A Message from the Darien Police Department on
Pedestrian and Bicyclist Rights and
Responsibilities
With the warmer weather upon us, the Darien Police Department wishes to
offer a timely reminder to all motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. Due to
the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we have certainly observed a marked increase in
pedestrian activity around town. As
always, the safety of our residents and guests is always our paramount concern. Motor vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle related
statutes and regulations are enacted to provide all roadway users with very clear
rights and responsibilities. If everyone
follows these basic and reasonable rules, roadways users can safely co-exist. Please,
take an extra minute or two and consider giving “the other guy” an additional
margin of safety and distance. The
Darien Police Department, your Darien Police Department, clearly
believes we will all be better for it.
Pedestrian responsibilities under the CT General Statutes CGS
14-300b and 14-300c:
·
Pedestrians MUST utilize a sidewalk if
one is provided.
·
All pedestrians MUST walk AGAINST
traffic and as close as practicable to the edge of the road if a sidewalk is
not present. One pedestrian on the edge of the road and another walking with
them who is six feet into the roadway is simply not lawful, safe, or
reasonable. All pedestrians must be on the sidewalk if one is provided
or as close to the edge of the road as practical if no sidewalk is present.
·
Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point
other than a crosswalk (marked or unmarked) SHALL yield the right of way
to each vehicle upon such roadway.
·
No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection
diagonally unless authorized by a pedestrian-control signal or a police officer.
·
No pedestrian shall cross a roadway between
adjacent intersections at which traffic or pedestrian control signals are in
operation except within a marked crosswalk.
·
No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb,
sidewalk, crosswalk or other place of safety adjacent to or upon a roadway and
walk or run into the path of a vehicle.
·
No pedestrian who is under the influence of
alcohol or any drug to a degree that renders themselves to be a hazard shall
walk or stand in any part of a roadway.
·
All Pedestrians MUST yield to any
authorized emergency vehicle displaying emergency lights and auditory warning.
Bicyclist responsibilities under the CT General Statutes CGS
14-286a, 14-286b, 14-286c
·
Every person riding a bicycle upon the traveled
portion of a highway (roadway) shall be granted all the rights and SHALL
be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any vehicle. This
would include not impeding other traffic.
·
Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway
shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as is “safe” as judged by
such person, except while overtaking or passing another vehicle heading in the
same direction, preparing for a left turn into a private road or driveway,
(when) reasonably necessary to avoid to avoid conditions (fixed/moving objects,
parked/moving vehicles, other bicycles, pedestrians, animals surface hazards,
etc.).
·
Persons SHALL NOT ride bicycles more than
two abreast. Persons riding two abreast SHALL NOT impede the normal and
reasonable movement of traffic, and, on a lined roadway, SHALL ride
within a single lane.
Motor Vehicle operator responsibilities under CT General Statutes CGS
14-300 and 14-300d.
·
Each operator of a vehicle SHALL exercise
due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or person propelling a human
powered vehicle and SHALL give a reasonable warning by sounding a horn
or other lawful noise emitting device to avoid a Collison.
·
Each operator of a vehicle SHALL yield to
all pedestrians who are crossing a highway (roadway) at an intersection on
either a “walk” signal or a standard green traffic signal. In these cases, the pedestrian
has the clearly defined right of way and all vehicle operators MUST yield.
·
Motorists must give all bicyclists at LEAST
three feet of lateral space when passing in the same direction.
04.04.2020