Adhering to the law will make roadways in St. Mary’s County and in Maryland safer for drivers, passengers, bicyclists, horse-and-buggy operators and pedestrians.
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Pedestrians and Crosswalks
Sec. 21-502. Pedestrians’ right-of-way in crosswalks. (2) The driver of a vehicle shall come to a stop when a pedestrian crossing the roadway in a crosswalk is: (i) On the half of the roadway on which the vehicle is traveling; or (ii) Approaching from an adjacent lane on the other half of the roadway.
(B) Duty of pedestrian – A pedestrian may not 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) Passing of a vehicle stopped for pedestrian prohibited – If, at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, a vehicle is stopped to let a pedestrian cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear may not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
The fine for a driver failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk is $80 and one point assessed on a driver’s license. If contributing to an accident, the driver must appear in court along with three points assessed on a license.
The fine for a pedestrian unsafely crossing in path of a vehicle is $50.
The fine for a driver passing a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk is $80 and one point, or if contributing to an accident, the driver must appear in court along with three points assessed on a license.
Sec. 21-503. Crossing at other than crosswalks. (a) If a pedestrian crosses a roadway at any point other than in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, the pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching on the roadway.
(C) Between adjacent intersections – Between adjacent intersections at which a traffic control signal is in operation, a pedestrian may cross a roadway only in a marked crosswalk.
The fine for a pedestrian failing to yield the right-of-way to an approaching vehicle or for a pedestrian crossing the roadway between adjacent intersections having traffic control signal is $50.
