§ 21955 Pedestrian Crossing Restrictions

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says pedestrians must use crosswalks when crossing the street between intersections with traffic lights. Police can only stop pedestrians for breaking this rule if there's a real risk of getting hit by a car or bike.

Key Takeaways

•Always use crosswalks to cross the street between intersections with traffic lights.
•Police can only stop you for crossing outside a crosswalk if you're in immediate danger of being hit.
•Even if you're in a crosswalk, you still need to be careful and watch for cars.
•Drivers must always be careful and look out for pedestrians on the road.

Example

You're walking down a busy street with traffic lights at each corner. You see a gap in traffic and decide to cross in the middle of the block instead of walking to the crosswalk.

If a cop sees you, they can only stop you if a car or bike is about to hit you. Otherwise, they can't stop you just for crossing outside the crosswalk.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 21955 Pedestrian Crossing Restrictions

(a) Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk. (b) (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. 11. (AB 2147) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

crosswalk immediate danger of a collision due care

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21955.

§ 21955 Pedestrian Crossing Restrictions

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 21955 Pedestrian Crossing Restrictions

Key Takeaways

•Always use crosswalks to cross the street between intersections with traffic lights.
•Police can only stop you for crossing outside a crosswalk if you're in immediate danger of being hit.
•Even if you're in a crosswalk, you still need to be careful and watch for cars.
•Drivers must always be careful and look out for pedestrians on the road.

Example

You're walking down a busy street with traffic lights at each corner. You see a gap in traffic and decide to cross in the middle of the block instead of walking to the crosswalk.

If a cop sees you, they can only stop you if a car or bike is about to hit you. Otherwise, they can't stop you just for crossing outside the crosswalk.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 21955 Pedestrian Crossing Restrictions

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

crosswalk immediate danger of a collision due care

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21955.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References