According to the St. Gallen canton police, there is often a lack of clarity as to what rights and obligations pedestrians have in road traffic. They provide clarity in a guidebook recently published.
Where do pedestrians have right of way?
People who are on foot in traffic have right of way on pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, and footpaths that are marked with a blue mandatory sign. Every child knows: “I have right of way on the pedestrian crossing!” But suddenly crossing the street on a pedestrian crossing without waiting for an approaching vehicle to stop is not only inconsiderate but also dangerous.
In meeting zones, pedestrians always have right of way over rolling traffic. This also applies when crossing the street. This looks different with 30 zones. “Pedestrians are generally allowed to cross the street anywhere, but they have to give way to the vehicles on the street,” says the guide.
Behavior at the pedestrian crossing and light signals
According to the police, abruptly entering the pedestrian crossing without taking into account the rolling traffic can also be seen as “enforcing the right of way” from a legal point of view, which is an offense against road traffic legislation. If the lane is crossed next to the pedestrian crossing, this could be punished with a fine of ten francs. This rule applies up to 50 meters before and after the pedestrian crossing. The same regulations apply to pedestrian crossings and underpasses.
According to the police, it happens again and again that people in their motor vehicles are distracted while driving. “If someone enters the pedestrian crossing at this moment, dangerous situations or even accidents can occur,” says the guide. Entering the road, for example behind a bus stopping or parked vehicles, is similarly dangerous.
Traffic lights also apply to pedestrians, at least those that are intended for such. Entering the lane when it is red and ignoring the light signal can be punished with a fine of 20 francs. “So it is not only worthwhile to wait for the green phase of a light signal for security reasons,” said the police.
Behavior on expressways
According to the guide, extreme caution is advised in the event of a breakdown on a motorway. It is advisable to seek protection behind the guardrail immediately when leaving the vehicle on a lane. In addition, you should put on a safety vest as soon as possible. “Regardless of this, anyone entering the road for no reason is punished with a fine of 20 francs and is also extremely dangerous.” According to the police, many underestimate such a situation and the dangers involved.
There are also a few things to consider when jogging or walking along the edge of the road without a sidewalk: If you are on a public road, you have to walk on the left edge of the road. If several people are traveling together, they must walk one behind the other. Walking or running is not forbidden, even on stretches out of town, but requires all the more caution on the part of the pedestrian. It is not allowed to stay casually at the edge of the lane of motorways and motorways.
Additional security measures
Before starting a walk on the side of the road, the police advise you to think about the appropriate equipment while you are at home. If it is dark outside or the weather is bad, you should wear light-colored clothing or, at best, clothing with reflective fabrics. If such clothing is not available, it makes sense to equip yourself with a flashlight or other light source in poor visibility conditions.
The conclusion from the police’s point of view: «Be considerate. Because if all road users pay attention to each other, many dangerous situations can be defused at an early stage or they do not arise at all.”
According to police spokesman Pascal Häderli, Kapo SG is primarily preventive in the pedestrian area. “We seek conversation and make pedestrians aware of their misconduct. Most pedestrians appreciate this. Therefore, buses are only distributed occasionally,” says Häderli.