The walk sign tells you it is safe to cross, but you are still responsible for your own safety

A walk sign is the white walking figure that lights up at a pedestrian traffic signal, telling you the signal is giving you the right to cross. It does not mean the intersection is empty or that all traffic has stopped — it means the signal has given you permission to enter the crosswalk. You must still look both ways, watch for turning vehicles, and stay alert while crossing.

The walk sign is not a may provide of safety. Drivers can run red lights, turn into the crosswalk without looking, or fail to see you. Your job as a pedestrian is to use the walk sign as permission to cross, then verify with your own eyes that it is actually safe before you step into traffic.

Key Takeaways

  • A walk sign gives you the legal right to cross, but you must still check for traffic before entering the crosswalk.
  • You can be found at fault in an accident even if you had the walk sign if you were not paying attention or did not yield to turning vehicles.
  • The walk sign is usually a white figure; a flashing or solid red hand means do not cross.
  • Drivers turning right on red can legally enter the crosswalk, so watch for them even when your walk sign is lit.
  • State and local laws vary on whether pedestrians must obey walk signals or can cross whenever it is safe, so know your area's rules.

When you have the walk sign, you have the right of way — with limits

When the walk sign is lit, you have the legal right to enter the crosswalk and cross the street. In most states, this means drivers must yield to you and cannot proceed into your path. However, this right of way is not absolute. Drivers making a right turn on red (which is legal in most states) can enter the crosswalk if they yield to pedestrians already crossing — and some drivers do not check carefully enough.

You can still be found at fault or held responsible for an accident even if you had the walk sign. If you were distracted, did not look before stepping into the street, or failed to yield to a turning vehicle, a police officer or insurance company may determine you were partially or fully responsible. The walk sign is your permission to cross, not a shield against traffic.

What happens if you cross against the walk sign

Crossing against the walk sign — when the sign shows a red hand or is flashing — is called jaywalking in most places. The specific rules and penalties vary by state and city. Some cities enforce jaywalking strictly with fines; others rarely ticket for it. Some states have no jaywalking law at all.

If you are hit by a car while jaywalking, you may be found partially or fully at fault, even if the driver was speeding or not paying attention. Insurance companies and courts often split fault based on whether both parties broke traffic laws. A police report that says you jaywalked can reduce or eliminate any payment you might receive from the driver's insurance.

Walk signs and turning traffic

One of the most common causes of pedestrian accidents is a driver turning into the crosswalk while the pedestrian has the walk sign. In most states, a driver turning right on red has the legal right to enter the crosswalk as long as they yield to pedestrians already crossing. A driver turning left on a green arrow also has the right to turn, and pedestrians crossing on a walk sign must yield.

This creates a situation where both you and the driver have a legal right to be in the same space at the same time. The rule is: the pedestrian must yield to the turning vehicle. Even if your walk sign is lit, you must watch for turning traffic and step back or stop if a car is turning into your path. Drivers often miss pedestrians in crosswalks, so do not assume they see you.

Pedestrian walk signals vary by location

Most pedestrian signals in the United States follow a standard format: a white walking figure means walk, and a red hand (solid or flashing) means do not walk. However, some cities use different symbols or add countdown timers that show how many seconds you have left to cross. A few cities use different colors or shapes.

Some intersections have no pedestrian signal at all — only a traffic light for cars. In those cases, you must follow the car traffic light: cross when the traffic light for cross traffic is red, and do not cross when it is green. If you are unsure how to read a signal in an unfamiliar city, wait and watch other pedestrians, or ask someone nearby.

State laws on when you must use walk signals

Most states require pedestrians to obey walk signals when they are present. However, a few states allow pedestrians to cross whenever it is safe, even if the walk sign is not lit, as long as they do not interfere with traffic. Some states have a "scramble" intersection where all pedestrian traffic is allowed to cross in all directions at once, including diagonally.

The safest approach is to assume you must obey the walk sign in your state. If you are visiting a different state or city and are unsure of the rules, treat the walk sign as a requirement. You can always cross when the walk sign is lit; you cannot always cross safely when it is not.

What to do if you are hit by a car in a crosswalk

If you are struck by a vehicle while in a crosswalk, call 911 when ready if you need medical help. Ask the dispatcher to send police to document the accident. When police arrive, tell them exactly what happened: whether you had the walk sign, whether you looked before crossing, and what the driver was doing (turning, speeding, on a phone, etc.).

Get the driver's name, phone number, address, insurance company, and policy number. Take photos of the scene, the vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses. Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident, even if you think you were partially responsible. Report the accident to your own insurance company and consider speaking with a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be ticketed for crossing on the walk sign if a car hits me?

No, you cannot be ticketed for obeying the walk sign. However, if the police report says you were distracted, did not look before crossing, or failed to yield to a turning vehicle, that can be used against you in an insurance claim or lawsuit. The walk sign protects you from a jaywalking ticket, not from liability if you were careless.

What if the walk sign is broken or not working?

If the pedestrian signal is not working, treat the intersection like one with no pedestrian signal. Cross when the traffic light for cross traffic is red, and do not cross when it is green. If you are unsure, wait for other pedestrians to cross first or ask a nearby person how the intersection works.

Do I have to wait for the walk sign if the street is empty?

The law in most states requires you to obey the walk sign even if no cars are visible. However, if you cross against the walk sign and are hit, you will likely be found at fault. The safest and most legal choice is to wait for the walk sign, even if the street looks clear.

What does a flashing walk sign mean?

A flashing walk sign (usually a blinking white figure) means the walk phase is ending and you should not start crossing. If you are already in the crosswalk, keep going. If you have not yet stepped into the street, wait for the next walk sign. The flashing phase gives drivers a warning that pedestrians are about to have the right of way.

Can a driver turn right on red if I have the walk sign?

Yes. A driver turning right on red can legally enter the crosswalk as long as they yield to pedestrians already crossing. You must watch for turning traffic and step back if a car is turning into your path, even if your walk sign is lit. The turning vehicle has the right of way over pedestrians who have not yet entered the crosswalk.