PEDESTRIANS

Columbus City Codes tit. 21, ch. 2171

in effect

Columbus City Codes § 2171.01 Right-of-way of pedestrian in crosswalk.

2171.01 - Right-of-way of pedestrian in crosswalk. (a) It shall be the duty of the operator of any vehicle to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian upon the sidewalk or lawfully crossing the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk, as defined in Section 2101.09. (b) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply under the conditions stated in subsection (b) of Section 2171.03. (c) Whenever any vehicle is stopped in a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the operator of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle. (d) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (ORC 4511.46; Ord. 1170-75; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (part); Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.02 Right-of-way of blind person.

2171.02 - Right-of-way of blind person. (a) As used in this section, "blind person" or "blind pedestrian" means a person having not more than 20/200 visual acuity in the better eye with correcting lenses or visual acuity greater than 20/200 but with a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than twenty (20) degrees. The driver of every vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to every blind pedestrian guided by a guide dog, or carrying a cane which is predominantly white or metallic in color, with or without a red tip. (b) No person, other than a blind person, while on any public highway, street, alley or other public thoroughfare shall carry a white or metallic cane, with or without a red tip. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (ORC 4511.47; Ord. 1579-72; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.03 Right-of-way yielded by pedestrian.

2171.03 - Right-of-way yielded by pedestrian. (a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked or unmarked crosswalk, in accordance with Section 2101.09, shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic operating lawfully upon the street. (b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic upon the roadway. (c) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic control signals are in operation, pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a crosswalk, in accordance with Section 2101.09. (d) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic control devices pertaining to such crossing movements. (e) This section does not relieve the operator of a vehicle from exercising due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian upon any roadway. (f) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (ORC 4511.46; Ord. 1170-75; Ord. 23-01 § 1 (part); Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.04 Moving in crosswalk—Stepping into street.

2171.04 - Moving in crosswalk—Stepping into street. (a) No pedestrians shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (ORC 4511.46; Ord. 370-93; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.05 Walking on path or street, jaywalking.

2171.05 - Walking on path or street, jaywalking. (a) Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. (b) Where a sidewalk is not available, any pedestrian walking along a street or highway shall walk only on a shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway. (c) Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a street or highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway, and, if on a two (2) way roadway, should walk only on the left side of the roadway. (d) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway at a place other than a crosswalk except in cases where crosswalks are an unreasonable distance apart. (e) Except as otherwise provided in Sections 2113.05 and 2171.01, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (f) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (ORC 4511.50; Ord. 1170-75; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 0411-2009, § 4, 4-19-2010)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.06 Soliciting rides—Riding on outside of vehicle.

2171.06 - Soliciting rides—Riding on outside of vehicle. (a) No person while on a freeway, street, highway or roadway outside a safety zone shall solicit a ride from the driver of any vehicle. (b) No person shall hang onto or ride on the outside of any motor vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley while it is moving upon a freeway, street, highway or roadway, except mechanics or test engineers making repairs or adjustments, or workers performing specialized highway or street maintenance or construction under authority of a public agency. (c) No operator shall knowingly permit any person to hang onto or ride on the outside of any motor vehicle while it is moving upon a freeway, street, highway or roadway, except mechanics or test engineers making repairs or adjustments, or workers performing specialized highway or street maintenance or construction under authority of a public agency. (d) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (ORC 4511.51; Ord. 680-93; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part); Ord. 1795-2007 § 4; Ord. No. 1777-2018, § 1, 6-25-2018)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.07 Riding on parts of vehicles not intended for passengers.

2171.07 - Riding on parts of vehicles not intended for passengers. (A) No driver of a truck, trailer, or semitrailer shall knowingly permit any person who has not attained the age of sixteen (16) years to ride in the unenclosed or unroofed cargo storage area of the driver's vehicle if the vehicle is traveling faster than twenty-five (25) miles per hour, unless either of the following applies: (1) The cargo storage area of the vehicle is equipped with a properly secured seat to which is attached a seat safety belt that is in compliance with Federal standards for an occupant restraining device as defined in division (A)(2) of Section 4513.263 of the Ohio Revised Code, the seat and seat safety belt were installed at the time the vehicle was originally assembled, and the person riding in the cargo storage area is in the seat and is wearing the seat safety belt; (2) An emergency exists that threatens the life of the driver or the person being transported in the cargo storage area of the truck, trailer or semitrailer. (B) No driver of a truck, trailer or semitrailer shall permit any person, except for those workers performing specialized highway or street maintenance or construction under authority of a public agency, to ride in the cargo storage area or on a tailgate of the driver's vehicle while the tailgate is unlatched. (C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (ORC 4511.51; Ord. 49-90; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.08 Boarding or leaving from vehicles; opening doors.

2171.08 - Boarding or leaving from vehicles; opening doors. (a) No person shall board or alight from any vehicle while such vehicle is in motion. (b) No operator or passenger of any motor vehicle shall leave or enter such vehicle or open any door of the same on the side next to a moving lane of traffic, unless such movement can be made in such manner as to yield the right-of-way to all vehicular traffic in the lawful use of the street. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (Ord. 1579-72; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.09 Coasters, skates and similar devices restricted.

2171.09 - Coasters, skates and similar devices restricted. (a) No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device shall go upon any roadway, except while crossing a street on a crosswalk. (b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (Ord. 1579-72; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.10 Sidewalk restrictions.

2171.10 - Sidewalk restrictions. (a) No person shall use any public sidewalk or alley closed to motor vehicles to sell, barter, offer or expose for sale any items or services. This section shall not apply to persons selling, bartering, offering or exposing for sale items or services physically carried continuously by the person or from pushcarts properly licensed under Chapter 573, merchants who normally sell, barter, offer or expose for sale items or services inside a building, room or structure as long as the items or services sold, battered, offered or exposed for sale on a sidewalk by such merchants leave at least five (5) feet of sidewalk or alley space available for pedestrian traffic, and only occupy sidewalk or alley space fronting on the building, rooms, or structure where such merchant normally does business. In addition, individuals confined to wheelchairs, or who have a physical disability which makes it impractical to physically carry items for sale or barter continuously may sell or barter such items from a maximum of two (2) containers not larger than twelve (12) inches in diameter which rest on the ground. (b) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. (Ord. 1174-85; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.035 Pedestrian under the influence.

2171.035 - Pedestrian under the influence. (a) A pedestrian who is under the influence of alcohol or any drug of abuse, or any combination of them, to a degree that renders the pedestrian a hazard shall not walk or be upon a street or highway. (b) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (ORC 4511.481; Ord. 1170-75; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Columbus City Codes § 2171.055 Pedestrian bridge and/or railroad grade crossing.

2171.055 - Pedestrian bridge and/or railroad grade crossing. (a) 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. (b) No pedestrian shall pass through, around, over, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. (c) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (ORC 4511.511; Ord. 1170-75; Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

Source: City of Columbus, City Codes and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/oh/columbus/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT21TRCO_CH2171PEFetched: 10/27/2026