Vehicle and Traffic Laws

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law

Pedestrians’ Right and Duties Article 27

• Section 1150. Pedestrians subject to traffic regulations.
  Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic-control signals as provided
  in section eleven hundred eleven of this title, but at all other places
  pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject
  to the restrictions stated in this article.
• Section 1151. Pedestrians right of way in crosswalks.

  (a) When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in
  operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing
  down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing
  the roadway within a crosswalk on the roadway upon which the vehicle
  is traveling, except that any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point
  where a pedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided shall yield
  the right of way to all vehicles.

  (b) 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
  that it is impractical for the driver to yield.

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

• Section 1151-a. Pedestrians’ right of way on sidewalks. The
  driver of a vehicle emerging from or entering an alleyway, building,
  private road or driveway shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian
  approaching on any sidewalk extending across such alleyway, building
  entrance, road or driveway.
• Section 1152. Crossing at other than crosswalks.

  (a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other
  than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at
  an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon
  the roadway.

  (b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian
  tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield
  the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

  (c) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally
  unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and, when authorized
  to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with
  the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.

• Section 1153. Provisions relating to blind or visually impaired
  persons.

  (a) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this article
  every driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection or crosswalk
  shall yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing or attempting
  to cross the roadway when such pedestrian is accompanied by a guide
  dog or using a cane which is metallic or white in color or white with
  a red tip.

  (b) No person, unless blind or visually impaired, shall use
  on any street or highway a cane which is metallic or white in color
  or white with a red tip.

  (c) This section shall not be construed as making obligatory
  the employment of the use of a guide dog or of a cane or walking stick
  of any kind by a person blind or visually impaired.

• Section 1155. Pedestrians to use right half of crosswalks.
  Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half
  of crosswalks.
• Section 1156. Pedestrians on roadways.

  (a) Where sidewalks are provided and they may be used with
  safety it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon
  an adjacent roadway.

  (b) Where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking
  along and upon a highway shall when practicable walk only on the left
  side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach
  from the opposite direction. Upon the approach of any vehicle from
  the opposite direction, such pedestrian shall move as far to the left
  as is practicable.

• Section 1157. Pedestrians soliciting rides, or business.

  (a) No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting
  a ride, or to solicit from or sell to an occupant of any vehicle.

  (b) No person shall stand on or in proximity to a street or
  highway for the purpose of soliciting the watching or guarding of
  any vehicle while parked or about to be parked on a street or highway.

  (c) No person shall occupy any part of a state highway, except
  in a city or village, in any manner for the purpose of selling or
  soliciting.