CHAPTER 371
Pedestrians
371.01   Right of way in crosswalk.
371.02   Right of way of blind person.
371.03   Crossing roadway outside crosswalk; diagonal crossings at intersections.
371.04   Moving upon right half of crosswalk.
371.05   Walking along highways.
371.06   Use of city streets and roadways for soliciting.
371.07   Right of way on sidewalk.
371.08   Yielding to public safety vehicle.
371.09   Walking on highway while under the influence.
371.10   On bridges or railroad crossings.
371.11   Persons operating motorized wheelchairs.
371.12   Operation of electric personal assistive mobility devices.
371.13   Operation of personal delivery device on sidewalks and crosswalks.
371.14   Low-speed micromobility devices.
371.99   Penalty.
   CROSS REFERENCES
   See sectional histories for similar State law
   Pedestrian defined - see TRAF. 301.22
   Pedestrians prohibited on freeways - see TRAF. 303.06
   Obedience to traffic control devices - see TRAF. 313.01, 313.03
   Pedestrian control signals - see TRAF. 313.05
371.01 RIGHT-OF-WAY IN CROSSWALK.
   (a)   When traffic-control signals are not in place, not in operation, or are not clearly assigning the right-of- way, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, or if required by Ohio R.C. 4511.132 or a substantially similar municipal ordinance, 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 as to constitute an immediate hazard.
   (c)   Division (a) of this section does not apply under the conditions stated in Ohio R.C. 4511.48(B), or a substantially similar municipal ordinance.
   (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 the stopped vehicle.
   (e)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
   (f)   If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under § 303.99(b).
(ORC 4511.46)
371.02 RIGHT-OF-WAY OF BLIND PERSON.
   (a)   (1)   As used in this section “blind person” or “blind pedestrian” means a person having not more than 20/200 visual acuity in the better eye with correcting lenses, or visual acuity greater than 20/200, but with a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20°.
      (2)   The driver of every vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to every blind pedestrian guided by a guide dog, or carrying a cane which is predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip.
   (b)   No person, other than a blind person, while on any public highway, street, alley, or other public thoroughfare, shall carry a white or metallic cane, with or without a red tip.
   (c)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
   (d)   If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under § 303.99(b).
(ORC 4511.47)
371.03 CROSSING ROADWAY OUTSIDE CROSSWALK; DIAGONAL CROSSINGS AT INTERSECTIONS.
   (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 traffic 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.
   (d)   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.
   (e)   This section does not relieve the operator of a vehicle from exercising due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway.
   (f)   Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
(ORC 4511.48)
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