NYC Administrative Code

§ 19-195 — Pedestrian crossings and control signals.

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What is NYC AC § 19-195?

Quick Answer

This section outlines the rules for pedestrian control signals, including the meanings of steady and flashing signals, and the responsibilities of pedestrians at crosswalks. It emphasizes that pedestrians must exercise care when crossing roadways. Applies to all pedestrians using roadways in New York City.

General informational summary. Not legal advice for your situation. Consult an attorney before acting on any specific matter.

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§ 19-195 Pedestrian crossings and control signals.

AC § 19-195

a. Whenever pedestrian control signals are in operation, exhibiting symbols of a walking person, upraised hand, or upraised hand with a pedestrian countdown display, or any other internationally recognized representation concerning the movement of pedestrians, such signals shall indicate as follows: 1. Steady walking person. Pedestrians facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of such signal, and other traffic shall yield the right of way to such pedestrians.

2.Flashing upraised hand or flashing upraised hand with pedestrian countdown display. Pedestrians facing such signal are advised that there may be insufficient time to cross the roadway. Pedestrians already in the roadway are cautioned to proceed to the nearest sidewalk or safety island in the direction of such signal. Other traffic shall yield the right of way to pedestrians proceeding across the roadway within the crosswalk towards such signal for as long as such signal remains flashing.

3.Steady upraised hand. Pedestrians crossing in the direction of such signal do not have the right of way. Pedestrians entering the roadway in the direction of such signal will be at risk of injury due to other traffic that has the right of way. Pedestrians may proceed across the roadway in the direction of a steady upraised hand but shall yield to other traffic that has the right of way, provided that a failure to yield shall not be a violation of this section. b. Pedestrians crossing at points outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk do not have the right of way. Pedestrians may cross any roadway, other than a limited access highway, at any point, including points outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, but shall yield to other traffic that has the right of way, provided that a failure to yield shall not be a violation of this section. c. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, a pedestrian must exercise all duty of care when entering a roadway at a crosswalk facing a pedestrian signal with a steady upraised hand or at a point other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk. Nothing in this section shall be construed to relieve any person from the duty of due care for their safety or the safety of others in a roadway. (L.L. 2016/115, 9/28/2016, eff. 12/27/2016; Am. L.L. 2024/098, 10/26/2024, eff. 2/23/2025)

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