Pedestrians and Crosswalks in Massachusetts: Be Aware of the Law.

There are numerous danger factors for pedestrians. Traffic signals, inadequate illumination, and a lack of crosswalks or sidewalks can contribute to motor vehicle-related injuries and fatalities to pedestrians. At the same time, pedestrians can lessen hazards by using crosswalks as much as possible, refraining from using the road’s shoulder during non-peak hours, and not darting across it at night when visibility for automobiles is worse. Wearing dark clothing while on foot at night will make it harder for vehicles to see you.

You can contact a Boston, MA personal injury attorney to know more.

Who Generally Has the Right-of-Way?

Typically, pedestrians are given the right of way. However, in some situations, pedestrians must give that right-of-way to automobiles. As a result of the public’s frequent misunderstanding of right-of-way principles and the presumption that pedestrians always have the right-of-way, numerous injuries and fatalities have occurred, virtually entirely involving pedestrians. Every one of us has seen instances where pedestrians cross the street despite a no-walk signal or outside a crosswalk. Although it is a reality, what does the constitution say?

According to Massachusetts law, a pedestrian has the right-of-way when crossing in a crosswalk or at a crossroads with either the walk signal or the green light.

Tips for Crossing Streets in Massachusetts Safely.

• Put aside your phone! We observe individuals walking off the curb while maintaining constant phone contact.
• Do not simply look left and right; also, check to be sure that no cars are turning into the road you are crossing from behind or in front of you.
• Wherever possible, use the crosswalks. They increase driver awareness and increase your chances of safely completing the crossing.
• If a driver is nearby, make eye contact before moving in front of their car. It does not necessarily follow that the driver is aware of your proximity just because they may be halted or traveling very slowly. They can begin to speed before glancing up if they do not see you.
• Check to see if there is not another car coming or passing the stopped car that could hit you if a motorist stops to allow you to cross the street.
• Never approach a truck that is stopped at a stop sign. Even if that means delaying a light cycle, wait till the truck passes. Tall truck grills may make it difficult for a driver to see pedestrians close to the grill. Tragic events may happen if a light turns green while you are in front of a truck.
• If you are sprinting and you see a street coming up, stop immediately and put your safety first. It is a significant error for far too many runners not to want to stop their legs from running.