Yielding Laws and Enforcement
RELATED TOPICS: Passing Laws and Enforcement, Safety Communications, Driving Training Program, Design and Engineering Guidance, Speed
Law enforcement is a key component of efforts to ensure safe and secure travel options. Law enforcement agencies have a role to play in raising awareness about safety issues, influencing behaviors and social norms, setting policies, and reinforcing and supporting educational and engineering programs and strategies. One of the ways that enforcement can advance safety for pedestrians and bicyclists is by enforcing yielding laws. Although laws vary by state, most states require motorists to yield to or stop for pedestrians crossing the street in a crosswalk, even if the pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk. However, these laws are not emphasized in driver education and training and often are not enforced consistently. This problem is more pronounced on streets with higher speed limits where it is more difficult to get motorists to slow or yield to pedestrians. Targeted enforcement operations have been shown to significantly increase motorist yielding while also improving pedestrian behavior. A high-visibility enforcement program can also lead to a long-term increase in motorist yielding. In addition to safety benefits, these operations often receive positive feedback from the community and may uncover related safety concerns.
Resources
The Effect of High-Visibility Enforcement on Driver Compliance with Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Determines the extent of observed increases in motorist yielding nearly 4 years after the implementation of a high-visibility enforcement intervention program.
