It is returning to school time here in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. You probably know the Alabama laws for driving a car, but do you know the state laws for walking?

It may interest you that originally the legal rule stated, “all persons have an equal right in the highway, and … each shall take due care not to injure other users.” That philosophy of everyone looking out for everyone else didn’t quite work out, so the state legislature stepped in and created these laws.

Pedestrians are boss at an unmarked intersection.

If there are no crosswalks or stop signs at an intersection. the pedestrian has the right of way. A vehicle is required to yield.

Pedestrians are required to obey crossing signals.

That means if there is a walk/don’t walk sign – follow what it says. In my experience, those signs are there for a reason.

It is illegal to cross an intersection diagonally. 

So yes, you may have to make two road crossings to get where you want to go.

Cars must yield to walkers on a sidewalk .

This law sounds odd. Do you need a law telling car drivers not to leave the road to hit someone on a sidewalk? But I have seen this law used. A vehicle was turning into a driveway and hit a child on the sidewalk. By the way, that child fully recovered and got an interest in the law. His mother tells me that he plans to become a lawyer.

Let me give you one more piece of advice. In my experience, a primary cause of pedestrian-intersection accidents is when the walker is on the right side of the car, and the driver looks left for oncoming traffic. Turning right, the driver often doesn’t see the pedestrian until it is too late.

Remember that even if you are legally correct, your body is no match for a large metal object. I strongly suggest you teach your kids how to anticipate danger.

Be safe, and I hope you enjoy the new school year.

If you suffer a personal injury, like an auto/railroad wreck or slip and fall , you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie for free. We want to help you get back on your feet.

Also, join us on  NBC 15 LawCall  here in Mobile every Sunday night at 10:30, right after the news. We will take your calls live. We do like answering your questions. We also have lawyers standing by at our offices on Monday mornings.

Allen Ritchie

Mobile Personal Injury Attorney

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