Section 1151

• When there are no traffic-control signals, the driver of a car or truck must yield the right of way by slowing down or stopping if need be to yield to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk, except that any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided shall yield the right of way to all vehicles. Also, the same law requires that when any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of another vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.

Section 1156

• This traffic law states that where sidewalks are provided, pedestrians must be allowed to use them safely. This law is particularly important in New York City, where parking lots often require cars to travel over publicly traveled sidewalks. In other words, when a car is exiting a parking lot or driveway and there are pedestrians walking on the sidewalk, the driver has the responsibility to leave the parking lot or driveway in a safe manner.

Section 1111(a)(3)

• Pedestrians have the right of way to cross a street when they are facing a green light within a crosswalk. If you have a green light, cars must yield to you. If you suffer personal injuries while crossing with the walk signal in your favor, the driver of the vehicle should be held responsible.

Section 1146

• This law requires every driver of a vehicle, including cars, trucks, and buses, to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. 

Section 1163

• This prohibits drivers from turning on a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. So cars must keep a proper lookout when turning in order to avoid colliding with any pedestrians.

Traffic Rule 34 RCNY 4-03(a)(1)(i)

• This requires vehicles with a green light, which are turning right or left, to yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk. So even though a car, truck, or bus has a green light, the pedestrian still has a superior right of way. The vehicle legally must yield. 

Traffic Rule 34 RCNY 4-03(a)(1)(ii)

• This gives pedestrians facing a green signal the right of way to proceed across the roadway within the crosswalk. So if the pedestrian has begun crossing the street and the light changes, the pedestrian still has the right to continue to cross the street. Cars, trucks, and buses must let the pedestrian finish crossing the street. 

Traffic Rule 34 RCNY 4- 02 and 4-04(d)

• These rules prohibit drivers from operating their vehicles in a manner that will endanger any person. And that the operator of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian. So the operator of a vehicle must operate their car, truck, or bus in a manner that avoids hitting a pedestrian.