Pedestrian Regulations

(1) Pedestrians Crossing Ways or Roadways. Pedestrians shall obey the directions of police officers directing traffic and whenever there is an officer directing traffic, a traffic control signal or a marked crosswalk within 300 feet of a pedestrian, no such pedestrian shall cross a way or roadway except within the limits of a marked crosswalk and as hereinafter provided in 700 CMR 9.00. (2) Pedestrian Actuation. (a) At a traffic control signal location where pedestrian indications are provided but which are shown only upon actuation by means of a pedestrian push button, no pedestrian shall cross a roadway unless or until the pedestrian control signal push button has been actuated and then cross only on the proper pedestrian signal indication. At traffic control signal locations where no pedestrian indication is provided, pedestrians shall cross only on the green indication. If necessary, the green indication shall be actuated by the pedestrian by means of a push button. (b) At a traffic control signal location, pedestrians shall yield the right of way to vehicles of a funeral or other procession or authorized emergency vehicle while in performance of emergency duties regardless of the signal indication given, and they shall not attempt to cross the roadway until such vehicles or procession has passed at which time pedestrians shall then cross the roadway only as provided in 700 CMR 9.00. (3) Pedestrian Obedience to Traffic Control Signals. Traffic control signal indications and legends shall have the pedestrian commands ascribed to them in 700 CMR 9.09(3) and no other meanings, and every pedestrian shall comply therewith, except when otherwise directed by an officer. Where pedestrian signals are present, they shall have the following meaning: (a) Steady Walking Person symbol or Steady "WALK". Whenever the steady Walking Person symbol or the steady word "WALK" is illuminated, a Pedestrian facing such indication may proceed across the roadway and in the direction of such signal only. (b) Flashing Upraised Hand symbol or Flashing "DON'T WALK". Whenever the Upraised Hand symbol is intermittently illuminated (flashing) or words "DON'T WALK" are intermittently illuminated (flashing), a Pedestrian already crossing the Roadway may continue to cross in the direction of the signal to the sidewalk, edge of roadway or to the pedestrian refuge of a traffic island. A Pedestrian that has not started to cross shall not start. (c) Steady Upraised Hand symbol or Steady "DON'T WALK". Whenever the Upraised Hand symbol is steady illuminated or words "DON'T WALK" steady illuminated, a Pedestrian already crossing the Roadway may continue to cross in the direction of the signal to the sidewalk, edge of roadway or to the pedestrian refuge of a traffic island; a Pedestrian that has not started to cross shall not start. Where pedestrian signals are not present, or present and dark or inoperative, pedestrian crossings shall be controlled the following vehicle signals: (d) Steady Circular Green. A Pedestrian may proceed across the Roadway within any marked crosswalk in the direction of the steady circular green. (e) Steady Circular Yellow. A Pedestrian already crossing the Roadway may continue to cross in the direction of the signal to the sidewalk, edge of roadway or to the pedestrian refuge of a traffic island. A Pedestrian that has not started to cross shall not start. (f) Steady Circular Red. A Pedestrian already crossing the Roadway may continue to cross in the direction of the signal to the sidewalk, edge of roadway or to the pedestrian refuge of a traffic island. A Pedestrian that has not started to cross shall not start. (g) Flashing Circular Yellow. A Pedestrian may proceed with due care across the Roadway within any marked crosswalk in the direction of the flashing circular yellow. (h) Flashing Circular Red. A Pedestrian may proceed with due care across the Roadway within any marked crosswalk in the direction of the flashing circular red. (4) Pedestrian Crossings and Use of Roadways. (a) 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. (b) Pedestrians shall at all times attempt to cross a roadway using the right half of crosswalks. (c) Where sidewalks are provided, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway whenever the sidewalk is open to pedestrian use. (d) Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and upon an undivided highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the left side of the roadway on its unfinished shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction. On any divided highway pedestrians not in violation of 700 CMR 9.08(2)(c) shall walk only on the right side of the roadway on the unfinished shoulder. (e) Persons alighting from the roadway side of any vehicle parked at the curb or edge of roadway in urban areas within 300 feet of a marked crosswalk shall proceed immediately to the sidewalk or edge of roadway adjacent to vehicle, and shall cross the roadway only as authorized by 700 CMR 9.00. (f) It shall be unlawful for any person to actuate a pedestrian control signal or to enter a marked crosswalk unless a crossing of the roadway is intended. (5) 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. (6) 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 board or officer having control of such roadway or highway. (7) Obedience of Bridge Signals. No pedestrian shall enter or remain upon any bridge or approach thereto beyond the bridge signal, gate or barrier after a bridge operation signal indication has been given. (8) Exemptions. The provisions of 700 CMR 9.09 governing the use of State highways by pedestrians shall not apply to pedestrians actually engaged in work upon a roadway closed to travel or under construction or repair, to municipal, state, federal or public service corporation employees while in the performance of their duties, to officers engaged in the performance of their public duties or to pedestrians acting in an emergency when such emergency necessitates departure from any part of 700 CMR 9.00. If any section, sub-section, sentence, clause or phrase of 700 CMR 9.00 is for any reason unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of 700 CMR 9.00. The Department hereby declare that it would have passed 700 CMR 9.00 and each section, sub-section, sentence, clause or phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, sub-sections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared unconstitutional.