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 Minnesota, drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians under several circumstances. According to Minnesota Statutes, drivers must yield to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks. This includes yielding to pedestrians when turning on a green light or making any turn on a red light after stopping. Additionally, drivers must 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 vehicle or 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 outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk. At intersections with traffic control signals, pedestrians are governed by the signal indications and should only cross during the designated walking period indicated by a walk signal. Local municipalities may have additional ordinances that further regulate pedestrian right of way, so it is important for both drivers and pedestrians to be aware of and comply with local laws as well.