Crosswalk laws in the State of Oregon were written to provide a buffer of safety for pedestrians on the roadway. Pedestrians are unfortunately the losers in any collisions with a car . Studies show that a walker hit at 40 mph has an 85% chance of dying from car accident trauma in the state of Oregon.

The current law in Oregon for crosswalks is as follows: A crosswalk is located at any public street junction marked by paint. A crosswalk maybe also be located between junctions but marked by solid white lines.

As a driver in Oregon state you must remember that you have responsibilities to pedestrians.
1. Remember to stop and continue to remain stopped until the pedestrian is cleared your lane and at least up to 6 feet into the following lane.
2. Do not continue across a crosswalk if a crossing guard is present and you are being directed not to continue.
3. Always remain stopped when a blind pedestrian is crossing. A blind pedestrian will either have a white cane or guide dog for assistance. Do not start to move until they have reached the other side of the crosswalk.

If the pedestrian is in a safety buffer when you enter the crosswalk, it is possible for you to be fined for any amount over $200.00.

As a pedestrian in Oregon state you must remember that you have responsibilities to drivers. Obey all traffic lights and signals. Never walk in front of a car or truck without first watching what they are doing. Though a car or truck must stop for you, it is your responsibility to make sure you are given the OK by the signal to cross into the crosswalk.

The best advice is to always make sure the walker is on the other side of the street before you continue your movement through the crosswalk. Saving your life or theirs is worth the couple minutes it will take for them to safely cross the street.

Given that pedestrians are always the underdogs it is best to consult with an experienced injury lawyer to determine your rights and how medical bills will be covered.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 18th, 2007 at 2:25 pm and is filed under Injury - Pedestrian. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.