Clarksville Pedestrian Ordinances

As the county seat of Montgomery County and the fifth largest city in Tennessee, Clarksville sees quite a bit of pedestrian traffic. Pedestrian injuries in Montgomery County are in the double digits each year, with 36 reported in 2012 and 26 reported in 2013. Accordingly, Clarksville has local ordinances which apply, in addition to state law, in an effort to reduce the risk of pedestrian-automobile accidents.

For Clarksville Pedestrians:

• Pedestrians must not walk or run into the road or into the path of a vehicle when the vehicle is so close that it would not be able to stop.
• When crossing a road, pedestrians must go in a right angle to the curb or by the shortest route possible to the opposite curb, unless the pedestrian is using a marked crosswalk.
• If a pedestrian is not in a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, he must yield the right-of-way to vehicles.
• Pedestrians should not go through, around, over or under any railroad crossing gate or barrier when it is closed or being opened/closed.
• If a sidewalk is provided, pedestrians must use it. If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road or shoulder facing traffic.
• Pedestrians at a yellow light must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, as there is insufficient time to cross the street.
• Pedestrians must obey all traffic signals and directions given by official persons.
• Pedestrians must follow all pedestrian control signals, such as “walk” and “don’t walk.”

For Clarksville Drivers:

• When traffic control signals are not in use, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within crosswalks.
• When at a green light, drivers may proceed but must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully in the intersection or crosswalk.
• When at a red light, a driver may make a right turn (unless prohibited), but must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on the cross street.
• Drivers turning pursuant to a red light with a green arrow must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• Drivers must observe all traffic signals and directions given by official persons.
• When a vehicle is stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a road, other approaching vehicles are not allowed to pass the stopped vehicle.
• When emerging from an alley, driveway or building, drivers must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian on the sidewalk area to avoid collision.
• Drivers must exercise due care to avoid hitting pedestrians, using their horn when necessary. Special care should be given when the pedestrian is a child or a confused/incapacitated person.

If you have been injured as a pedestrian in Clarksville or Montgomery County, contact our experienced lawyers to review your case for free. We will let you know whether we can help. We handle all pedestrian accident cases on a contingency basis. Call us at 615-742-4880 or toll-free at 866.812.8787 or simply fill out this form and we will contact you.

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