According to the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT), pedestrian fatalities have been rising in recent years. Currently, Nebraska sees around 20 pedestrian deaths and approximately 400 pedestrian injuries every single year.
To understand who is at fault after a pedestrian accident, you need to look closely at the rules of the road. Nebraska has clear rules for when cars must stop for walkers and when people on foot need to wait.
This guide will explain how Nebraska expects drivers and pedestrians to share the road safely. We will cover crosswalk rules, driver duties, and what to do if you are hurt.
Do Pedestrians Have the Right-of-Way in Nebraska?
Yes, pedestrians generally have the right-of-way in Nebraska when they are crossing streets within marked crosswalks or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians in these situations to ensure their safety. However, pedestrians must also follow traffic signals and avoid suddenly stepping into the path of a vehicle, as mutual responsibility is essential for preventing accidents.
Here are more in-depth Nebraska pedestrian laws to understand.
Pedestrians’ Right-of-Way in Crosswalks
According to 60-6,153, a driver must bring their car to a complete stop to let you pass safely. Also, if one car is stopped at a crosswalk to let a person cross, other cars coming from behind are not allowed to pass that stopped car.
However, you cannot just step into the road without warning. The Nebraska traffic laws in crosswalks state that you must not suddenly leave a curb and walk or run into the path of a car that is too close to stop in time.
Pedestrian Responsibilities on the Road
If there is a sidewalk next to the road, 60-6,156 says you must use it. It is against the law to walk on the street when a safe sidewalk is available. If there is no sidewalk, you should walk on the shoulder of the road, as far away from cars as you can. If there is no shoulder at all, you must walk on the left side of the road, facing the traffic coming toward you.
When you need to cross the street outside of a crosswalk, the rules change. Under 60-6,154, you must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles. This means you must wait for cars to pass before you try to cross.
Driver Duties and Maintaining a Safe Distance
Nebraska right-of-way laws demand that drivers pay close attention to their surroundings at all times. According to 60-6,109, every driver must exercise “due care” to avoid hitting a person walking.
This means they must leave a safe distance of at least three feet between their car and the person on foot. If necessary, the driver should honk their horn to warn the person. Drivers must be extra careful if they see a child or a confused person near the street.
Special Protections for Blind Pedestrians
Nebraska law provides special protections for blind or visually impaired people.
If a driver sees someone carrying a white cane or using a guide dog, they must stop. The driver must remain stopped and let the person cross the street completely, even if they are not at a standard crosswalk.
Read More: What is the Average Pedestrian Accident Settlement Amount?
Safety Tips for Nebraska Pedestrians and Drivers
Here are some pedestrian safety tips for walkers and drivers:
Pedestrian Tips
- Always cross at marked crosswalks or street corners.
- Look left, right, and left again before stepping into the street.
- Make eye contact with drivers to make sure they see you.
- Wear bright clothes during the day and use a flashlight or wear reflective gear at night.
- Put your phone away and take off your headphones when crossing the road.
Driver Tips
- Never text or look at your phone while driving.
- Slow down when driving through neighborhoods or school zones.
- Always stop for people at crosswalks.
- Look carefully before making a turn to ensure no one is walking across your path.
- Give people on foot at least three feet of space when driving past them.
Mutual Respect Prevents Accidents and Saves Lives
Sharing the road requires patience and respect. By following Nebraska right-of-way laws, we can stop these terrible crashes from happening. When drivers slow down, and walkers stay alert, everyone gets home safely. But when rules are broken, innocent people get badly hurt.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury after being hit by a car, you do not have to fight this battle alone. At DM Injury Law, our Omaha pedestrian accident lawyers are ready to fight for you.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
If you travel across the Midwest, we have other pedestrian right-of-way law guides for you to review: