Chapter 345 – Pedestrians’ Rights and Duties

Chapter 345

PEDESTRIANS’ RIGHTS AND DUTIES

Section 345.010. Pedestrians Subject To Traffic Control Devices.

Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic control signals as heretofore declared in Sections 315.060 and 315.070 of this Title, but at all other places pedestrians shall be granted those rights and be subject to the restrictions stated in this Chapter.

Section 345.020. Pedestrians’ Right-Of-Way in Crosswalks.

A. When traffic control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.

B. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

C. Subsection (A) shall not apply under the conditions stated in Subsection (B) of Section 345.050.

D. Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.

Section 345.030. Pedestrians To Use Right-Half of Crosswalks.

Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right-half of crosswalks.

Section 345.040. Crossing At Right Angles.

No pedestrian shall cross a roadway at any place other than by a route at right angles to the curb or by the shortest route to the opposite curb except in a crosswalk.

Section 345.050. When Pedestrian Shall Yield.

A. Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

B. Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

C. The foregoing rules in this Section have no application under the conditions stated in Section 345.060 when pedestrians are prohibited from crossing at certain designated places.

Section 345.060. Prohibited Crossing.

A. Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a crosswalk.

B. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than in a crosswalk in any business district.

C. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway other than in a crosswalk upon any street designated by ordinance.

D. No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic control devices and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.

Section 345.070. Obedience of Pedestrians To Bridge and Railroad Signals.

No pedestrian shall pass through, around, over or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge when such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

Section 345.080. Pedestrians Walking Along Roadways.

A. Where sidewalks are provided, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.

B. Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction.

Section 345.090. Drivers To Exercise Highest Degree of Care.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Title, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise the highest degree of care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway.

Section 345.100. Distance To Be Maintained When Overtaking A Bicycle.

The operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle proceeding in the same direction on the roadway, as defined in Section 300.010, shall leave a safe distance when passing the bicycle, and shall maintain clearance until safely past the overtaken bicycle