Is it legal to cross an intersection diagonally as a pedestrian in Georgia?

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Diagonal crossing of an intersection is generally not legal in Georgia unless traffic-control devices specifically authorize it. The default expectation is that pedestrians cross straight across one roadway at a time, and cutting corner-to-corner across the whole intersection is prohibited absent permission.

The diagonal-crossing prohibition

O.C.G.A. § 40-6-92 states that no pedestrian may cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices. Some intersections use a “scramble” or all-way pedestrian phase, marked with diagonal crosswalk lines and signals, where diagonal crossing is permitted during a dedicated interval. Where no such device authorizes it, a pedestrian who walks diagonally across the intersection is crossing unlawfully.

The reason is predictability. Drivers anticipate pedestrians moving across a single roadway within a crosswalk, not tracing a long diagonal path through the middle of the intersection where turning and through traffic converge.

How it fits the larger crossing rules

The diagonal ban sits within the same statute that governs crossing outside crosswalks. A pedestrian crossing away from a crosswalk generally must yield to vehicles already on the road, unless they safely entered first, and between two signalized intersections a pedestrian must use a marked crosswalk. The diagonal rule complements these by limiting not just where but how a pedestrian may move through an intersection.

Drivers, for their part, owe an ongoing obligation to operate carefully enough to avoid any pedestrian, to give a warning when one is called for, and to show heightened care around children or anyone who seems impaired. That duty persists even toward a pedestrian who is crossing improperly.

When a diagonal crossing leads to a crash

If a pedestrian crossing diagonally without authorization is struck, the unlawful crossing can be counted against them as fault. O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 converts that into a percentage that pares the pedestrian’s recovery and bars it at 50% or more. The driver’s conduct still matters: speeding, distraction, or a missed chance to stop can place meaningful fault on the driver, leaving the pedestrian potentially able to recover if their share stays under the bar.

The bottom line

Crossing an intersection diagonally is generally illegal for pedestrians in Georgia unless an official traffic-control device allows it, such as a marked scramble phase. An unauthorized diagonal crossing can count as fault if a crash occurs, but comparative-fault rules and the driver’s continuing duty of care still determine the result.

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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