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 Wisconsin, the laws regarding the right of way for pedestrians are outlined in the state's statutes, specifically within the Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations, Chapter 346 which pertains to the rules of the road. According to these laws, drivers in Wisconsin must yield the right of way to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks. Additionally, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians when they are crossing a sidewalk that extends across an alley, driveway, or building entrance. When a pedestrian is crossing the street and is on the same half of the roadway as the driver or approaching so closely from the opposite half to be in danger, the driver must yield. Conversely, pedestrians must yield the right of way to vehicles when crossing a road at any point that is not a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Furthermore, when traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians are only permitted to cross in accordance with the signal, typically indicated by a walk sign or flashing walk signal. Local municipalities may also have additional ordinances that govern pedestrian right of way, so it is important for both drivers and pedestrians to be aware of and comply with both state statutes and local laws.