What Is An "Unmarked Crosswalk?"

What is an unmarked crosswalk?

California Vehicle Code section 21954(a) provides:

(a) Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard. (Emphasis added.)

California Vehicle Code Section 275(a) defines an 'unmarked' crosswalk:

(a) That portion of a roadway included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersections where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles, except the prolongation of such lines from an alley across a street.

Essentially, Vehicle Code Section 275(a) codifies every parent's instructions to their children - "cross at the corner." Even if there are no painted cross walks, someone crossing at a corner of two streets which meet at right angles is considered walking within an unmarked cross-walk and approaching drivers have a duty to yield to them. Here is an example:

Pete Clancy is an Oakland personal injury attorney. He can be reached at 925-835-7500.