PEDESTRIANS DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE RIGHT-OF-WAY 55-8-133. Pedestrians subject to traffic regulations. (a) Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic-control signals at intersections as provided in § 55-8-110, and at all other places, pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject to the restrictions stated in this chapter and chapter 10, parts 1-5 of this title. (b) Local authorities are hereby empowered to require by ordinances that pedestrians strictly comply with the directions of any official traffic- control signal and may by ordinance prohibit pedestrians from crossing any roadway in a business district or any designated highways except in a crosswalk. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 32; T.C.A., § 59-833.] 55-8-134. Pedestrians' right-of-way in crosswalks. (a) When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the 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. (b) 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 that it is impossible for the driver to yield. (c) Subsection (a) does not apply under the conditions stated in § 55-8-135(b). (d) Whenever 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 any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 33; T.C.A., § 59-834.] 55-8-135. Crossing at other than crosswalks. (a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway 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 the roadway. (b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (c) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 34; T.C.A., § 59-835.] 55-8-136. Drivers to exercise due care. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this chapter, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway, and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary, and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 35; T.C.A., § 59-836.] 55-8-137. Pedestrians to use right half of crosswalks. Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 36; T.C.A., § 59-837.] 55-8-138. Pedestrians on roadways. (a) Where sidewalks are provided, it is unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. (b) Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may approach from the opposite direction. (c) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 37; T.C.A., § 59-838; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.] 55-8-139. Pedestrians soliciting rides or business. (a) No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride or employment from the occupant of any vehicle. (b) No person shall stand on or in proximity to a street or highway for the purpose of soliciting the watching or guarding of any vehicle while parked or about to be parked on a street or highway. (c) A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor. [Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 38; T.C.A., § 59-839; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.]
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