§ 21963 Blind Pedestrian Right-Of-Way

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

This law says drivers must stop and let blind people with white canes or guide dogs cross the street first. If a driver doesn't stop, they can get fined or even go to jail.

Key Takeaways

•Drivers must always stop for blind people using white canes or guide dogs.
•If a driver doesn't stop, they can be fined up to $1,000 or go to jail for six months.
•This law is serious—drivers can't ignore it, even if other laws also apply.

Example

A blind person is crossing the street with a white cane, and a car doesn't stop for them.

The driver can get in big trouble, like paying a fine between $500 and $1,000 or even going to jail for up to six months.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 21963 Blind Pedestrian Right-Of-Way

A totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a predominantly white cane (with or without a red tip), or using a guide dog, shall have the right-of-way, and the driver of any vehicle approaching this pedestrian, who fails to yield the right-of-way, or to take all reasonably necessary precautions to avoid injury to this blind pedestrian, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. This section shall not preclude prosecution under any other applicable provision of law. (Amended by Stats. 1993, Ch. 1149, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 1994.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

predominantly white cane guide dog right-of-way misdemeanor

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21963.

§ 21963 Blind Pedestrian Right-Of-Way

Vehicle Code·California

AI SummaryVerified

§ 21963 Blind Pedestrian Right-Of-Way

This law says drivers must stop and let blind people with white canes or guide dogs cross the street first. If a driver doesn't stop, they can get fined or even go to jail.

Key Takeaways

•Drivers must always stop for blind people using white canes or guide dogs.
•If a driver doesn't stop, they can be fined up to $1,000 or go to jail for six months.
•This law is serious—drivers can't ignore it, even if other laws also apply.

Example

A blind person is crossing the street with a white cane, and a car doesn't stop for them.

The driver can get in big trouble, like paying a fine between $500 and $1,000 or even going to jail for up to six months.

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

Official Source

View on CA.gov

§ 21963 Blind Pedestrian Right-Of-Way

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

predominantly white cane guide dog right-of-way misdemeanor

References

Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 21963.

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References

Key Takeaways

Example

Key Terms

Related Statutes

References