Description

I was just told by two officers on the corner of Park and Chapel (Wednesday April 2, 5:30pm) that pedestrians do not have the right-of-way in a crosswalk crossing on a green light (there is no walk signal, just a green). They said this was particular to CT state law, but I just looked up the law and it seems to indicate otherwise. Pedestrians DO have the right of way in a designated cross-walk and on a green. I wish that the police were trained to give a more detailed and specific explanation of the law, and not perpetuated inaccuracies that favor drivers and lead to drivers in turn misunderstanding the law (I've had drivers also yelling at me for crossing on a green).

(b) At any intersection where special pedestrian-control signals bearing the words “Walk” or “Don’t Walk” are placed, pedestrians may cross the highway only as indicated by the signal. At any intersection where traffic is controlled by other traffic control signals or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the highway against a red or “Stop” signal and shall not cross at any place not a marked or unmarked crosswalk. A pedestrian started or starting across the highway on a “Walk” signal or on any such crosswalk on a green or “Go” signal shall have the right-of-way over all vehicles, including those making turns, until such pedestrian has reached the opposite curb or safety zone.