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Crosswalks are essential for maintaining safety and order on the streets of Utah, ensuring that both drivers and pedestrians coexist on the roadways without causing harm to one another. However, a lack of understanding or awareness about Utah’s specific crosswalk laws can lead to accidents, injuries, and legal complications. As a pedestrian or driver in the state, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with Utah pedestrian laws to avoid unfortunate incidents and potential lawsuits.
Observing fundamental crosswalk laws and regulations may appear to be common sense, but many individuals are grossly misinformed about what these laws entail. Utah, like many other states, has its own set of regulations and laws. Auto pedestrian Utah accidents can be reduced by knowing the proper pedestrian behaviors. Whenever you’re out walking in Salt Lake City, here’s what you need to know to avoid causing an accident while using the crosswalk.
In accordance with Utah pedestrian laws, pedestrians are only permitted to cross a road if there is a crosswalk, pedestrian tunnel, or elevated walkway within 700 feet. A pedestrian should choose the shortest, most direct route to the opposite side while deferring to inbound traffic in this situation. Crossing a roadway erratically and carelessly is likely to result in an auto accident, as well as the need for legal representation and a substantial fine.
There is a legal crosswalk at every intersection, according to Utah crosswalk laws, even if there are no painted crosswalk lines. Even if there are no painted lines at the intersection, pedestrians must obey the WALK signal before beginning to cross. Continue crossing the street with heightened caution if the timer changes from WALK to DON’T WALK while you’re still crossing. Slowing down, halting, or reversing can cause a collision, especially if a vehicle is making a left turn into the intersection you’re crossing. Because it’s ambiguous about who is at fault in this situation, you should contact your attorney immediately, especially if you or a loved one has been injured. At Craig Swapp & Associates, we can manage cases involving pedestrians and auto accidents.
In addition, Salt Lake City pedestrian laws require pedestrians to proceed with caution whenever they cross intersections that don’t have pedestrian signals. This should only be done when facing a green traffic light. However, even if the pedestrian has the right-of-way, he or she should not abruptly walk or run into the path of a vehicle, expecting that the driver will see them and stop. Even though pedestrians do have a right of way, they shouldn’t deliberately put themselves in harm’s way. This kind of behavior can cause needless auto accidents and pedestrian injuries. If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto-pedestrian Utah accident, seeking the help of an experienced personal injury attorney can help ensure your legal rights are protected.
In Utah, there are different kinds of crosswalks to be aware of throughout the state, whether you are a pedestrian or a driver.
A school crosswalk can be identified by its distinctive design, which resembles a ladder and consists of a network of wide striped lines flowing from curb to curb. Regardless of whether or not the school is in session, a driver is required to stop their vehicle and wait for a pedestrian to reach the other sidewalk before continuing. This rule applies even if the person is crossing the street at an intersection.
For a crosswalk that consists of merely two solid parallel lines that span from curb to curb, a motorist has only to wait for a pedestrian to reach the opposite half of the roadway, which is the section of the street where the vehicle is not moving on, in order to proceed through the crossing.
What do Utah crosswalk laws say about intersections where there are no painted crosswalks at all? There is a designated law that pertains to this very situation. It says that drivers should consider every intersection to be a crosswalk, even if there are no distinguishable painted lines. In other words, if there is a pedestrian in the roadway attempting to cross, the driver must stop and give way, just as if the pedestrian were walking inside a painted crosswalk.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that pedestrians are permitted to walk in the roadway. According to Utah laws, pedestrians must use sidewalks when they are available. If no sidewalks are available, pedestrians should walk facing traffic. And, even though pedestrians have the right of way, they are not permitted to walk in or cross roadways in a manner that’s disruptive to vehicular traffic. This includes behaviors such as lingering in crosswalks and crossing diagonally across a roadway intersection.
The key to preventing accidents and maintaining safety in Utah’s crosswalks lies in paying attention to whether you are a pedestrian or a driver, understanding the rules, and respecting the rights and responsibilities of both pedestrians and drivers. To protect yourself and others from a pedestrian accident Utah law requires that you follow the established crosswalk rules and exercise caution when walking or driving. While pedestrians have the right of way, they must also act responsibly and avoid disrupting vehicular traffic. Drivers, on the other hand, must remain aware of their surroundings and be prepared to yield to pedestrians in any crosswalk situation, whether marked or unmarked.
Despite everyone’s best efforts, accidents can still occur. If you find yourself involved in a Salt Lake City pedestrian accident Utah attorneys Craig Swapp & Associates can help. At Craig Swapp & Associates, our team of experienced attorneys is ready to help you navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding car accident cases. We will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation and justice you deserve.
Don’t let a car accident derail your life. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident involving a crosswalk in Utah, you need the guidance of skilled legal professionals. The attorneys at Craig Swapp & Associates have a proven track record of success in handling Salt Lake City pedestrian accident and car accident cases, and we’re committed to fighting for your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation so you can find out what you may be entitled to in terms of compensation.
Written By: Ryan Swapp Legal Review By: Craig Swapp