Do you stop or do you go….

Do you know Florida’s Crosswalk Law?
Well, you should. We live in a small community where you can walk to almost everything and so many of our residence do walk, early in the morning and in the evening at sun set. Here is some information to help keep everyone safe and drivers from getting unnecessary traffic tickets.

Questions About Florida’s Pedestrian Crosswalk Law?

Florida law requires drivers to STOP when a person in attempting to cross the street at a marked pedestrian crosswalk. The pedestrian crosswalks are signified with a large yellow sign showing a figure walking. Some pedestrian crosswalks even have yellow flashing lights. Very few Florida drivers are aware of this law. Almost all tourists who visit our state are clueless of this law.

This law is intended to have drivers stop when a person is entering the pedestrian crosswalk. If the crosswalk is clear of pedestrians then you are not required to stop. Paying close attention to a person as they are near or entering these crosswalks is important. If you are unsure of whether or not a person intends to cross the road you are better off slowing your vehicle until you can make a clear determination. This law is far from perfect but it was designed to save people from being hit by a car as they crossed the road. Unfortunately, the lawmakers forgot to advise the Florida drivers and they installed confusing signs in the locations.

For more info CLICK HERE

State law on crosswalks is clear

According to an article in the Tampa Bay Times

The pedestrian crosswalks in some circumstances are located in the middle of busy roads with little indication of their existence. The signs posted in pedestrian crosswalks tell drivers to YIELD. Many drivers are under the impression that yielding means you should only slow down. This thought is completely wrong under Florida law when a person is in a pedestrian crosswalk. This law requires drivers to stop and to allow the person to cross the road safely. The police are actively issuing warnings and writing civil citations to drivers who violate the pedestrian crosswalk STOP law.

This same rule goes if a driver approaches a crosswalk that is marked with signs, but no flashing pedestrian warning lights are present. As long as the pedestrian is in possession of the crosswalk — has already stepped into it or steps into it on a vehicle’s approach, the driver must stop.

To read the full article CLICK HERE