NewsLanc searched the Drivers Manual published by the Department and Motor Vehicles and could not find any reference to this common situation.
We then contacted the City Police and Officer Gary Metzger advised us that drivers are obliged to stop. He referred us to the following Statute:
“Pa. Vehicle Code Section 3542 Right-of-way of pedestrians in crosswalks. (a) General rule – when traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. (b) Exercise of care by pedestrian – No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute a hazard.”
Unfortunately applicants for a drivers license don’t learn this. And school children and others are at considerable risk.
NewsLanc will contact the Department of Motor Vehicle and make them aware of the apparent omission.
