Crossing The Road
G.S. 20-173 — with no signal working, the driver yields in a crosswalk; outside one, the pedestrian yields
In a crosswalk with no signal working, the driver yields. Where traffic control signals are not in place or in operation, the driver of a vehicle yields the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at or near an intersection.
A crosswalk does not have to be painted. The rule reaches an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection as well as a painted one. An ordinary intersection with no paint across it still has a crosswalk, and the driver's duty does not wait for a line to be drawn.
Outside a crosswalk, the pedestrian yields. Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection 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 |
| Where the crossing isIn an unmarked crosswalk at or near an intersection | Who yieldsThe driver |
| 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 do not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
Driveways and alleys. The driver of a vehicle emerging from or entering an alley, building entrance, private road or driveway yields the right of way to any pedestrian, or person riding a bicycle, approaching on a sidewalk or walkway extending across it.
The car behind. When a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk, or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, to let a pedestrian cross, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear does not overtake and pass it.
Walking along the road. Where sidewalks are provided, walking along the adjacent roadway is unlawful. Where there are none, a pedestrian walking along a highway walks, when practicable, on the extreme left of the roadway or its shoulder, facing traffic, and yields to approaching traffic.
Due care, whatever else applies. Every driver exercises due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian on any roadway, sounds the horn when necessary, and takes proper precaution on observing any child or any 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 North Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- G.S. 20-173 — Pedestrians’ right-of-way at crosswalks
- G.S. 20-174 — Crossing at other than crosswalks; walking along highway
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed North Carolina attorney.