Q I NEED to peer a column each six weeks devoted to us pedestrians. We need to stroll amongst cars, and so forth. I HAVE NEVER had a car for the reason that 1987 and luxuriate in strolling and taking transit.

John Walker

San Jose

A Many do, and recently is the primary of 2 columns dedicated to pedestrians. And here's the #1. query I box approximately laws of the street for pedestrians and motorists.

Q I HAVE BEEN studying your column within the Oakland Tribune, and it came about to me that you simply might need the solution to a subject matter that I HAVE debated with pals: The place a highway is divided, whether or not by a planted island or simply a concrete strip, and a pedestrian steps out into the crosswalk, are drivers at the a long way aspect of the strip required to prevent until the pedestrian will get all of the manner around the side road? Or does their legal responsibility to offer proper of manner get started as soon as the pedestrian will get to the strip and begins to go all alone facet of it? I DO NOT keep in mind any point out of this in a driver's manual.

Gail Weininger

Alameda

A And ...

Q My sisters and i've no longer been in a position to work out the principles for preventing at a crosswalk that covers a couple of lanes of two-way visitors. If I'VE a inexperienced mild and i am seeking to make a left flip onto a four-lane, two-way road, do I MUST watch for pedestrians to transparent all 4 lanes prior to I WILL BE ABLE TO whole

my flip? It sort of feels foolish to need to watch for anyone to stroll throughout 4 lanes if I WOULD LIKE to show into the lane farthest from them.

Diana Tashjian

A Somebody else? Foolish question.

Q My sister was using in some way that pissed off me. We had a inexperienced gentle and had been creating a proper flip whilst a pedestrian around the side road of a four-lane street stepped into the crosswalk. It'd be 5 or 6 seconds prior to he could be within the lane we have been becoming and shall we make the flip and be on our manner lengthy sooner than he were given close, however my sister may wait until he was all of the approach around the side road prior to making the turn, pronouncing that she wouldn't need to violate the suitable of manner of the pedestrian.

If she made the flip even as any pedestrian was within the crosswalk, regardless of where, she may get a ticket, she mentioned. My using conduct have all the time been to provide them the fitting of method and never intrude with their crossing, but when it's good to flip proper and never hinder their crossing, then it was ALRIGHT TO make that flip. Who's right?

Pete Antoniak

San Bruno

A The California Car Code does not expressly deal with the query of whether or not a motorist on an excessively huge side road should wait until a pedestrian is the entire approach throughout prior to starting, or whether or not a driving force must wait if a pedestrian steps right into a crosswalk at the different aspect of the street. However police and protection advocates just about all agree that if a pedestrian is at the a ways facet of the crosswalk, then a motive force can continue if it is protected to do so.

Added Liz-the-Cop: "YOU DON'T HAVE to attend for the pedestrian to complete crossing all the lanes ahead of you force on. As soon as the pedestrian is appropriately and entirely previous your automotive and there's no threat of you hitting them or scaring the heck out of them, you can also power throughout the crosswalk and proceed for your way."

However, a few officers view this in a different way. I spoke to a gaggle at a Cupertino center college as of late and the lady heading up their site visitors protection crew was ticketed for no longer looking ahead to a pedestrian to complete crossing all lanes. And i have heard from oldsters whose teenagers flunked their riding check as a result of they didn't wait until a pedestrian crossed all lanes of traffic.

Go to www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/right of way.htm for the foundations on this.

Q Gary, what's your recommendation on whilst a motorist must forestall for a pedestrian who is also a number of lanes away? What do you do?

Wendy Dillon

Concord

A This is Roadshow's advice:

On a highway with one lane in every direction, I look forward to all pedestrians.

On a side road with lanes every way, I on a regular basis look forward to all pedestrians.

On a boulevard with three or extra lanes every means and that i see a pedestrian anyplace close to the center of that intersection, I yield as a result of I worry the motive force at the back of me may not see the individual crossing the street, might imagine they are able to beat the pedestrian or don't seem to be conscious that different pedestrians are coming. A COUPLE OF seconds of ready is a small value to pay to make sure the security of the individual on foot.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or touch him at mrroadshow@mercurynews.com or 408-920-5335. The fax quantity is 408-288-8060.