NCDOT Division of Motor Vehicles: Driver Handbook: Chapter 4

At intersections without traffic signals, pedestrians have the right-of-way if they are in marked crosswalks, or in unmarked crosswalks formed by imaginary lines extending from the sidewalks across the streets.
At intersections controlled by ordinary traffic signals, pedestrians must obey the same signals as drivers traveling in the same direction - Pedestrians should not start to cross during a red or yellow signal.
When crossing with a green signal, pedestrians have the right-of-way over all vehicles, including those turning across the paths of the pedestrians.
If a traffic signal changes to yellow or red while any pedestrian remains in the street, drivers must allow the pedestrian to complete the crossing safely.

Note: At some intersections, special signals instruct pedestrians either to "Walk" or "Don't Walk". When these signals are operating, pedestrians must obey them rather than regular traffic signals.
Pedestrians crossing with special pedestrian signals have the right-of-way just as they do while crossing with a green light.
If you are moving through an intersection with a green signal and a pedestrian starts to cross in your path against the red signal, give a warning with your horn.

The law requires drivers to use the horn whenever a pedestrian may be affected by a turn, stop or start from a parked position. If the pedestrian does not stop, the driver must. Saving a pedestrians life is always worth the drivers lost right-of-way. The safe driver yields right-of-way to a pedestrian whether the pedestrian is entitled to it or not.

Special Considerations for Blind Pedestrians:

The law gives a blind pedestrian special consideration at intersections where there are no traffic signals. When the blind pedestrian extends a white cane or a white cane tipped with red or is with a guide dog, all vehicles approaching the intersection must come to a full stop. All vehicles must remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed safely.

Vehicles Requiring Special Consideration:

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School Buses:

The maximum speed limit for a school bus is 45 mph. School bus drivers travel more than half a million miles each school day and transport almost three-quarters of a million children every morning and afternoon. During the hours that school buses are operating (generally 7-9 a.m. and 2-4 p.m.), drivers should be especially careful.

Divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation: When school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Two-lane roadway: When school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
Four-lane roadway without a median separation: When school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.
Roadway of four lanes or more with a center turning lane: When school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop.
Two-lane roadway with a center turning lane: When school bus stops for passengers, all traffic from both directions must stop.

Children waiting for the bus or unloading the bus might dart out into traffic. Even when the school bus is not in sight, children at a bus stop sometimes will run into the street unexpectedly. Always be careful around school buses and school bus stops.

Emergency Vehicles

Police cars, ambulances, fire engines and rescue vehicles with flashing lights or sirens are always entitled to the right-of-way.

Follow these guidelines when approaching or being approached by an emergency vehicle:

As the emergency vehicle approaches (from ahead or behind), drive to the right-hand curb or edge of the road and stop completely.
Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed, or until you are directed to move by a traffic officer.
Do not park within 100 feet of an emergency vehicle that has stopped to investigate an accident or to give assistance.
Do not drive or park closer than one block from fire trucks responding to a fire alarm.

All vehicles, regardless of direction of travel, must yield right of way to an approaching emergency vehicle.
Never drive a motor vehicle over a fire hose.

These guidelines should be followed when approaching a parked authorized emergency vehicle that is giving a warning signal by use of flashing lights. The driver shall as soon as it is safe and when not otherwise directed by an individual lawfully directing traffic, do one of the following:

If the roadway has at least two lanes of traffic and you can change lanes safely without interfering with vehicular traffic, move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked vehicle. Continue traveling in that lane until safely clear.
If the road has only one lane of traffic or you may not change lanes safely without interfering with vehicular traffic, slow the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic condition. Operate the vehicle at a reduced speed until completely past the authorized emergency vehicle.

Central Issuance of Driver Licenses
Lillington Pilot Project

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Manual de Manejo de Carolina del Norte


		The North Carolina Department of Transportation