It's The Law in North Carolina: Pedestrians and Vehicles

Village Drivers need to realize that pedestrians along the road often have no other walking option to get to their intended destination and sometimes need to walk along a road to reach an entrance to a trail or path.

In North Carolina, vehicles must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk, unmarked crosswalk, or near an intersection.

Vehicles emerging from any alleyway, building, private road, or driveway must yield the right of way to any pedestrian or person riding a bicycle approaching on a sidewalk extending across such alleyway, building, private road, or driveway. 

When walking along the roadway, pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles as well as when crossing outside of a marked crosswalk, or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. 

Where traffic control devices (traffic lights) are in operation, pedestrians may only cross between two adjacent intersections in a marked crosswalk; no legal crossing otherwise.

According to North Carolina law (see here for more detail): 

• “...when a sidewalk is available, pedestrians must use the sidewalk instead of walking on the roadway, which is defined as the part of the highway that is paved, graveled, or otherwise improved for vehicle travel.” … “When sidewalks are not provided, pedestrians walking along or on the highway should, when practicable, walk on the extreme left of the roadway or shoulder facing traffic, and pedestrians walking on the shoulder of the road must yield the right-of-way to traffic.”

Walking Along Village Roads and Streets:

• Always walk on the sidewalk if one is provided. If there is no sidewalk and you have to walk in the road, WALK FACING TRAFFIC, so you can see oncoming cars and so that drivers can more easily see you.

• Walkers MUST step to the side when an oncoming car approaches and drivers MUST slow down and move over a bit when it is safe to do so to give walkers a safety break.

• Dress to be seen. Brightly colored clothing makes it easier for drivers to see you during the daytime. At night, wear clothing with material that reflects the light from headlights of cars coming towards you. Carry a lighted flashlight.

• Be especially careful when walking on village roads with many curves and small hills (such as Spindlewood), which blind motorists to your presence until they are right upon you.

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