{"code":"VEH","codeName":"Vehicle Code","section":"21956","citation":"Veh. Code, § 21956","status":"in-force","lawOn":"2026-09-28","headings":[{"name":"DIVISION 11. RULES OF THE ROAD [21000. - 23336.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-11"},{"name":"CHAPTER 5. Pedestrians’ Rights and Duties [21949. - 21971.]","url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/division-11/chapter-5"}],"history":"Amended by Stats. 2022, Ch. 957, Sec. 12.   (AB 2147)   Effective January 1, 2023.","effective":"2023-01-01","html":"<p>(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.</p><p>(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.</p><p>(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.</p><p>(2) This subdivision does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for their safety.</p><p>(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.</p>","text":"(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.","otherVersions":[],"url":"https://blackletter.si/vehicle-code/pedestrians-rights-and-duties-21956","source":"California Legislative Information bulk export (pubinfo)"}