Why can cars turning right still drive over a zebra crossing in the USA when the sign says 'walk'?

Question

I went on holiday to Florida & couldn't believe I had to take my life in my hands every time I crossed a road! Surely it would be better if no cars could go over the crossing when it's on 'walk' so everyone is safe?!

Answer 1

Because they are not paying attention, pedestrians have the right away. But the walk sign lights up simultaneous with the green light, they see green they turn right, even though you may have the right away. Americans have a "me first" attitude when driving, you can legally walk out in front of them, it would be the drivers fault but it might not turn out so good for the pedestrian. Answer they can't legally, but the will illegally.

Answer 2

Each state has their own traffic regulations, and there are many differences, such as even being allowed to turn right against a red light. Same is true for driving over a marked crosswalk in particular situations.

I can, only, address my response based on California Motor Vehicle Code. At an intersection, pedestrians have the "right of way," and, there is ALWAYS a presumed crosswalk (zebra crossing), whether marked, or not. The electronic "walk" or "don't walk" signal does not carry the force of law behind it. There is NO LAW that says a pedestrian may not cross on a red light. (most people are quite surprised when I point that out in a copy of the vehicle code)

This means that the ultimate, LEGAL, responsibility to avoid striking a pedestrian rests with the drivers of motor vehicles. So, the "walk" signal is meaningless, whether or not there is a pedestrian present. It is up to the witnessing officer to determine if a driver is not, properly, yeilding the right of way to the crossing pedestrian. I have seen citations issued to drivers turning right on an eight lane intersection, even though the pedestrian had JUST stepped off the curb on the OTHER side of the street. I have seen citations issued to drivers for not yeilding to people waiting for a bus, because the pedestrian MIGHT have decided to cross. On the other hand, I have seen pedestrians stranded on center dividers while cars zipped right by with apparent immunity.

When it comes time to actual prosecution of right of way violators, people have to remember what "right of way" actually means. The law defines it as describing which entity must YEILD the right of way, NOT which one has the right to any particular piece of the roadway. NO ONE has the right to place himself in front of a moving vehicle, until that vehicle has YEILDED.

Answer 3

Yes...love your idea. Lets make the people who follow the law and look out for peds not be able to turn right because a minority of people dont pay attention and break a law that is already on the books. The ped has the right of way for two reasons. One, yielding to peds is legally required in almost all cases, and two they have what is essentially a green light while the car has a light signifying to yield.

By the way, its not that big of a problem. You just take a look for cars before you cross. Yes, you have the right of way, but you still need to take into account that youre hard to see. Dont walk in front of cars expecting them to stop and you'll be fine anyway-would it kill you to wait 30 seconds for them to stop, then walk out there?

Answer 4

Thats true of a lot of countries. The problem is in the placing of the crossing. Corners are always going to be bad news.

Answer 5

I know. It's tough driving over here -- very hyper competetive but amazingly very few people on foot are run down by cars. Sort of a 'controled chaos' in the larger metro areas. Interstate system is pretty sane.....