Motorists are responsible for doing everything within their power to avoid collisions with pedestrians, which include skaters, bicyclists and skateboarders in crosswalks as well as people walking.
Motorists must yield to pedestrians who are at intersections with traffic signals, as well as pedestrians crossing the driveway or street at any marked crossing, driveway or intersection in the middle of the block that does not have traffic signals.
There are other special considerations to take into account:
- Bicyclists: Bicycles are legally considered vehicles in Florida. However, bicyclists walking their bike across a street with pedestrians or riding across in a marked crosswalk will be treated as pedestrians.
- Mobility-impaired individuals: People with mobility issues have the right of way when being assisted by a guide dog or service animal. If they are using a walker, cane, crutch or wheelchair, vehicles are responsible for coming to a complete stop to allow them to proceed.
- School buses: Drivers moving in either direction must stop for school buses that are dropping off or picking up children. Drivers are required to always stop if moving in the same direction as the bus and must remain stopped until the bus withdraws its bus stop signal. This is to protect the children walking back and forth from the bus.
- School crossings: There are often crossing guards posted in areas where children will be crossing streets. Drivers must watch for special posted sign limits in those areas.
- Driveways: Drivers entering a road from a driveway or alley are required to yield to vehicles already on the road, as well as to any cyclists or pedestrians who are on the sidewalk.
For more information about right of way issues with pedestrians and how they could affect your injury claim, contact an experienced Bradenton, FL personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.