Where traffic control signals are not in place
or in operation, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way,
slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing
the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk
at an intersection, except as otherwise provided herein.
Whenever any vehicle is stopped or slowed at
a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection
to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other
vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such
stopped or slowed vehicle.
Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point
other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk
at an intersection shall cross at right angles to the curb or by the
shortest route to the opposite curb and shall yield the right-of-way
to all vehicles upon the roadway.
A.
A pedestrian starting to cross a street in any crosswalk
in the City on a green or "go" signal or where a red and yellow "pedestrian
interval" signal is provided or where a police officer or other authorized
person is directing traffic shall have the right-of-way over all vehicles,
including those making turns, until such pedestrian has reached the
opposite curb. It shall be unlawful and a violation of the provisions
of this chapter for the operator of any vehicle to fail to yield the
right-of-way to any pedestrian who is crossing a street as herein
provided.
B.
In an intersection controlled by traffic signals where
there is no pedestrian interval, a pedestrian facing a yellow or "caution"
signal is thereby advised that there is insufficient time to cross
the street, and any pedestrian starting to cross shall yield the right-of-way
to all vehicles.
C.
In an intersection controlled by traffic signals where
there is no pedestrian interval, it shall be unlawful and a violation
of the provisions of this chapter for a pedestrian facing a red or
"stop" signal or a red with green arrow signal to cross the street,
unless he is directed to do so by a police officer or fireman directing
traffic.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter,
every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding
with any pedestrian upon any roadway, shall give warning by sounding
the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon
observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a
roadway.
A pedestrian shall move, wherever practicable,
upon the right half of crosswalks.
It shall be unlawful for a pedestrian to stand
in any roadway, other than in a safety zone, or in a crosswalk if
such action interferes with the lawful movement of traffic. This section
shall not apply to any police officer, surveyor, street sweeper or
other person when necessarily upon a street in the line of duty.
Where sidewalks are provided and their use is
practicable, it shall be unlawful for a pedestrian to walk along and
upon an adjacent way. Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian
walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on the left side
of the way or its shoulder, facing traffic.
A.
It shall be unlawful for any person to hitchhike on
the traveled portion of any public highway or any portion of any limited
access highway, including but not limited to the Maine Turnpike or
on any portion of any public highway during the nighttime. Nothing
in this section shall prohibit the solicitation of aid in the event
of accidents or by persons who are sick or seeking assistance for
the sick. The exception for sickness shall apply only in cases of
bona fide sickness in which an emergency exists. Nighttime shall be
defined as in 29 M.R.S.A. § 1259.
B.
"Hitchhiking," as used in this section, shall mean
to endeavor by words, gestures or otherwise, beg, invite or secure
transportation in any motor vehicle not engaged in passenger carry
for hire, unless said persons know the driver thereof or any passenger
therein.
