Pedestrian injuries and fatalities are growing in the United States, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reporting alarming trends each year. In Michigan, thousands of pedestrians are killed annually, and the numbers continue to rise. To combat this issue, the NHTSA is working to raise awareness about pedestrian safety.

For these efforts to be effective, it’s crucial for everyone to understand crosswalk laws and their rights as pedestrians. This article breaks down Michigan’s crosswalk laws and important pedestrian rights that every walker should be aware of.

Michigan Crosswalk Laws

In Michigan, everyone is a pedestrian at some point, whether you drive or not. Understanding crosswalk laws is essential for preventing avoidable accidents. Here are the key laws you should know:

• Right-of-Way: Pedestrians always have the right-of-way at crosswalks.
• Drivers Yielding: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, even if the driver has a green light.
• Control Signals: If a pedestrian’s crosswalk signal shows “Don’t Walk” yet they are in a crosswalk, drivers must still yield if moving will put the pedestrian in danger.

Pedestrian Rights to Safety: Five Approaches to Avoid Pedestrian Accidents

The NHTSA promotes pedestrian safety programs that focus on an extensive approach to reduce fatalities. This safe system approach includes five parts:

1. Safe People: Encourages responsible behavior from everyone on the road, ensuring individuals can reach their destinations safely.
2. Safe Roads: Focuses on creating roadway designs that accommodate for human mistakes and prioritize the safety of vulnerable users. 
3. Safe Speeds: Supports appropriate speed limits through targeted outreach and effective enforcement.
4. Safe Vehicles: Promotes vehicle designs that help prevent crashes and minimize the impact on all road users.
5. Post-Crash Care: Guarantees quick access to medical care after accidents and creates safe environments for first responders to prevent additional incidents.

Conclusion: Safety Tips for Every Walker

While laws are set in place to protect pedestrians, personal safety ultimately relies on individual actions. Here are some essential safety tips for pedestrians in Michigan to keep in mind:

• Obey traffic signs and signals.
• Use sidewalks when available; if not, walk as far away from traffic as possible.
• Cross streets at intersections or crosswalks, after carefully looking for cars in all directions.

If you are injured by a negligent driver, reach out to a Michigan pedestrian accident lawyer to help you seek justice.