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 Massachusetts, the laws regarding the right of way for pedestrians are outlined in the Massachusetts General Laws (MGL), specifically within the motor vehicle and traffic regulations. Drivers in Massachusetts must yield the right of way to pedestrians at all marked crosswalks and at unmarked crosswalks at intersections, as per MGL Chapter 89, Section 11. This includes yielding to pedestrians when turning on a green light and when making any other maneuvers that would cross a pedestrian's path. Additionally, drivers must yield to pedestrians when exiting from an alley, driveway, private road, or any building, in accordance with MGL Chapter 90, Section 14. Pedestrians, on the other hand, are required to 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 operation, pedestrians must obey the pedestrian control signals and only cross during the walk phase. Local municipalities may also have specific ordinances that further regulate pedestrian right of way, but these local laws must be consistent with state statutes.