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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 11Ch. 5§ 21956 Pedestrian Roadway Walking Rules

§ 21956 Pedestrian Roadway Walking Rules

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 21956 Pedestrian Roadway Walking Rules

This law says pedestrians must walk on the left side of the road when outside of town areas. If it's safer, they can walk on the right side instead.

Key Takeaways

  • •Walk on the left side of the road when outside of town areas.
  • •You can walk on the right side if it's safer (like if crossing would be dangerous).
  • •Police can only stop you if you're being really unsafe and might cause a crash.
  • •Even with this rule, you still have to be careful, and drivers must watch out for you too.

Example

You're walking on a country road with no sidewalks.

You should walk on the left side so you can see cars coming toward you. If crossing the road would be dangerous, you can walk on the right side instead.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21956 Pedestrian Roadway Walking Rules

(a) A pedestrian shall not walk upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district otherwise than close to the pedestrian’s left-hand edge of the roadway. (b) A pedestrian may walk close to their right-hand edge of the roadway if a crosswalk or other means of safely crossing the roadway is not available or if existing traffic or other conditions would compromise the safety of a pedestrian attempting to cross the road. (c) (1) A peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, shall not stop a pedestrian for a violation of this section unless a reasonably careful person would realize there is an immediate danger of a collision with a moving vehicle or other device moving exclusively by human power. (2) This subdivision does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for their safety. (3) This subdivision does not relieve a driver of a vehicle from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within the roadway. (Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 957, Sec. 12. (AB 2147) Effective January 1, 2023.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

pedestrianleft-hand edge of the roadwayimmediate danger of a collisiondue care

Related Statutes

  • § 21954 Pedestrian Right Of Way Rules
  • § 21966 Pedestrian Bicycle Path Restrictions
  • § 21955 Pedestrian Crossing Restrictions
  • § 21961 Pedestrian Crossing Enforcement Limits
  • § 21952 Pedestrian Right-Of-Way On Sidewalks

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21956.
View Official Source