News Updates Effective July 1, 2024!
23 V.S.A. § 4(67)
Prior law: The term “pedestrian” DID NOT include people operating manual wheelchairs or assistive devices such as walkers, and they did not have the right of way in crosswalk.
Update: The term “pedestrian” now includes people operating manual wheelchairs or assistive devices such as crutches or a walker, and they have right of way in cross walk.
23 V.S.A. § 1033- Passing motor vehicles and vulnerable users
Prior law: There was a recommended 4 ft passing distance, when safe and able to do so.
Update: drivers are required to provide 4' of clearance when passing a vulnerable user. Vulnerable users are just about everyone not operating a motor vehicle: people walking, biking, and rolling; including people in wheelchairs, using walkers, road workers, and equestrians.
23 V.S.A. § 1055- Pedestrians on roadways
Prior law: It was illegal for people to walk on the road if there was a sidewalk present.
Update: Any pedestrian can walk on the road as long as they walk only on the left side of the roadway, facing the direction of oncoming traffic.
Know your driving, walking, and bike safety laws in Vermont!
Local Motion offers a summary of the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists in Vermont. You can also view the Vermont statutes online by clicking below.
Review Vermont Statutes Online
Local Motion Pedestrian Rights & Responsibilities Document
Here are shortcuts to some of the most important specific sections of the Vermont State Statutes:
- Passing motor vehicles and vulnerable users
- Pedestrians' right of way in crosswalks
- Crossing except at crosswalks
- Pedestrians on roadways
- Riding on roadways and bicycle paths
- Lights on bicycles, and other equipment
- Hand Signals
- Opening and closing vehicle doors
- Putting glass, other items, on highway prohibited
- Driving on the sidewalk