“A number of new retail establishments have located to Uptown Greenwood in the proximity of Main Street and Maxwell Avenue over the past year,” Barrineau said. “We are particularly seeing increased pedestrian traffic crossing Main Street at this intersection, and in many cases vehicular traffic is not properly yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians.”

The term right-of-way refers to the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian.

To make the driving public aware of the law for traffic turning north off of Maxwell Avenue onto Main Street (US 25), last year the South Carolina Department of Transportation installed a sign that says “Turning Traffic Must Yield to Pedestrians.”

The term right-of-way is the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian. 

The laws concerning these topics can primarily be found in the South Carolina Code of Laws, sections 56-5-970 and 56-5-990. 

A brief overview of the laws regarding crosswalks, pedestrian traffic and vehicular right-of-ways is included below.

Pedestrians Right-of-Way in Crosswalks

• Pedestrians crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to vehicles upon the roadway.
• If pedestrian cross signals are in place, the pedestrian must abide by them, unless directed by a police officer. A pedestrian “Walk” symbol indicates that the pedestrian facing the signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and be given the right-of-way by the driver of all vehicles. A “Wait” symbol indicates that no pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal.
• If the pedestrian signals are not working, pedestrians should follow the traffic control signals in place for vehicle traffic. If a pedestrian is facing a green signal, with the exception of a green turn arrow, they may proceed across the roadway with caution. Likewise, a pedestrian facing a steady red signal shall not enter the roadway. A steady yellow signal means that there is insufficient time for the pedestrian to cross the intersection and they should not enter the roadway.

Vehicular Traffic

• Vehicle traffic facing a circular green signal, or a green arrow signal, may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign prohibits turning. All vehicles, including those turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within the intersection or crosswalk.
• Vehicle traffic facing a steady circular red signal shall stop at the marked stop line, as not to block the crosswalk. Unless a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, vehicle traffic facing a red signal may cautiously enter the intersection to turn right after coming to a complete stop. Such vehicle traffic shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within an adjacent crosswalk. 
• Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle shall not overtake or pass the stopped vehicle, allowing the pedestrian to cross.

The Greenwood Police Department asks that you be mindful of pedestrian traffic and use caution when driving in areas with high volumes of foot traffic.