Do Pedestrians Have The Right Of Way In South Carolina?
Pedestrian safety is a major concern in South Carolina, especially in busy areas like Rock Hill. As foot traffic grows and road safety becomes a potential issue, everyone should know the laws around when and where pedestrians have the right of way. If you were involved in an accident, contact our personal injury attorneys in York County.
Pedestrian Laws
In South Carolina, state traffic laws dictate when people on foot have the right of way, and they try to balance the rights and responsibilities of both pedestrians and drivers. These laws are particularly relevant in busy towns where foot traffic often shares the street with motor vehicles.
Legally, pedestrians have the right of way whenever they’re in a marked crosswalk. Drivers have to yield to anyone within those designated areas. Even when crosswalks aren’t marked, motor traffic still has to give the right of way at intersections that have traffic signals or stop signs.
Likewise, pedestrians have the right of way when they’re on sidewalks while a car is entering or leaving a driveway, parking lot, or any place where a sidewalk crosses a vehicle lane. Generally, a good rule of thumb to follow is to always give way to people on foot since they’re not protected in the same way that drivers are.
Times When Pedestrians Don’t Have the Right Of Way
Pedestrians are legally protected most of the time, but there are some situations where foot traffic has to give the right of way to vehicles. Some examples of such circumstances include:
- Jaywalking: A person is jaywalking anytime they cross the road outside of a marked crosswalk or intersections with an implied crosswalk
- Ignoring Traffic signals: Pedestrians are still required to pay attention to “don’t walk” signals and other signs
- Highways: Walking along or crossing highways isn’t allowed for safety reasons (except in emergencies)
Just like it’s best for drivers to assume foot traffic always has the right of way, it’s also a good idea for pedestrians not to assume cars will always stop if they cross in front of them. Even if they have the right of way, the driver may not be paying attention–and that could lead to a serious accident.
Responsibilities On Both Sides
South Carolina law puts a heavy responsibility on drivers to protect pedestrians, even in situations where pedestrians are acting carelessly. Besides stopping at crosswalks, drivers are expected to exercise “due care” to avoid hitting anyone on foot, regardless of what the pedestrian is doing.
Likewise, drivers should follow speed limits in places with heavy foot traffic. This is especially true in school zones, downtown areas, near convention centers, or anywhere else that has a lot of people walking around.
However, that doesn’t mean people on foot won’t be held liable if an accident happens because they aren’t following traffic laws. Pedestrians are still expected to follow the rules. They’re to cross the streets at intersections and crosswalks and pay attention to what’s going on around them.
Though not legally required, it’s not a bad idea for anyone traveling on foot to consider their clothing choices while they’re out and about. Bright or reflective clothing, especially at night, increases visibility for drivers and helps lessen the chances of an accident.
Potential Legal Consequences
Not giving the right of way to a pedestrian can lead to serious problems for drivers. Violating right-of-way laws can result in fines and points on the driver’s license, and if driver negligence is involved, the driver could face a personal injury lawsuit. In severe cases (say, if the pedestrian was killed), it could even lead to criminal charges.
But it’s worth noting that pedestrians who act recklessly could also share responsibility, even if they were seriously hurt. South Carolina operates within a comparative negligence system, which means fault can be split between parties in a civil case.
Prioritizing Safety For Everyone
Right-of-way laws are meant to protect everyone on the road. In towns like Rock Hill, following these rules is critical for preventing accidents and encouraging mutual respect between pedestrians and drivers.
Contact The South Carolina Injury Lawyers At Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys For Help Today
For more information, please contact our Personal Injury lawyers in South Carolina at Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve York County, Lancaster County, and its surrounding areas:
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – Rock Hill Office
212 E Black St,
Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 324-7574
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – Lancaster Office
204 A S Main St,
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 902-7065
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – Fort Mill Office
1201 Carolina Pl Suite 102D,
Fort Mill, SC 29708
(803) 902-4045
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – Lake Wylie Office
264 Latitude Ln #102A,
Lake Wylie, SC 29710
(803) 902-3608
Open 24hrs
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys – York Office
6 N Congress St,
York, SC 29745
(803) 902-7225
Open 24hrs