Sidewalks in Pennsylvania

In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pedestrians must generally walk on a sidewalk where one is available. If there is no sidewalk, then a "pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder as far practicable from the edge of the roadway." If there is no sidewalk and no shoulder, then "any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway."

Copyright 2004 Brock Bevan. All rights reserved.

And, a pedestrian shall not "suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close as to constitute a hazard." Similarly, pedestrians have the right of way once on a sidewalk. "The driver of a vehicle emerging from or entering an alley, building, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian approaching on any sidewalk extending across the alley, building entrance, road or driveway."

If you happen to be "under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance" and a hazard, you're not allowed to walk or be upon a highway "except on a sidewalk."

If you happened to be caught "violating" any provision, then you are "guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $5."