[gijoe]

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.

[Bogie Shooter]

Sometimes its hard to fix stupid!

[JAV0108]

Unless there is a sidewalk, always, ALWAYS face oncoming traffic when walking on a road or golf cart path.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by gijoe

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.

am i missin g something here... You asked a question and then answered it correctly and with references ????

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by JAV0108

Unless there is a sidewalk, always, ALWAYS face oncoming traffic when walking on a road or golf cart path.

Golf cart paths are on the golf course, no pedestrians. Walk on left on Multi-Modal paths and street side cart lanes.

[Warren Kiefer]

Originally Posted by JAV0108

Unless there is a sidewalk, always, ALWAYS face oncoming traffic when walking on a road or golf cart path.

I know of an instance (not recent) where a young man was walking with the directin of traffic. A construction truck came up behind him, the truck had a large piece of contruction protruding from the passenger side bed of the truck. The young man was struck in the head and killed instantly.The driver of the truck had forgotten about the protruding piece of material. Perhaps if the young man had properly been walking against traffic, he could have seen the protrusion and stepped out of the danger.

[Mudder]

I see people all the time walking/jogging/running with their backs to traffic....wouldn't they want to see what is about to hit them? Once in awhile if no one is behind me I stop to tell them they are in harm's way.......sometimes they are not at all happy that I am trying to save them from harm. Someone already said it, you just can't fix stupid!

[DeanFL]

Great info here folks - can ALWAYS depend upon TVrs. These are valid and informative tips.

We will be DesignCentering Nov and moving next Feb = Gilchrist. I plan to bikeride a bit and walk our puppy on neighborhood streets. With no sidwalks...well, a bit of a challenge.

Why are there no sidewalks in TV neighborhoods (at least the ones we've been around...)? I assume cost, and takes land away from home sales et al.

Also, off point but while I'm at it - we (in Lake Country here, Leesburg) must have water backflow devices, and have them checked each year. These are the "loop piping" in the front yard between homes. I don't see them in TV - any reason?

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

Great info here folks - can ALWAYS depend upon TVrs. These are valid and informative tips.

We will be DesignCentering Nov and moving next Feb = Gilchrist. I plan to bikeride a bit and walk our puppy on neighborhood streets. With no sidwalks...well, a bit of a challenge.

Why are there no sidewalks in TV neighborhoods (at least the ones we've been around...)? I assume cost, and takes land away from home sales et al.

Also, off point but while I'm at it - we (in Lake Country here, Leesburg) must have water backflow devices, and have them checked each year. These are the "loop piping" in the front yard between homes. I don't see them in TV - any reason?

Not sure why you'd need sidewalks 'inside' the neighborhoods. All semi-major roads (think Baily trl, St. Charles etc.) south of 466 have sidewalks and that works for me. I walk/run against the traffic of course but bike with it as that is the law.