Pedestrians

Pedestrian travel, such as walking or jogging, is a common option for many people across Illinois – from rural to urban communities.

Drivers and pedestrians both are responsible for traffic safety. Drivers should always be prepared to yield the right-of-way and should not drive unnecessarily close to pedestrians.

When approaching a pedestrian with a disability who is utilizing a guide dog, a white cane, a wheelchair or other assistive device on a sidewalk or roadway, the pedestrian has the right-of-way and is granted the same rights as any pedestrian.

A driver must come to a complete stop (and yield):

• When a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk.
• On school days, when children are in close proximity to a school zone crosswalk.
• A driver must yield to a pedestrian.
• When a pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk on the driver's side of the roadway and there are no traffic control signals.
• When making a turn at any intersection.
• When making a lawful turn on a red light after coming to a complete stop.
• After coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or flashing red signal at an intersection.
• When a pedestrian enters a crosswalk before the traffic light changed.
• When a pedestrian is walking with a green light, to a walking person symbol or a walk signal.
• When a pedestrian is leaving or entering a street or highway from an alley, building, private road or driveway.
• When a pedestrian is entering an intersection with a flashing yellow arrow.

For more information, please see the Rules of the Road.

For more information on pedestrian studies by traffic safety partners, visit the Traffic Records Coordinating Committee website.