Laws regarding when drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the motor vehicle code, traffic code, or transportation code, for example. Cities and towns (municipalities) may also have local laws (ordinances) that govern when and where pedestrians or drivers have the right of way.

Although laws vary from state to state, in most states:

• Drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.

• Drivers must yield to a pedestrian crossing on a sidewalk in front of an alley, building, driveway, or private road.

• Drivers must yield to a pedestrian crossing the street and approaching the driver’s half of the roadway.

And in most states:

• Pedestrians must yield the right of way to motor vehicles if the pedestrian is crossing anywhere other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

• When there are traffic lights present, pedestrians may only cross when there is a flashing walk signal (often showing the seconds remaining in the walk period).

In South Carolina, the laws regarding the right of way for pedestrians are outlined in the state's traffic laws. Drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks. Additionally, when a pedestrian is crossing a sidewalk that extends across an alley, driveway, or building entrance, drivers must yield to them. This also applies to pedestrians crossing the street who are on the same half of the roadway as the driver or approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. Conversely, pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles when crossing the road at any point that is not a marked or unmarked crosswalk. In situations where traffic control signals are in place, pedestrians are expected to comply with the signal indications and only cross during the designated walk phase. Local municipalities may have additional ordinances that further regulate pedestrian and driver interactions, so it is important for both drivers and pedestrians to be aware of and adhere to these local laws as well.