Location of Crosswalk
Question
T. Mairs asked: At a T-intersection, with a road running along the top of the “T”, there is a sidewalk (part of the “Walk the Rock” path). There is a community that meets the main sidewalk that has decided to put their crosswalk markings approximately 15 ft. into the community with a stop sign, as opposed to where the sidewalk would cross the street (even though there are the curbs on either side indicating you should continue along the path vs. going into the community to cross). Based upon what I’ve read re: crosswalks, an “implied crosswalk” would exist – is this correct? Additionally, wouldn’t motorists be required to stop again before they enter onto the main road?
Answer
This site is intended to discuss the laws. This question relates to roadway design and construction criteria. I will take a shot at it though, and ask that Dwight, the expert in that area, chime in if he cares to.
My understanding is that the placement of the stop sign is in accordance with FDOT guidelines, before the crosswalk, sidewalk or sidewalk area. That makes sense due to the statutory requirement to stop and yield to pedestrian (bicycle) traffic in the crosswalk.
s. 316.130 – Pedestrians; Traffic Regulations
(7)(c) When traffic control signals are not in place or in operation and there is no signage indicating otherwise (For the sidewalk), 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.
The crosswalk can be either marked or unmarked.
s. 316.003 – Definitions
(6) Crosswalk
(a) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway, measured from the curbs or, in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway.
Whether you would need to stop again before actually entering the roadway is another question.
s. 316.123 – Vehicle Entering Stop or Yield Intersection
(2)(a) …. every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when the driver is moving across or within the intersection.
The yield provision of same law applies until you actually enter the roadway. If there is no oncoming traffic, it seems you have met the stopping requirement and may proceed.
Whether the crosswalk is properly located depends on the FDOT guidelines. You should be aware that it is not necessarily the community at the intersection that installed the crosswalk and stop sign that is responsible. It is the municipality, county or the state that has jurisdiction for the roadways in question that is responsible for compliance with the FDOT guidelines. I suggest that you contact the appropriate agency to determine if it is placed correctly.
Given the curbing design, one could argue that an unmarked crosswalk exists where the lines that connect the approaching sidewalks cross the terminating roadway, i.e., that two crosswalks are actually present at this location–the unmarked one closer to the continuing roadway, and the marked one that is recessed. In practice, the unmarked crosswalk concept is not well known or enforced. Nevertheless where a stop sign and marked crosswalk are recessed in this way at a T-intersection, drivers approaching the continuing roadway often do make a 2-stage stop.
They stop first (or, at least, make a “rolling stop”) at the stop sign and then, if the way just ahead is clear, move forward to approach the edge of the continuing roadway, where they often pause again to get a better look at approaching traffic. Drivers who intend to turn left onto the main road are especially likely to make a 2nd-stage stop; drivers who want to turn right from a driveway or side street sometimes turn onto the main road without stopping again at this point if they don’t notice conflicting traffic.