Am I required to use the nearest crosswalk when two signals are next to each other in Georgia?

· 3 min read

When a pedestrian is between two adjacent intersections that both have traffic signals, Georgia law does require crossing within a marked crosswalk rather than cutting across mid-block. The presence of two signalized intersections close together triggers a specific restriction that does not apply on every stretch of road.

The rule between two signalized intersections

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-92, between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are operating, a pedestrian may not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. The law treats the signal-controlled block as a managed traffic environment where unpredictable mid-block crossings are especially hazardous. So when two signals flank a block, the lawful path is the marked crosswalk, not the shortest line across the street.

This is narrower than a general “always use a crosswalk” command. It applies specifically where both intersections bordering the segment have working signals, which is common in denser commercial corridors and downtown grids.

How this connects to the duty to yield

Outside the special between-signals situation, a pedestrian crossing away from a crosswalk generally must yield to vehicles already on the roadway under the same statute, unless the pedestrian safely entered the roadway first. The between-signals rule goes a step further by restricting where crossing may occur at all. The statute also bars crossing an intersection diagonally unless traffic-control devices authorize it.

None of this removes the driver’s responsibilities. Georgia still requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid striking pedestrians and to take extra care around children or anyone who appears confused or incapacitated.

What a violation means for a claim

If a pedestrian crosses outside the required crosswalk between two signals and is struck, that misstep becomes a fact a jury can fold into the blame. It does not, however, dictate the result. O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 lets the pedestrian still recover, just on a reduced basis: the award drops by the percentage of fault assigned to the pedestrian, and the recovery disappears only when that percentage climbs to 50% or beyond. A driver who was speeding, looking at a phone, or otherwise careless can be handed the larger share, so an out-of-crosswalk crossing rarely ends the claim on its own.

The bottom line

Between two adjacent signalized intersections in Georgia, a pedestrian is required to cross within a marked crosswalk rather than mid-block. Crossing elsewhere there can count against a pedestrian as fault, yet comparative-fault rules and the driver’s own duty of care still shape whether and how much a pedestrian may recover.

This article is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney-client relationship, and Georgia law may change. For advice about a specific situation, consult a licensed Georgia personal injury attorney.

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