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52

ARTICLE IX. - PEDESTRIANS

Part of the Code of Ordinances of Central Falls, RI.

Local law · Updated December 8, 2025 · 1,477 sections

The text

Sec. 36-535. - Due care by drivers.#

Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any person propelling a human-powered vehicle upon any roadway, and shall give an audible signal when necessary, and shall exercise proper precaution, upon observing any child or any obviously confused, intoxicated or incapacitated person.

(Code 1973, § 16-3-9; Code 1994, § 38-17)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-18-8.

Sec. 36-536. - Pedestrians subject to traffic control signals.#

Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic control signals, as declared in sections 36-76 and 36-77, but at all other places, pedestrians shall be granted those rights, and be subject to the restrictions, stated in this article.

(Code 1973, § 16-10-1; Code 1994, § 38-311)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-18-1.

Sec. 36-537. - Right-of-way in crosswalks.#

(a)

When traffic control signals are not in place, or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle or conveyance shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway, street or highway within a crosswalk, when the pedestrian is upon the half of such roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. No pedestrian shall suddenly leave the curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

(b)

Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply under the conditions stated in G.L. 1956, § 31-18-6.

(Code 1973, § 16-10-2; Code 1994, § 38-312(a)—(c))

State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-18-3.

Sec. 36-538. - Obstruction of walkways.#

No person shall stand on any footwalk, sidewalk, doorway, doorstep or driveway in such a manner so as to cause obstruction, hindrance, delay, disturbance or annoyance to any passerby or other persons residing or doing business in the vicinity.

(Code 1973, § 16-2-5; Code 1994, § 38-6)

Sec. 36-539. - Overtaking of vehicles stopped for pedestrians.#

(a)

Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, street or highway, the driver of any vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.

(b)

Whenever there are no markings to the contrary, there shall be a presumption that there is an unmarked crosswalk at any intersection.

(Code 1973, §§ 16-3-13, 16-10-2; Code 1994, §§ 38-117, 38-312(d))

State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-18-4.

Sec. 36-540. - When pedestrian to yield right-of-way.#

(a)

Every pedestrian crossing a roadway, street or highway in the city at any point other than within a marked crosswalk, or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon such roadway.

(b)

The provision of subsection (a) of this section has no application under the conditions stated in section 36-541 when pedestrians are prohibited from crossing at certain designated places.

(Code 1973, § 16-10-5; Code 1994, § 38-315)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-18-5.

Sec. 36-541. - Prohibited crossing.#

(a)

Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a crosswalk.

(b)

No pedestrian shall cross a roadway, street or highway in the city, other than in a crosswalk, in any business district.

(c)

No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic control devices, and when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.

(Code 1973, § 16-10-6; Code 1994, § 38-316)

State Law reference— Similar provisions (as to subsection (a)), G.L. 1956, § 31-18-7.

Sec. 36-542. - Pedestrians to use right half of crosswalk.#

Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of the crosswalk.

(Code 1973, § 16-10-3; Code 1994, § 38-313)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-18-9.

Sec. 36-543. - Crossing street at right angles.#

No pedestrian shall cross a roadway, street or highway of the city at any place other than by a route at right angles to the curb, or by the shortest route to the opposite curb, except in a marked crosswalk.

(Code 1973, § 16-10-4; Code 1994, § 38-314)

Sec. 36-544. - Pedestrians walking along roadways.#

Where sidewalks are provided, it shall be unlawful for any person to walk along and upon any adjacent roadway, street or highway in the city. Where sidewalks are provided it shall be lawful for a person to run or jog along and upon an adjacent roadway, and if the person shall begin to walk he shall walk upon an available sidewalk.

(Code 1973, § 16-10-7; Code 1994, § 38-317(a))

State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-18-10.

Sec. 36-545. - Walking, jogging, or running on left.#

(a)

Where sidewalks are not provided any person walking, jogging, or running along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk, jog or run only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction. Under no circumstances shall anyone walk, run, or jog on any interstate.

(b)

Any person jogging or running during the time from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise, shall, in addition, wear reflective material which is visible by low beam headlamps from a distance of at least 500 feet. In no event, shall the failure to wear reflective clothing be considered as contributing negligence, nor shall the failure to wear reflective clothing be admissible as evidence in the trial of any civil action.

(c)

If the person has been charged with failure to wear reflective material, the person shall be issued a citation. If any person issued a citation presents proof of purchase of reflectorized clothing or the minimum amount of reflectorized material to the issuing police department within ten days, the city shall void the violation.

(Code 1973, § 16-10-8; Code 1994, §§ 31-317(b), 38-318)

State Law reference— Similar provisions, G.L. 1956, § 31-18-10.

Sec. 36-546. - Soliciting rides or business.#

No person shall stand, walk or linger in a roadway, street or highway in the city for the purpose of soliciting a ride, or business of any type, from the occupant or driver of a vehicle.

(Code 1973, § 16-10-9; Code 1994, § 38-319; Ord. of 12-10-1990, § 1)

State Law reference— Hitchhiking in road, G.L. 1956, § 31-18-12.

Secs. 36-547—36-570. - Reserved.#