Do I HAVE to Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalks in Virginia? New Laws

Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at marked or unmarked crosswalks, and also at intersections where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.  If the intersection has signal lights, the pedestrian has as much responsibility to follow the indicators signals as the driver does, however the driver should remain cautious and yield to any pedestrians that may be in the path of travel.

Starting in July 2025, Virginia will be implementing a new law that requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. That's right, no more speeding past that poor soul trying to make it to the other side without getting flattened like a pancake. This law is meant to make the roads safer for everyone, from pedestrians to cyclists to drivers.

One new Virginia law which takes effect July 1, 2025  makes failure to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk  a traffic infraction. If it results in the injury or death, it's now a Class 1 misdemeanor.

But why the sudden change? Well, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation, there has been an alarming increase in pedestrian-related accidents in recent years. In fact, in 2024 alone, there were over 2,000 reported incidents involving pedestrians being struck by vehicles. That's a lot of close calls and near misses that could have been avoided if drivers had just taken a moment to yield to those on foot.

So, what exactly does the new law entail? Essentially, if a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk, drivers must come to a complete stop and allow them to cross safely. Failure to do so could result in a hefty fine and even points on your license. And let's be real, nobody wants that hassle.

Now, I know what you're thinking - what about those pesky pedestrians who take forever to cross the street, or worse, jaywalk? Well, the law also states that pedestrians must not unnecessarily delay traffic when crossing the street. So, if you see someone dilly-dallying in the crosswalk, feel free to give them a friendly honk or wave to hurry them along.

But at the end of the day, it's all about mutual respect and safety on the road. We're all just trying to get from Point A to Point B in one piece, so let's do our part to make sure everyone gets there safely. So, next time you see a pedestrian waiting to cross the street, remember - it's the law to stop for them in Virginia. And hey, maybe give them a little wave or smile as they make their way across. After all, we're all in this together.

Read Virginia Law reguarding in pedestrians in crosswalks https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title46.2/chapter8/section46.2-924/