Article 43

Drivers’ Behavior Toward Pedestrians

1. Drivers should avoid behaving in a way that could endanger pedestrians.

Subject to paragraph 1 of Article 16, concerning rules of road behavior, and subparagraph (f) of paragraph 3 of Article 21, concerning passing, driving in columns, permissible lane changes, and the operation of mopeds and motorcycles in heavy traffic, and paragraph 1 of Article 23, concerning speed and distance between vehicles, where there are crosswalks on the roadway, which are marked with signs or road markings and where vehicle traffic is regulated by traffic lights or traffic controllers, vehicle drivers are required to:

a) Stop before the crosswalk when a traffic signal prohibits them from proceeding, or when blind people are using and displaying their white canes, to indicate that they are about to cross the street, or when people with disabilities are about to cross the street. When permitted to proceed, they must not interrupt or obstruct the passage of pedestrians, blind people, or people with disabilities who have already entered and are proceeding across the crosswalk, in accordance with Article 42 on pedestrian traffic rules.

b) Drivers intending to turn onto another street, at the entrance to which there is a crosswalk, must drive slowly and yield the right of way to pedestrians who are already using or entering the crosswalk, as provided for in Article 42. In case of emergency, they are required to stop their vehicle.

2. If, at a marked crosswalk, vehicle traffic is not regulated by traffic lights or a crossing guard, drivers are required to approach the crossing at a low speed so as not to endanger pedestrians. If pedestrians are using or preparing to use the crosswalk, drivers must stop their vehicles until the pedestrians have crossed.

On sidewalks marked with special signage, vehicles permitted to enter them must travel at walking speed and yield to pedestrians. Drivers of motor vehicles are required to yield the right of way at crosswalks or bicycle crossings when pedestrians or cyclists, respectively, are using them.

3. In residential areas and urban centers that have been designated and marked as low-traffic zones, the following special rules apply:

(a) Pedestrians may use the entire width of the roadway.

(b) Drivers must proceed at a very low speed, which under no circumstances may exceed twenty (20) kilometers per hour.

c) Drivers of motor vehicles must not endanger pedestrians or behave in a way that obstructs them, but must yield the right of way to pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with mobility impairments. If necessary, they must stop.

(d) Pedestrians must not obstruct vehicle traffic without good reason.

(e) Parking is prohibited, except where permitted by parking signs.

(f) At intersections, road users exiting a residential area must yield the right of way to other road users.

4. Drivers who are about to turn onto another street where there are no signposted crosswalks or crosswalk markings on the road surface are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians who, in the cases specified in paragraph 2 of Article 42, have stepped onto the roadway of the street the drivers are about to enter. If necessary, they are required to stop their vehicle. Drivers are required to pay special attention to pedestrians crossing the street to board public transportation or when alighting from it.

5. Drivers who intend to pass on the right, when permitted to do so, a public transportation vehicle that is stopped at a designated stop must stop to allow passengers to board or alight.

6. Violations of this regulation by a driver are classified under Category E2^ and Category S.