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Possible loophole in PA yield to pedestrian law

After yet another left-turning car nearly hit me in a crosswalk and the driver claiming to be an off-duty police officer was upset after my gym bag collided with his rear door, I decided to check up on the PA laws for yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks (http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms/vehicle_code/chapter35.pdf - Section 3542). Reading this, it appears that the law only applies to cases "when traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation." I'm not sure if there are any laws giving right of way in a crosswalk with an activated crosswalk sign. Section 3322 only requires left-turning vehicles to yield to oncoming vehicles. Does anyone here know more about these laws?
rgrasmus
2013-12-17 11:05:18
See 3113. "Word "Walk" or walking person symbol.--Pedestrians facing the signal should proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles."
steven
2013-12-17 13:41:08
Thanks for the info - it makes sense in retrospect that it would be in that chapter. There should be some law similar to the 4 foot passing law but for vehicles travelling near pedestrians in crosswalks. Many turning cars forget that the rear part of the vehicle cuts the turn sharper than the front. For example, this article's headline (http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2013/12/13/man-injured-after-walking-into-side-of-bus/) was originally claiming the man walked into the side of the bus.
rgrasmus
2013-12-17 13:52:30
rgrasmus wrote:There should be some law similar to the 4 foot passing law but for vehicles travelling near pedestrians in crosswalks.
I think motor vehicles are supposed to stay at least 3 feet away from pedestrians in PA -- at least that's what a cop told me once when I was driving (!) over the crosswalk in front of Phipps, many years ago.
jonawebb
2013-12-18 10:31:04
jonawebb wrote:I think motor vehicles are supposed to stay at least 3 feet away from pedestrians in PA
If so, it's not mentioned in Chapter 75 with all the other laws about vehicles.
steven
2013-12-18 15:21:51
what? a police officer who doesn't know the law? get ahtta tahn!
hiddenvariable
2013-12-18 17:28:56
Every police patrol officer whether they walk, drive in a car or ride a bike has been provided with our quick reference guide of traffic laws as they relate to biking and walking including this very law. Unless this officer is on desk duty, he should have one of these pocket-sized guides in his possession.
scott
2013-12-19 15:10:19
This was years ago, probably before the quick reference guide was around. And, anyway, if an officer is making up laws that protect pedestrians, more power to him.
jonawebb
2013-12-19 15:48:59