Being a Pedestrian in Traffic
"We are in traffic from the moment we leave home"
Being a Pedestrian
Most of us perceive traffic as a process that begins only when we sit in a vehicle's seat. However, from the very first second you step out of your door, you become a part of a complex ecosystem. In traffic, "being a pedestrian" is not just about walking; it is about being the most vulnerable yet the most fundamental unit of this ecosystem.
Pedestrian According to the Road Traffic Regulation (Article 3)
A pedestrian is defined as: "A person who is not in a vehicle and is either stationary or in motion on the highway."
Being Outside a Vehicle:Anyone who is not inside or on any means of transport (as a driver or passenger), such as a bicycle, car, truck, or motorcycle, is a pedestrian.Being Stationary:A person waiting for a bus by the roadside, standing on the sidewalk, or waiting by the road after getting out of a vehicle is legally considered a "pedestrian" and possesses pedestrian rights.
Being in Motion:Anyone walking, running, or crossing the street falls under this definition.
Being a Pedestrian According to the World Health Organization (WHO)
Being a pedestrian means moving within the traffic environment without using any vehicle, while remaining at the center of all traffic rules and safety measures. We are defined as the "Vulnerable Road User" because we do not have a chassis or airbags to protect us in the event of an accident.
Pedestrian Rules and Regulations According to the Law
1. Choose the Correct Side of the Road
If there is no sidewalk or shoulder, you must walk on the left edge of the road. This allows you to see oncoming traffic and perform quick maneuvers in case of danger. (Excluding pedestrian groups) Ref: Highway Traffic Regulation (KTY) Art. 68-3
2. Use Crosswalks and Intersections
To cross the street, you must use designated pedestrian and school crossings, intersections, or overpasses/underpasses. If none of these are available within 100 meters, you may cross in the shortest direct line after checking the road and ensuring you do not obstruct traffic. Ref: KTY Art. 138-4B
3. Apply the "Left-Right-Left" Rule
Before entering the roadway, look left, then right, and then left again to check the speed and distance of approaching vehicles. If a vehicle is too close to stop safely, it is vital to yield the right-of-way and wait. Ref: KTY Art. 138-4B
4. Be Visible
Wearing light-colored clothing, carrying reflective accessories, or using a light source during the night or in low-visibility conditions is a legal requirement. Ref: KTY Art. 138-4C
2024 TÜİK Statistics 39%of all pedestrians involved in accidents were wearing dark-colored clothing. When "uncertain" cases are excluded, fatality data shows that 71% of pedestrians who lost their lives in traffic accidents were wearing dark-colored clothing.
5. Traffic Discipline and Prohibition of Disrespectful Use
It is forbidden to act carelessly, play, or use pedestrian paths and crossings "disrespectfully" in a way that obstructs or endangers traffic. Ref: Highway Traffic Law (KTK) Art. 68-3C
Pedestrian Rights According to the Law
1. Right of Way (Priority)
At pedestrian crossings marked by signs or markings where no traffic officer or traffic lights are present, drivers are strictly required to give the first right of way to pedestrians. Ref: Highway Traffic Law (KTK) Article 74
2. Rights Against Turning Vehicles at Intersections
Drivers are obligated to yield the first right of way to pedestrians while turning right or left at intersections. A vehicle's turn signal does not grant the right to stop a pedestrian; on the contrary, it imposes a legal responsibility on the driver to "stop and wait for the pedestrian to complete their crossing." Ref: Highway Traffic Regulation (KTY) Article 109-4d
3. Sidewalks Are Not Parking Spaces (Unoccupiable Sidewalks)
Parking Ban: Parking on sidewalks is not merely a traffic violation; it is an infringement of a pedestrian's right to safe transportation.
Accessibility: Parking in front of ramps designated for disabled pedestrians or blocking these areas is a violation of the pedestrian's "right to accessibility." Ref: Highway Traffic Law (KTK) Article 61/N
4. Right to Protection in Safe Zones
Speed limits are legally reduced in school zones, hospital entrances, and "Pedestrian Priority Roads" where pedestrian traffic is heavy. In these zones, drivers have a legal obligation to exercise "maximum caution" to mitigate the risk of potential pedestrian errors.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics: Facing the Realities
The numbers clearly demonstrate why we need to be more vigilant in traffic:
Fatality Rates: Globally, approximately 23% of all road traffic deaths are pedestrians. In some developing countries, this rate can soar to as high as 50%.
Collision Speed & Survival: The speed of a vehicle is a matter of life and death. A pedestrian hit by a car traveling at 30 km/h has a 90% survival rate. However, if the speed increases to 50 km/h, the chance of survival drops drastically to 50%.
Data from Turkey: In Turkey, a significant portion of fatal and injury-related accidents occur in the form of pedestrian-vehicle collisions, highlighting a critical need for cultural and behavioral change in traffic.
Conclusion: Traffic is Not Just a Road, It is a Way of Life
Every step we take today is not merely a physical movement from one place to another; it is a social act of respect. As we have seen, the law defines the pedestrian not just as a "figure on the side of the road," but as the most precious and protected unit of the traffic ecosystem. However, rights and rules only protect us when they transition from paper into our minds as a culture.
We Must Remember:
We Are All Responsible: We are part of the traffic even when we are not in the driver's seat. Obeying rules, being visible, and acting with caution is a debt we owe not only to ourselves but to our loved ones and other road users.
We All Have Rights: Sidewalks, crossings, and safe roads are for everyone. Knowing our rights and defending them with courtesy is the first step toward improving traffic culture.
We Are All in Traffic: When you think of "traffic," do not just picture piles of metal. From the very first second you step out of your door, you become part of that massive cycle.
Traffic Culture Starts With You. When you stop at a crossing to make eye contact with a driver, when you choose to wear light-colored clothes while walking at night, or when you simply wait for the green light; you are actually laying a brick for the construction of a safer future.