Q: Is it illegal for pedestrians to walk on the interstate in Georgia?
I have read multiple articles stating that it is illegal for pedestrians to walk on limited-access highways in Georgia, and I understand why it would be. I have searched through multiple laws and can't find any code section that actually deems it illegal. For example, Atlanta has a city ordinance that says it is illegal, but I found no state law that says that. One of the articles I read stated Georgia State Patrol was warning pedestrians throughout the state that it is illegal. Anyway, if someone can provide the code section I would greatly appreciate it.
A:
(a) As used in this Code section, the term “pedestrian” means any person afoot and shall include, without limitation, persons standing, walking, jogging, running, or otherwise on foot.
(b) Where a sidewalk is provided, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to stand or stride along and upon an adjacent roadway unless there is no motor vehicle traveling within 1,000 feet of such pedestrian on such roadway or the available sidewalk presents an imminent threat of bodily injury to such pedestrian.
(c) Where a sidewalk is not provided but a shoulder is available, any pedestrian standing or striding along and upon a highway shall stand or stride only on the shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway.
(d) Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian standing or striding along and upon a highway shall stand or stride as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway, and, if on a two-lane roadway, shall stand or stride only on the left side of the roadway.
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
(f) No pedestrian shall enter or remain upon any bridge or approach thereto beyond the bridge signal, gate, or barrier after a bridge operation signal indication has been given.
(g) No pedestrian shall pass through, around, over, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.
Credits
O.C.G.A. § 40-6-96
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