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The streets and sidewalks of the UMBC campus are extremely busy during the day and early evening hours with both pedestrian and motorist movement. Unfortunately many pedestrians and motorists alike are not sure what their responsibilities are in relation to each other. Maryland Traffic Law establishes traffic practices, including the movement of pedestrians and vehicles on the UMBC campus. The law specifically states that pedestrians have the right-of-way at controlled intersections and in marked crosswalks. The motorist is required to bring their vehicle to a complete stop when a pedestrian is crossing in the crosswalk of the roadway and remain stopped until the pedestrian(s) has cleared the lane (half of the roadway) in which the vehicle is traveling.
Pedestrians must realize that they are also responsible for protecting themselves and, therefore, have a specific duty to exercise care, caution, and good judgement for their protection. For example, a pedestrian should not leave the curb or other place of safety unless there is adequate distance for a motorist to stop and yield. Also a pedestrian crossing a street at other than a marked crosswalk does not have the right-of-away and thus must yield to an approaching vehicle.
Pedestrian and motorist safety is a major concern of the UMBC Police Department. It is very important to remember that at marked crosswalks the pedestrian has the right-of-way over motorists, but between marked crosswalks motorists have the right-of-way over pedestrians. Regardless of who has the right-of-way, pedestrians and motorists are responsible for using reasonable care and diligence to avoid injuring anyone who, although carelessly, may be in the other's right-of-way.