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 Washington State, drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians under several circumstances, as outlined in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Drivers must yield 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 any private road or driveway. Furthermore, if a pedestrian is crossing the street and is on the same half of the roadway as the driver or is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger, drivers must yield. 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 only permitted to cross in accordance with the signal, and typically, a flashing walk signal indicates it is safe to cross, often with a countdown timer. Local municipalities may also have additional ordinances that govern right of way, so it is important for both drivers and pedestrians to be aware of and comply with local laws as well as state statutes.