Students: TN Laws Pertaining to Pedestrians
55-8-111. Pedestrian-control signals. —
Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words “Walk” or “Wait” or “Don't Walk” are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:
(1) Walk. Pedestrians facing such signals may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles; and
(2) Wait or Don't Walk. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing on the walk signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the wait signal is showing.
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 10; T.C.A., § 59-811.]
55-8-134. 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) does not apply under the conditions stated in § 55-8-135(b).
(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.
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 33; T.C.A., § 59-834.]
55-8-135. Crossing at other than crosswalks. —
(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) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 34; T.C.A., § 59-835.]
55-8-138. Pedestrians on roadways. —
(a) Where sidewalks are provided, it is 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.
(c) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 37; T.C.A., § 59-838; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.]
Whenever special pedestrian-control signals exhibiting the words “Walk” or “Wait” or “Don't Walk” are in place, such signals shall indicate as follows:
(1) Walk. Pedestrians facing such signals may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles; and
(2) Wait or Don't Walk. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed crossing on the walk signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the wait signal is showing.
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 10; T.C.A., § 59-811.]
55-8-134. 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) does not apply under the conditions stated in § 55-8-135(b).
(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.
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 33; T.C.A., § 59-834.]
55-8-135. Crossing at other than crosswalks. —
(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) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 34; T.C.A., § 59-835.]
55-8-138. Pedestrians on roadways. —
(a) Where sidewalks are provided, it is 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.
(c) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
[Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 37; T.C.A., § 59-838; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.]
