Crossing The Road
RCW 46.61.235 — the driver stops and stays stopped for a pedestrian in any crosswalk, marked or unmarked
In a crosswalk, the driver stops and stays stopped. The operator of an approaching vehicle stops and remains stopped to let a pedestrian, bicycle or personal delivery device cross the roadway within an unmarked or marked crosswalk when it is on or within one lane of the half of the roadway the vehicle is traveling on or turning onto. The half of the roadway means all traffic lanes carrying traffic in one direction, and includes the entire width of a one way roadway.
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 or personal delivery device 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.
Curb ramps. Where curb ramps exist at or next to intersections, or at marked crosswalks elsewhere, persons with disabilities may enter the roadway from the curb ramps and cross within or as closely as practicable to the crosswalk, with all other pedestrian rights and duties still applying. The driver's stopping duty does not apply under that rule.
| Where the crossing is | Who yields |
|---|---|
| Where the crossing isIn a marked crosswalk | Who yieldsThe driver stops and stays stopped |
| Where the crossing isIn an unmarked crosswalk | Who yieldsThe driver stops and stays stopped |
| 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. No one crosses an intersection diagonally unless official traffic control devices authorize it, or crosses at an unmarked crosswalk where an official sign prohibits it. The section on crossing outside crosswalks does not apply on a shared street.
The right of way is not unconditional. No pedestrian, bicycle or personal delivery device suddenly leaves a curb or other place of safety and moves into the path of a vehicle so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop.
The car behind. When a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk, or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, to let a pedestrian, bicycle or personal delivery device cross, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear does not overtake and pass it.
In a school, playground or crosswalk speed zone. An infraction of the stopping rule there is assessed a monetary penalty equal to twice the usual penalty, and it may not be waived, reduced or suspended.
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 Washington attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- RCW 46.61.235 — Crosswalks
- RCW 46.61.240 — Crossing at other than crosswalks
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Washington attorney.