<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<baltimore-city-law heading="Part 6 – Pedestrians">
  <section prefix="§" num="16-36" heading="Pedestrian right-of-way.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="In general.">The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing or stopping if need be, in order to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing a roadway within a crosswalk when:<para num="(1)">the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling; or</para>
      <para num="(2)">the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger from the vehicle.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Turning vehicle.">The driver of a vehicle making a right or left turn shall yield the right-of-way, slowing or stopping if need be, in order to yield to a pedestrian lawfully crossing a roadway within a crosswalk when:<para num="(1)">the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which said turning vehicle is entering, or</para>
      <para num="(2)">the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the half of the roadway opposite to that upon which said turning vehicle is entering as to be in danger from the vehicle.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Pedestrian’s duty.">A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield as otherwise required in this section.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(a), (c)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 68-187</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="16-37" heading="Emergency vehicles right-of-way.">
    <text>Pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to authorized emergency vehicles provided that these vehicles are operating with siren and/or bell.</text>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(b)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 68-187</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="16-38" heading="Crosswalks.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Overtaking stopped vehicle prohibited.">If a vehicle is stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross a roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Obstructing crosswalk prohibited.">No person shall stop or park any vehicle in such manner as to obstruct a crosswalk.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(d)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 68-187</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="16-39" heading="“Walk/Don’t Walk” signals.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="“Walk” signal.">While a “Walk” signal indication is displayed:<para num="(1)">pedestrians may proceed across the roadway toward said indication within any marked or unmarked crosswalk; or</para>
      <para num="(2)">where an exclusive all-pedestrian interval is provided, pedestrians may proceed across the roadway in any direction within the intersection.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="“Wait” or “Don’t Walk” signal — pedestrian not yet on roadway.">
      <para num="(1)">While a “Wait” or “Don’t Walk” signal indication, whether flashing or steady, controlling their direction of travel is displayed, pedestrians shall not enter the roadway.</para>
      <para num="(2)">In the case of an exclusive all-pedestrian interval, pedestrians shall not enter a roadway while any “Wait” or “Don’t Walk” signal indication, whether flashing or steady, is displayed.</para>
      <para num="(3)">This provision is to be effective between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. only.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="“Wait” or “Don’t Walk” signal — pedestrian already on roadway.">Any pedestrian who has entered an intersection on the “Walk” signal indication shall proceed without delay to a sidewalk or safety zone while the “Wait” or “Don’t Walk” signal indication is showing.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(e)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 68-187</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="16-40" heading="Controlled access highways.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="“Controlled access highway” defined.">For the purpose of this section, “controlled access highway” shall mean every highway, street, or roadway in respect to which owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have no legal right of access to or from the same except at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the public authority having jurisdiction over such highway, street, or roadway.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Entry by pedestrian prohibited.">No pedestrian shall be permitted to enter upon any controlled access highway nor any ramp or access road leading to or from any controlled access highway.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Leaving vehicle prohibited absent emergency.">
      <para num="(1)">No pedestrian shall debark from any vehicle proceeding upon any controlled access highway nor any ramp or access road leading to or from any controlled access highway except under emergency circumstances which preclude the possibility that the vehicle in which he is riding proceed in a reasonable and proper manner.</para>
      <para num="(2)">In such case, said pedestrian may proceed only to the nearest emergency telephone.  He may not solicit a ride or assistance from any passing vehicle.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(f)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 68-187</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="16-41" heading="Solicitation on highways.">
    <para num="(a)" heading="Prohibited conduct – In general.">No person shall stand within a highway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment, or business from the occupant of any vehicle or for the purpose of presenting a gift to or performing a service, whether gratuitous or for a fee, for the occupant of a vehicle.</para>
    <para num="(b)" heading="Prohibited conduct – Parents or guardians of minors.">No parent or guardian shall knowingly permit any minor under the age of 18 years to violate the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.</para>
    <para num="(c)" heading="Exception.">This section does not prohibit the solicitation by any person for lawful employment or business from the occupant of any vehicle which is properly and lawfully parked or properly and lawfully standing out of the free flow of traffic.</para>
    <para num="(d)" heading="Enforcement – Adult offenders.">
      <para num="(1)">A police officer who finds any person 18 years of age or older violating provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall order the person to cease and desist.  Persons failing to comply with this order may be issued a citation containing their signed promise to pay the fine provided or to appear in court for trial.</para>
      <para num="(2)">The officer is not required to take the person into physical custody for the violation unless:<para num="(i)">the person charged does not furnish satisfactory evidence of identity; or</para>
        <para num="(ii)">the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person charged will disregard a written promise to appear.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">A person receiving a citation under this section shall pay the fine provided for in the citation to the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City, or stand trial for the violation.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(e)" heading="Enforcement – Minors.">
      <para num="(1)">A police officer who finds any person under 18 years of age violating provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall order the person to cease and desist.</para>
      <para num="(2)">Any person under 18 years of age who fails to comply with this order:<para num="(i)">may be taken into custody; and</para>
        <para num="(ii)">subsequent to recording information necessary to carry out the purposes of this section, shall be promptly released to their parent or guardian.</para>
      </para>
      <para num="(3)">The released person under 18 years of age shall be referred to the Baltimore City Police Department’s court sanctioned pre-intake adjustment program.</para>
    </para>
    <para num="(f)" heading="Penalties.">
      <para num="(1)">Any parent or guardian who shall violate subsection (b) of this section after having received written notice of their child or ward having committed a violation of subsection (a) occurring within the preceding 12 months, may receive a written citation and is subject to a fine of $50 for each offense.</para>
      <para num="(2)">Any person 18 years of age or older violating the provisions of subsection (a) of this section after being ordered to cease and desist is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined $50.</para>
    </para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(g), (j)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 68-187</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 85-449</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="16-42" heading="Control of traffic by officers.">
    <text>Nothing in this subtitle affects or limits the right of police officers or school crossing guards to control vehicular and pedestrian traffic in cases of emergency, special events, or other unusual traffic conditions.</text>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(h)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 68-187</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 85-449</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="16-43" heading="Exercise of due care.">
    <text>In addition to the foregoing provisions of this subtitle, every driver of a vehicle shall:</text>
    <para num="(1)">exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any highway; and</para>
    <para num="(2)">exercise proper precautions upon observing any child or confused or incapacitated person upon a highway.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69(i)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 68-187</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 85-449</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="16-44" heading="Pedestrian traffic safety.">
    <text>The Director of Transportation shall:</text>
    <para num="(1)">identify intersections commonly used by the elderly, the disabled, or other persons who may need extra time to cross an intersection;</para>
    <para num="(2)">conduct studies of those intersections, using pedestrian accident statistics, direct observation, or other sources of information, to determine the need for extra time for pedestrian crossing and the length of time needed; and</para>
    <para num="(3)">wherever feasible, reset the timing of traffic signals or make other adjustments to the intersection to accommodate the need for extra time for pedestrian crossing.</para>
    <annotation type="Prior Codifications">City Code, 1976/83, art. 31, §69A</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 95-589</annotation>
    <annotation type="History">Ord. 15-435</annotation>
  </section>
  <section prefix="§" num="16-45" reserved="true" />
</baltimore-city-law>
