get across a road, but their safety is a shared responsibility between both motorists and pedestrians. At Brazil Sweeney Law Group, we’re dedicated to providing advocacy to those injured in pedestrian accidents, fighting for pedestrian rights and sharing knowledge to help prevent accidents. For the safety of everyone on our roads, it’s important to know the laws, act responsibly and be prepared for others to make mistakes.
Minnesota Crosswalk Laws
A crosswalk is a designated place for pedestrians to cross a road, street or avenue. Typically, we think of the painted white rectangles leading from one side of the road to the other, but where the law is concerned, a crosswalk does not need to be marked to exist. Here are a few key elements everyone should know about Minnesota’s crosswalk laws and a link to the pedestrian statute 169.21 if you’d like to read it yourself.
- Vehicles must stop and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians who are crossing the street at a crosswalk or intersection, regardless of whether there are stop signs or traffic signals or whether or not the crosswalk is marked.
- All drivers must stop their vehicle before the marked lines of a crosswalk, stop sign, or signal.
- A vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk can proceed once the pedestrian has completely finished crossing the lane they are stopped in.
- When a vehicle has stopped at an intersection to allow pedestrians to cross, drivers of other vehicles approaching from behind are not allowed to pass the stopped vehicle.
- It’s unlawful for drivers to proceed through a group of school children crossing a street or highway. They are also not allowed to drive past school safety patrol members or crossing guards who are directing children across the roadway or holding an official signal in the stop position.
- Pedestrians must obey the traffic signs and signals posted at all intersections.
- Pedestrians may only enter a signalized intersection when the “Walk” signal is shown. They are not allowed to enter a crosswalk with a flashing or steady “Don’t Walk” signal.
- Pedestrians must not enter a crosswalk if a vehicle is approaching and it would be impossible for the driver to stop in time.
Crosswalk Safety Tips for Drivers
- Always stop for people crossing the road
- Look in all directions before turning
- Be alert and watch for people walking day or night
- Slow down for people and use extra caution when driving near children and older pedestrians
- Check for people crossing the road before passing stopped vehicles
- Keep your windshield clean and your headlights on
- Do not do use your cell phone while driving
- Do not drive if you’ve consumed alcohol or drugs
- Don’t park on a sidewalk, in front of a curb ramp or too close to stop signs or crosswalks
Crosswalk Safety Tips for Walkers
- Cross in well-lit areas and designated crosswalks when possible
- Stand clear of parked cars, buses, hedges and other obstacles that could block you from view before crossing
- Be alert and look for vehicles before crossing the road
- Continue to look for vehicles in all lanes of traffic when crosing the road
- Wear brightly colored clothing or reflective materials
- Carry a flashlight at night or use your cell phone flashlight to make you more visible to drivers
- Watch out for vehicles backing up in parking lots, driveways or on the street.
- Use a sidewalk if available
- If you must walk in the street, walk facing vehicles and stay alert
- Never run into the street
- Don’t use your phone or headphones when crossing a street
If You’ve Been Hit by a Car, We Can Help
Pedestrians are our most fragile road users. Those who disobey crosswalk laws put their lives at risk. If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, know that you can turn to the personal injury attorneys at Brazil Sweeney Law Group. We have experience with pedestrian accidents and can help you navigate the days to come by working on your behalf, helping you communicate with insurance companies and seeking compensation to cover all your losses. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review. There’s no fee unless we win.