Article 20. Rules Applicable to Pedestrians
1. Contracting Parties or subdivisions thereof shall be free not to enforce the
provisions of this Article except in cases where pedestrian traffic on the carriageway
would be dangerous or would obstruct vehicular traffic.
2. If, at the side of the carriageway, there are pavements (sidewalks) or suitable
verges for pedestrians, pedestrians shall use them. Nevertheless, if they take the
necessary precautions:
(a) Pedestrians pushing or carrying bulky objects may use the
carriageway if they would seriously inconvenience other pedestrians by walking on
the pavement (sidewalk) or verge;
(b) Groups of pedestrians led by a person in charge or forming
a procession may walk on the carriageway.
3. If it is not possible to use pavements (sidewalks) or verges, or if none is provided,
pedestrians may walk on the carriageway; where there is a cycle track and the density
of traffic so permits, they may walk on the cycle track, but shall not obstruct
cycle and moped traffic in doing so.
4. Pedestrians walking on the carriageway in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3
of this Article shall keep as close as possible to the edge of the carriageway.
5. It is recommended that domestic legislation should provide as follows: pedestrians
walking on the carriageway shall keep to the side opposite to that appropriate to
the direction of traffic except where to do so places them in danger. However, persons
pushing a cycle, a moped or a motorcycle, and groups of pedestrians led by a person
in charge or forming a procession shall in all cases keep to the side of the carriageway
appropriate to the direction of traffic. Unless they form a procession, pedestrians
walking on the carriageway shall, by night or when visibility is poor and, by day,
if the density of vehicular traffic so requires, walk in single file wherever possible.
6. (a) Pedestrians wishing to cross a carriageway shall not step on to it without
exercising care; they shall use a pedestrian crossing whenever there is one nearby;
(b) In order to cross the carriageway at a pedestrian crossing
signposted as such or indicated by markings on the carriageway:
(i) If
the crossing is equipped with light signals for pedestrians, the latter shall obey
the instructions given by such lights;
(ii) If
the crossing is not equipped with such lights, but vehicular traffic is regulated
by traffic light signals or by an authorized official, pedestrians shall not step
onto the carriageway while the traffic light signal or the signal given by the authorized
official indicates that vehicles may proceed along it;
(iii) At other
pedestrian crossings, pedestrians shall not step on to the carriageway without taking
the distance and speed of approaching vehicles into account.
(c) In order to cross the carriageway elsewhere than
at a pedestrian crossing signposted as such or indicated by markings on the carriageway,
pedestrians shall not step on to the carriageway without first making sure that
they can do so without impeding vehicular traffic.
(d) Once they have started to cross a carriageway,
pedestrians shall not take an unnecessarily long route, and shall not linger or
stop on the carriageway unnecessarily.
7. However, Contracting Parties or subdivisions thereof may impose stricter requirements
on pedestrians crossing the carriageway.
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