Pedestrian safety rules — Tennessee Permit Test

Pedestrians must walk on sidewalks when they are available; it is unlawful to walk in the road where there are sidewalks.

A person walking in the road shares the lane with cars. Drivers do not expect them there and may not see them in time.

It is unlawful for pedestrians to walk in the road where there are sidewalks.

When there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing traffic.

Facing traffic lets you see a car drifting toward you and jump clear. With your back to traffic, you never see it coming.

When there are no sidewalks, always walk on the left side of the road facing traffic (traffic should be coming toward you), this allows you to see any sudden dangers coming at you.

Two or more pedestrians walking along a road should walk in single file, never side by side.

Walking side by side pushes the outer person into the lane. A passing car has to swing out or brush past them.

Two or more pedestrians should walk in single file and never side by side of each other.

Before crossing, stop at the curb, look left-right-left, and if it is clear begin crossing while checking over your shoulder for turning cars.

Cars in the nearest lane come from your left. One last look left catches a car that appeared while you were looking right.

Look left-right-left, and if it’s clear, begin crossing, look over your shoulder for turning vehicles.

If you are in the middle of the street when the DON'T WALK signal starts flashing, keep walking; you have time to finish crossing.

Turning back in the middle of the street confuses drivers and doubles your time in the road. Finishing the crossing is safer.

If you are in the middle of the street and the DON”T WALK signal starts flashing, continue walking.

When walking at night, wear bright or reflective clothing; carrying a flashlight is your safest bet for being seen.

In dark clothes a walker can be invisible until a car is too close to stop. A light shows drivers where you are from far away.

Carrying a flashlight is your safest bet for being seen at night.

Pedestrians must not suddenly leave a curb and walk into the path of a vehicle so close that it is an immediate hazard; vehicles cannot stop at once.

Having the right-of-way does not stop a car. A car a few feet away will hit you no matter what the law says.

Although drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway, pedestrians must not suddenly leave a curb or other safe waiting place and walk into the path of vehicle traffic if it so close that it is an immediate hazard.

Where must pedestrians walk when a sidewalk is available?

On the sidewalk. A person walking in the road shares the lane with cars. Drivers do not expect them there and may not see them in time. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.104: “It is unlawful for pedestrians to walk in the road where there are sidewalks.”