Arizona
Here’s what Arizona law says about pedestrians’ right of way
What to do if you’re in an accident on an Arizona roadway
In the event of an accident, here are some things you need to know.
The Republic
Arizonans may think pedestrians always having the right of way is a given.
State law, however, does not quite reach that conclusion.
When pedestrians have the right of way varies based on the situation. And there is a lot to take into account.
Making matters more concerning, data from the Arizona Department of Transportation shows that in 2024 there were 2,079 pedestrians involved in traffic crashes in the state. Of these, 263 were killed.
The Arizona Republic sampled expertise on pedestrian right of way from those who know the rules best: law enforcement.
Here is what you should know about the laws regarding pedestrian right of way in Arizona.
What Arizona law says about pedestrians’ right of way in a crosswalk
Unless there is a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing, motorists must yield the right of way to a pedestrian on a crosswalk, according to Arizona state law, A.R.S. 28-792. Pedestrians also have right of way when a pedestrian is on half of the roadway that the vehicle is traveling or when approaching a vehicle so closely from the opposite half of the road that they are in danger, the law says.
Additionally, the law directs drivers to not try and pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
Are there exceptions to when a pedestrian has a right of way in Arizona?
A pedestrian cannot “leave any curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield,” the law states.
What law enforcement says about pedestrians’ right of way in Arizona
Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Bower explained that a pedestrian crossing a crosswalk with signage indicating not to cross would be a fault in a crash. Pedestrians cannot cross the street on an angle, but must cross in a straight path, Bower added.
“The pedestrians have to ensure that there is safe distance and it’s safe to cross over,” Bower said. “It’s still up to the drivers that if there’s somebody in the street, they have to still slow down or stop for that individual.”
Marked crosswalks typically have white lines painted on them, he noted, adding, there are also the ones with traffic signals at major intersections.
Bower also pointed to the High Intensity Activated CrossWalK (HAWK) crosswalks found in Phoenix, which are activated by a pedestrian pushing a button and a sequence of yellow, red and flashing red lights for motorists to yield.
Some tips for drivers regarding pedestrians’ right of way
Mesa police spokesperson Detective Jessie Macias advised that pedestrians make eye contact with approaching drivers.
“Try to be seen,” Macias said. “You want to do it in each lane.”
Macias also urged drivers approaching a green light where some vehicles appear to have slowed down or have come to a complete stop to double check whether there is a pedestrian still crossing.
PAGE, AZ (AZFamily) — A person accused of making terroristic threats toward a northern Arizona medical facility was arrested Friday morning.
Just after 10:30 p.m., police received a report of a person calling the facility and threatening to kill staff and Native Americans, according to the Page Police Department.
Authorities said staff placed the facility on lockdown until officers identified the suspect and arrested them outside their home.
The suspect was booked on charges of disorderly conduct, threatening and intimidating, and making terroristic threats. Police have not publicly identified the person.
“The Page Police Department is grateful for and supports the medical staff’s decision to put the medical facility into lockdown until the suspect was arrested and the situation was rendered safe,” the department said in a Facebook post.
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In these four-round projections, the Arizona Cardinals don’t get a tackle until the fourth round.
We are just days away from the 2026 NFL draft, and that means some final mock drafts. What direction will the draft take the Arizona Cardinals?
Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy put together a four-round mock draft for the Cardinals. They go defense early but rebuild the offense for 2026 and moving forward, including landing their potential franchise quarterback.
Cardinals 4-round mock draft
Here are the players in the first four rounds Popejoy projects for Arizona.
- Round 1: Ohio State EDGE/LB Arvell Reese
- Round 2: Alabama QB Ty Simpson
- Round 3: Clemson WR Antonio Williams
- Round 4: Florida OT Austin Barber
What we think of the picks
The Cardinals want to trade out of the third pick and draft a tackle, so not getting a tackle until Round 4 seems unlikely, although they did meet with Barber. They do have options at right tackle for 2026 already on the roster.
Reese would be a great pick if they don’t trade back, as they badly need pass-rushing help off the edge.
Drafting Simpson seems inevitable at this point, so it has to be in a mock draft, although the feeling is they will need to go up into Round 1 again to get him.
Williams has speed and is almost six feet tall, but he does have short arms.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Due to significant injuries to the CB position last year which includes a shoulder surgery for Terrion Arnold, the Lions CB position scored a 6/10 need on my Lions Defensive Draft Need Rankings. Thus, an early-round selection of a young, healthy prospect like Keith Abney would not come as a surprise. He enters the draft with very low medical concern level.
Here is the excerpt from my medical report on Keith Abney:
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information are unverified and subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Keith Abney, CB (21) – Arizona State
Projected round 2-3. #43 on Jeff Risdon board Feb 19.
Concern level 0/10
There is an isolated report of a hand injury but no corroborating information. Even if the hand injury is true, that’s of minimal to no long-term concern.
His availability in his final two seasons has been perfect. Overall, Abney appears to be medically clean and is at an excellent age.
He finished college with 6 INT and 21 PBU.
For more Lions coverage, follow us on X, @TheLionsWire, and give our Facebook page a like. Follow Jimmy on X, @JimmyLiaoMD
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