Crossing The Road
Transp. Code 552.003 — with no signal working, the driver stops and yields in a crosswalk; outside one, the pedestrian yields
In a crosswalk with no signal, the driver stops and yields. The operator of a vehicle stops and yields the right of way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway in a crosswalk when no traffic control signal is in place or in operation, and the pedestrian is on the half of the roadway the vehicle is traveling in, or is approaching so closely from the opposite half as to be in danger.
Outside a crosswalk, the pedestrian yields. A pedestrian yields the right of way to a vehicle on the highway when crossing a roadway anywhere other than in a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, or where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided.
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.
| Where the crossing is | Who yields |
|---|---|
| Where the crossing isIn a crosswalk, no signal in operation | Who yieldsThe driver stops and yields |
| Where the crossing isIn an unmarked crosswalk at 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, a pedestrian may cross only in a marked crosswalk. A pedestrian may cross a roadway intersection diagonally only if, and in the manner, a traffic control device authorizes.
The right of way is not unconditional. A pedestrian may not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and proceed into a crosswalk in the path of a vehicle so close that it is impossible for the operator to stop and yield.
The car behind. An operator approaching from the rear of a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk to let a pedestrian cross may not pass the stopped vehicle.
When the person hurt is disabled or visually impaired. If a collision resulting from the offense caused serious bodily injury or death to a visually impaired or disabled person, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 and 30 hours of community service to an organization or agency that primarily serves visually impaired or disabled persons, part of which includes sensitivity training.
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 Texas attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- Transp. Code 552.003 — Pedestrian right-of-way at crosswalk
- Transp. Code 552.005 — Crossing at point other than crosswalk
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Texas attorney.