Code of Massachusetts Regulations
700 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Title 700 CMR 5.000 - Regulation Of Certain Roadways And Bridges
Section 5.301 - Pedestrian Rules

Universal Citation: 700 MA Code of Regs 700.5

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(1) Pedestrians shall obey all traffic signals, traffic control devices, and heed traffic pavement markings when they are within 300 feet of these elements unless directed otherwise by an Authorized Police Officer or an DCR Ranger.

(2) Pedestrian Crossings and Use of Roadways. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a sidewalk or safety island and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield the right of way.

(3) Pedestrian Obedience to Traffic Control Signals. Traffic control signal color indications and legends shall have the pedestrian commands ascribed to them in 700 CMR 5.301 and no other meanings, and every pedestrian shall comply therewith, except when otherwise directed by an officer.

(a) Red and Yellow or the Word "Walk". Whenever the red and yellow lenses are illuminated together or the single word "Walk" is illuminated, pedestrians facing such indication may proceed across the roadway and in the direction of such signal only.

(b) Red Alone or "Don't Walk". Whenever the words "Don't Walk" or any indication other than red and yellow shown together are illuminated in a traffic control signal where pedestrian indications are provided, pedestrians approaching or facing such indication shall wait on the sidewalk, edge of roadway or in the pedestrian refuge area of a traffic island and shall not enter upon or cross a roadway until the proper indication is illuminated in the traffic control signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his/her crossing on the walk indication shall proceed or return to the nearest sidewalk or safety island on the yellow indication, the red indication or when the words "Don't Walk" are illuminated by rapid intermittent flashes.

(c) Green Alone. At traffic control signal locations where no pedestrian indication is given or provided, pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway within any marked crosswalk in the direction of the green indication.

(d) Yellow Alone, Red Alone, or Flashing "Don't Walk". Pedestrians approaching or facing a yellow, red or flashing "Don't Walk" illuminated indication shall not start to cross a roadway.

(e) Flashing Red, Yellow or Green. At any traffic control signal locations where a flashing red, flashing yellow or flashing green indication is being given facing a crosswalk, pedestrians shall actuate, where provided, the pedestrian signal indication and cross the roadway only on the red-yellow or "Walk" indication when such indication is in operation. If no pedestrian signal is provided, pedestrians shall cross within crosswalks with due care.

(4) Crossing at Non-signalized Locations. Every pedestrian crossing a roadway in an urban area at any point other than within a marked crosswalk shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway. At a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided, pedestrians shall cross the roadway only by the proper use of the tunnel or overpass.

Pedestrians Soliciting Rides or Business. No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride, employment or business from the operator or occupant of any vehicle without the written permission of the Commissioner or Commissioner's designee.

(5) Violation. Any person violating any of 314 CMR 5.00 shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of M.G.L. c. 90.

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