§ 21953 Pedestrian Crossing Rules Near Tunnels

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says if there's a pedestrian tunnel or bridge nearby, you must use it instead of crossing the street. If you don't, you have to let cars go first if they're close enough to be dangerous.

Key Takeaways

•If there's a tunnel or bridge for walking, use it instead of crossing the street.
•If you don't use it, you must wait for cars to pass if they're too close.
•Police can only stop you if you're putting yourself in real danger by not waiting.
•Even with this law, drivers still have to be careful around people walking.

Example

You're walking to the store and see a pedestrian bridge over a busy road, but you decide to cross the street instead because it's faster.

If cars are coming and you cross anyway, you could get in trouble because you didn't use the bridge or wait for the cars to pass.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 21953 Pedestrian Crossing Rules Near Tunnels

(a) Whenever any pedestrian crosses a roadway other than by means of a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing, if a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing serves the place where the pedestrian is crossing the roadway, such pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles on the highway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard. (b) This section shall not be construed to mean that a marked crosswalk, with or without a signal device, cannot be installed where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing exists. (c) (1) A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, shall not stop a pedestrian for a violation of subdivision (a) unless a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of a collision with a moving vehicle or other device moving exclusively by human power. (2) This subdivision does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for their safety. (3) This subdivision does not relieve a driver of a vehicle from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within the roadway. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 957, Sec. 9. (AB 2147) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

pedestrian tunnel overhead pedestrian crossing yield the right-of-way immediate hazard due care

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21953.

§ 21953 Pedestrian Crossing Rules Near Tunnels

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 21953 Pedestrian Crossing Rules Near Tunnels

This law says if there's a pedestrian tunnel or bridge nearby, you must use it instead of crossing the street. If you don't, you have to let cars go first if they're close enough to be dangerous.

Key Takeaways

•If there's a tunnel or bridge for walking, use it instead of crossing the street.
•If you don't use it, you must wait for cars to pass if they're too close.
•Police can only stop you if you're putting yourself in real danger by not waiting.
•Even with this law, drivers still have to be careful around people walking.

Example

You're walking to the store and see a pedestrian bridge over a busy road, but you decide to cross the street instead because it's faster.

If cars are coming and you cross anyway, you could get in trouble because you didn't use the bridge or wait for the cars to pass.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 21953 Pedestrian Crossing Rules Near Tunnels

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

pedestrian tunnel overhead pedestrian crossing yield the right-of-way immediate hazard due care

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21953.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References