§ 21951 Pedestrian Crosswalk Passing Rule

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says you can't pass a car that's stopped to let someone cross the street.

Key Takeaways

•If a car stops for someone crossing the street, you must stop too.
•Don't try to go around the stopped car.
•This rule is for both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

Example

You're driving behind a car that stops at a crosswalk to let a person walk across the street.

You have to stop too and wait. You can't go around the stopped car.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 21951 Pedestrian Crosswalk Passing Rule

Whenever any vehicle has stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. (Enacted by Stats. 1959, Ch. 3.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

marked crosswalk unmarked crosswalk overtake and pass

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21951.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References