Show All Answers

1. What is a crosswalk?

Crosswalks can be either "marked" or "unmarked." The California Vehicle Code defines a "crosswalk" as the portion of a roadway at an intersection, which is an extension of the curb and property lines of the intersecting street, or is any other portion of a roadway which is marked as a pedestrian crossing location by painted lines.

A "marked crosswalk" is any crosswalk which is delineated by white or yellow painted markings placed on the pavement. All other crosswalk locations are therefore "unmarked."

2. How are crosswalks used?

At any crosswalk (marked or unmarked), drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Crosswalks are marked mainly to encourage pedestrians to use a particular crossing.

3. Where are crosswalks normally marked?

Crosswalks are marked at intersections where there is substantial conflict between vehicle and pedestrian movements, where significant pedestrian concentrations occur, where pedestrians could not otherwise recognize the proper place to cross, and where traffic movements are controlled.

Examples of such locations are:

• Approved school crossings.
  
• Signalized and four-way stop intersections where there is significant pedestrian traffic and one or more crossing locations have been prohibited.

These examples follow the philosophy of marking crosswalks as a form of encouragement. In the first case, we are encouraging school children to use a crossing which is normally being monitored. In the second case, we are encouraging all pedestrians to avoid a prohibited crossing. Painted crosswalks should only be used where necessary to direct pedestrians along the safest route.

4. What is special about school crosswalks?

If a marked crosswalk has been established adjacent to a school building or school grounds, it is painted yellow if it is within 600 feet from a school building or grounds, and is known as a school crosswalk.

Crosswalks should be marked at all intersections on the "suggested route to school", available from your local school. They should also be marked where there is high conflict between vehicles and students (while crossing), where students are permitted to cross between intersections, or where students could not otherwise cross.

The best safety measure for school-age children is to educate them on how and where to safely cross the street.