Contrary to popular belief, pedestrians do not always have the right of way when crossing streets.
Generally, a pedestrian’s right of way is limited to proper crossings within crosswalks. To be proper, a crossing at an intersection with traffic control signals means a pedestrian must obey the signals. Being within a crosswalk does not excuse a violation of the signal.
A crosswalk may be either marked or unmarked. A marked crosswalk has obvious lines designating the path for pedestrians. Sometimes, marked crosswalks are established at places other than intersections.
An unmarked crosswalk occurs only at an intersection. It is best to visualize an unmarked crosswalk as the extension of the sidewalk across the street. A sidewalk need not be paved. Arizona law defines a sidewalk as the portion of a street between the curb lines or edges of the road and the adjacent property lines, intended for the use of pedestrians. An unpaved sidewalk generally exists where a paved one would be if it had to be constructed.
Pedestrians who cross streets at any place other than in a marked or unmarked crosswalk are required to yield to the right of way to all vehicles on the road.
If two adjacent intersections have traffic control signals, pedestrians are forbidden to cross the street except in one of the marked crosswalks. In these situations, you may not cross in the middle of the block under any circumstances.
When a pedestrian violates the street crossing laws, motorists are not suddenly relieved of all responsibility for the pedestrian’s safety. The law imposes a duty of “due care” on drivers to avoid hitting and injuring offending pedestrians.
The rules may sound unnecessarily complicated for an activity as simple and common as crossing a street. In practical application, however, pedestrians should remember always to cross at an intersection if one is nearby. Stay within the marked or unmarked crosswalks when doing so and obey traffic control signals if they exist.
In a sense, we are sometimes more careful when we are violating the law than when we obey it. The security of a marked crosswalk is more illusory than real. Do not assume compliance with the law by others. You may accept the right of way when given; do not demand it.