gijoe
09-05-2013, 03:25 PM
Which side of the street am I supposed to walk on?
This is the LAW, in the state of Florida...
1) You must walk on the sidewalk, when there is a sidewalk
2) You are to walk FACING, or TOWARD oncoming traffic
3) You are NOT to walk in the same direction that auto traffic is moving.
Here is a copy of the Florida law outling which direction we are to walk:
PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL ALONG A STREET OR HIGHWAY
Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic [§316.130(3)]. Where sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the shoulder on the left side of the roadway in relation to the pedestrian's direction of travel, facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction [§316.130(4)].
Encroaching vegetation, cracks and upheaval caused by tree roots, illegally parked vehicles and "other circumstances" can make even paved sidewalks impractical to use at points and highly problematic for those with mobility impairments. Where sidewalk areas have been left unpaved, natural vegetation or landscaping, wet or muddy conditions, nearby ditches, and hazards hidden in grass or under plant litter (wasp nests, sharp objects, tripping hazards, etc.) can similarly make use impractical.
Where such circumstances occur on a road without curbs, pedestrians traveling along the road should use the left shoulder, the graded area adjacent to the traveled way on the left side. Where such circumstances occur on a street with curbs, there is no shoulder per se, but the customary rule for pedestrians to travel on the left side of the roadway, so as to face any traffic approaching in the adjacent lane, is still applicable when practicable. A driver and a pedestrian who face each other are generally more aware of each other and crash risk is therefore reduced for pedestrians who travel on the left. (Note: because of their much greater speeds and other differences in operating characteristics, cyclists do not enhance their safety by following this rule. On the contrary, it increases a cyclist's crash risk. Roadway cyclists are required to travel on the right.)
Pedestrian travel on the left side may be impracticable or be disadvantageous if it requires making otherwise unnecessary crossings of a multi-lane highway, especially one with high traffic speeds or volumes.
This is the LAW, in the state of Florida...
1) You must walk on the sidewalk, when there is a sidewalk
2) You are to walk FACING, or TOWARD oncoming traffic
3) You are NOT to walk in the same direction that auto traffic is moving.
Here is a copy of the Florida law outling which direction we are to walk:
PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL ALONG A STREET OR HIGHWAY
Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic [§316.130(3)]. Where sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the shoulder on the left side of the roadway in relation to the pedestrian's direction of travel, facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction [§316.130(4)].
Encroaching vegetation, cracks and upheaval caused by tree roots, illegally parked vehicles and "other circumstances" can make even paved sidewalks impractical to use at points and highly problematic for those with mobility impairments. Where sidewalk areas have been left unpaved, natural vegetation or landscaping, wet or muddy conditions, nearby ditches, and hazards hidden in grass or under plant litter (wasp nests, sharp objects, tripping hazards, etc.) can similarly make use impractical.
Where such circumstances occur on a road without curbs, pedestrians traveling along the road should use the left shoulder, the graded area adjacent to the traveled way on the left side. Where such circumstances occur on a street with curbs, there is no shoulder per se, but the customary rule for pedestrians to travel on the left side of the roadway, so as to face any traffic approaching in the adjacent lane, is still applicable when practicable. A driver and a pedestrian who face each other are generally more aware of each other and crash risk is therefore reduced for pedestrians who travel on the left. (Note: because of their much greater speeds and other differences in operating characteristics, cyclists do not enhance their safety by following this rule. On the contrary, it increases a cyclist's crash risk. Roadway cyclists are required to travel on the right.)
Pedestrian travel on the left side may be impracticable or be disadvantageous if it requires making otherwise unnecessary crossings of a multi-lane highway, especially one with high traffic speeds or volumes.