Crossing The Road
Minn. Stat. 169.21 — the driver stops for a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk or at an intersection, and stays stopped until the pedestrian has passed the lane
The driver stops, and stays stopped. Where traffic control signals are not in place or in operation, the driver of a vehicle stops to yield the right of way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk, and remains stopped until the pedestrian has passed the lane the vehicle is stopped in.
Outside a crosswalk, the pedestrian yields. Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk yields the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway, and so does a pedestrian crossing where a tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided.
| Where the crossing is | Who yields |
|---|---|
| Where the crossing isIn a marked crosswalk | Who yieldsThe driver stops |
| Where the crossing isAt an intersection with no marked crosswalk | Who yieldsThe driver stops |
| Where the crossing isAnywhere else on the roadway | Who yieldsThe pedestrian |
| Where the crossing isWhere a tunnel or overhead crossing is provided | Who yieldsThe pedestrian |
| Where the crossing isBetween adjacent signaled intersections | Who yieldsCrossing is only in a marked crosswalk |
Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians cross only in a marked crosswalk. Pedestrians move, when practicable, on the right half of crosswalks. Walking along a roadway, a pedestrian walks or moves in a wheelchair, when practicable, on the left side or its shoulder, giving way to oncoming traffic; where usable sidewalks are provided, walking along the adjacent roadway is unlawful.
The right of way is not unconditional. No pedestrian suddenly leaves a curb or other place of safety and walks or runs into the path of a vehicle so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
The car behind, and the crossing guard. When any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk, or at an intersection with no marked crosswalk, to let a pedestrian cross, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear does not overtake and pass it. It is unlawful to drive through a column of school children crossing a street, or past a school safety patrol member or adult crossing guard holding an official signal in the stop position while directing children across.
The penalty. A violation of the stopping rules is a misdemeanor, and a second or later violation within a year of a previous conviction is a gross misdemeanor.
Due care, whatever else applies. Every driver exercises due care to avoid colliding with any bicycle or pedestrian on any roadway, gives an audible signal when necessary, and takes proper precaution on observing any child or any obviously confused or incapacitated person on a roadway.
Crossings at a working signal follow the signal, under sections that are not on this page. Who was at fault in a particular collision, and what a particular ticket means, are questions for a licensed Minnesota attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Minn. Stat. 169.21 — Pedestrian
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Minnesota attorney.