By MaryHelen Swanson

Some have joked about it - trying to walk across Hwy. 95 in downtown North Branch - others have learned the hard way about the laws for drivers and pedestrians that ensure a safe trip across the street. Either way, itís no laughing matter.

On June 15, North Branch Police Chief Jules Zimmer gave the city council members an update on the basic crosswalk laws in town.

Some have changed, he noted, so it is good to remind people of what they can and cannot do.

Pedestrians are subject to traffic control signals at intersections. Which means people are required to follow walk and donít walk instructions.

Formerly, intersections had to be marked to require a driver to yield to a pedestrian attempting to cross the street.

Zimmer noted that now, even if there are no signals or marked crosswalks at an intersection, the driver of a vehicle must stop and yield the right of way to a pedestrian at intersections.

However, the pedestrian must have one foot off the curb or actually be in the process of crossing the street. Just standing at an intersection is not grounds for yielding to a person, he said.

The driver of a vehicle must remain stopped until the pedestrian has passed the lane in which the vehicle is stopped.

You do not have to wait until the pedestrian has crossed the street completely.

But pedestrians must not suddenly leave the curb or walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop.

In addition, a driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear may not overtake and pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk.

Regarding jaywalking

A pedestrian cannot do what is commonly known as jaywalk ñ crossing a street between intersections ñ between adjacent intersections at which stop lights are in operation. For example, in North Branch that would be between Oakview and the freeway intersection on the east side and the freeway intersection and Tanger Drive intersection on the west side.

Jaywalking between intersections without signals is not necessarily against the law, however Zimmer pointed out the pedestrian loses all rights.

Regarding where to walk

Pedestrians, as most of us learned early on, must walk facing traffic, bicyclists move with the traffic.

Where sidewalks are provided and are accessible, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk in the street.

Safety patrol

Finally, it is unlawful to disobey any school safety patrol or adult crossing guard.

A police officer may arrest someone within four hours if there is probable cause to believe that a driver was in violation.

Zimmerís reminder should aid drivers and pedestrians in understanding the rules and their roles for safety on our local roads.