ANSWER:You are correct in that certain information is worthy of repeating from time to time, especially when safety is at stake. Here is the law to which you refer:
From the Maine Revised Statues, Title 29-A: Motor Vehicles and Traffic comes this information regarding pedestrians.
1. Pedestrian traffic. When use of a sidewalk next to a public way is practicable, a pedestrian may not walk on that public way.
2. Pedestrian on way. Where sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian shall walk facing approaching traffic on the left side of the public way or the way’s shoulder when practicable. An operator of a motor vehicle who is passing a pedestrian on a public way or the way’s shoulder shall exercise due care by leaving a distance between the motor vehicle and the pedestrian of not less than 3 feet while the motor vehicle is passing the pedestrian. A motor vehicle operator may pass a pedestrian in a no-passing zone only when it is safe to do so.
3. Pedestrians on sidewalks. An operator shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian on a sidewalk. (If you are turning into a driveway that cuts across a sidewalk, you must wait for the pedestrian to cross that driveway.)
4. Pedestrians in marked crosswalks. When traffic-control devices are not in operation, an operator must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian who is crossing within a marked crosswalk or to a pedestrian who has shown visible intent to enter the marked crosswalk.
5. Pedestrian crossing. A pedestrian must yield the right-of-way to a vehicle when crossing a way:
A. Other than within a marked crosswalk; or
B. With an available pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing.
6. Pedestrian prohibitions. A pedestrian may not:
A. Cross between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control devices operate, except in a marked crosswalk;
B. Cross an intersection diagonally, unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; or
C. Suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the operator to yield.
You can read the entire statute at http://legislature.maine.gov/legis/statutes/29-A/title29-Asec2056.html.
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