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 Kentucky, the laws regarding the right of way for pedestrians are outlined in the Kentucky Revised Statutes (KRS). According to KRS 189.570, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians at all marked crosswalks and at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Additionally, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians when they are walking on a sidewalk that crosses a driveway, alley, or building entrance. When a pedestrian is crossing the road and is on the same half of the roadway as the vehicle or is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger, drivers must yield the right of way. 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. Furthermore, when traffic control signals are in place, pedestrians are only permitted to cross in accordance with the signal, and they must yield to vehicles if they are crossing against a red or 'Do Not Walk' signal. Local municipalities in Kentucky may also have additional ordinances that govern pedestrian and vehicle interactions, so it is important for both drivers and pedestrians to be aware of and comply with local laws as well.