Can I legally cross the street at an intersection that does not have crosswalk lines painted on the pavement?
Yes. According to Vehicle Code Section 21950, pedestrians are permitted to cross at all intersections, whether marked or unmarked, unless prohibited by posted signs. Some crosswalks are marked with painted lines, but most of them are not. This is because emphasis is placed on the use of marked crosswalks as a channelization device rather than a safety device. A proliferation of crosswalk markings would reduce the overall effectiveness. Despite common belief, studies show the safety record to be lower where markings are provided than locations where markings are not provided. One reason is that marked crosswalks give pedestrians a false “sense of security.” A second reason is that “midblock” crosswalks are generally unexpected by motorists. This is because motorists expect pedestrian crossings to occur at intersections. The Traffic Division concurs with State and Federal guidelines which recommend against installing crosswalk markings and prefers pedestrians to cross at signalized inter
