Here’s what Arizona law says about pedestrians’ right of way

• The Arizona Republic sampled expertise on pedestrian right of way from those who know the rules best: law enforcement.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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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.