Crosswalks
The California Vehicle Code defines a crosswalk as the portion of a roadway at an intersection, which is an extension of the curb and property lines of the intersecting street or is any other portion of a roadway, which is marked as a pedestrian crossing location by painted lines.
Crosswalks are either marked or unmarked. A marked crosswalk is any crosswalk which has white or yellow painted markings placed on the pavement. All other crosswalk locations are unmarked.
 How Crosswalks Are Used
Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at any crosswalk (marked or unmarked). Crosswalks are marked mainly to encourage pedestrians to use a particular crossing. Studies conducted on the relative safety of crosswalks support minimal installation of marked crosswalks.
Marked Crosswalks
Crosswalks are marked at intersections where there is substantial conflict between vehicle and pedestrian movements, where there are a lot of pedestrians, where pedestrians could not otherwise recognize the proper place to cross, and where traffic movements are controlled. Examples of such locations are:
- Approved school crossings
- Signalized and four way stop intersections
 These examples follow the philosophy of marking crosswalks as a form of encouragement.
In the first case, we are encouraging school children to use a crossing, which is normally being monitored. In the second case, we are encouraging all pedestrians to avoid a prohibited crossing.
It is the city’s practice not to paint crosswalks at mid-block locations where traffic is not controlled by stop signs or traffic signals. Painted crosswalks should only be used where necessary to direct pedestrians along the safest route.
What Causes Accidents at Marked Crosswalks
Research suggests that marked crosswalks give pedestrians a false sense of security. Pedestrians often step off the curb into the crosswalk expecting drivers of vehicles approaching the crosswalk to stop. However, drivers frequently fail to stop and cause an accident. At all crosswalks, both marked and unmarked, it is the pedestrian’s responsibility to be cautious and alert before starting to cross the street.
 At mid-block crosswalks on multi-lane roadways, another frequent factor in causing accidents involves the driver of a vehicle in the lane nearest to the curb stopping for a pedestrian that is waiting to cross or who is already in the crosswalk. The driver of a second vehicle traveling in the lane next to the stopped vehicle tries to pass the stopped vehicle and hits the pedestrian, even though it is illegal for drivers to pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk.
Pedestrians should be very cautious when walking in a crosswalk, especially when their visibility is limited by vehicles already stopped.
 Special School Crosswalks
When a marked crosswalk has been established adjacent to a school building or school grounds, it is painted yellow. Other established marked crosswalks may be painted yellow if either the nearest point of the crosswalk is not more than 600 feet from a school building or grounds.
Crosswalks should be marked at all intersections on the suggested route to school. They should also be marked where there is conflict between vehicles and students (while crossing), where students are permitted to cross between intersections, or where students could not otherwise cross. The best safety measure for school age children is to educate them on how and where to safely cross the street.
Questions?
If you have questions, requests or suggestions concerning traffic contact Public Works at 916.625.5500 or by email at Access Rocklin.
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