MACUNGIE POLICE

The Macungie Police Department has received a few complaints about motorists failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

With the warm weather approaching more residents will be walking about the community. Police want to remind drivers about safe conduct with regard to pedestrians.

Pennsylvania vehicle code concerning right-of-way of pedestrians in crosswalks, states the following:

General rule

When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

Exercise of care by pedestrian

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 as to constitute a hazard.

Limitation on vehicles passing

Whenever any vehicle is stopped at any crosswalk at an intersection or at any marked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

Application of section Subsection (a) does not apply under the conditions stated in the code relating to pedestrians crossing at other than crosswalks. This offense carries a $50 fine plus court costs.

This law applies to pedestrians at crosswalks. The law does not apply to pedestrians crossing at random places on the roadway where no painted or inlaid markings or lights are absent on the roadway. Any pedestrian crossing the roadway should use caution and when practical, cross at a marked crosswalk. Crossing from between parked cars is always a poor choice to begin crossing the street.