Failure to Stop for a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk — Maryland Traffic & Safety Laws Explained
Maryland law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. When a driver fails to stop, the consequences can be devastating — serious injuries, long-term medical treatment, and a permanent mark on the driver’s record. Whether your citation arose on a busy city street, a neighborhood crosswalk, or a multi-lane road, a Failure to Stop for a Pedestrian charge can have significant legal, financial, and insurance consequences.
At the Law Offices of David R. Waranch, we help drivers across Maryland navigate these cases, protect their driving records, and understand exactly what is at stake. We also appreciate the reality: many of these incidents happen in confusing traffic situations, at poorly marked crosswalks, or when drivers genuinely never saw the pedestrian in time to stop.
If you received a “Failure to Stop for a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk” citation, you don’t have to handle it alone. This page explains how Maryland law works, what penalties you may face, and how an experienced Maryland traffic lawyer can help.
How Maryland Law Protects Pedestrians in Crosswalks
Maryland law generally requires drivers to stop for pedestrians who are within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, when the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway or approaching from the opposite half. In multi-lane roads, this can be especially important because pedestrians may be exposed to traffic coming from several directions at once.
Pedestrian safety is a major focus of traffic enforcement statewide. National data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that pedestrian crashes often result in severe or fatal injuries, which explains why officers and prosecutors take these violations so seriously.
Maryland’s rules are also guided by broader roadway design and safety standards, including the Federal Highway Administration’s pedestrian safety guidance and state-level initiatives to reduce injuries at intersections and crosswalks.
At the same time, drivers have rights too. Not every situation is clear-cut, and many citations are issued in fast-moving or poorly signed traffic environments where it is genuinely difficult to know what the law requires in the moment.
Common Scenarios That Lead to “Failure to Stop” Citations
Failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk is often charged after:
- Busy intersection crossings where drivers focus on lights, turning traffic, or oncoming vehicles and do not see a pedestrian beginning to cross.
- Right turns on red where a driver looks left for vehicles but not back toward the crosswalk where a pedestrian is crossing in front of the vehicle.
- Multi-lane “staged” crossings where one lane of traffic stops for a pedestrian but another driver in the next lane does not.
- Mid-block marked crosswalks that are less visible, poorly lit, or partially obstructed.
- School and residential zones where drivers misjudge speed, distance, or assume pedestrians will wait.
In many cases, both drivers and pedestrians are confused about who has the right of way. Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other safety organizations confirms that visibility, distraction, and speed all play major roles in pedestrian crashes.
Our role is to cut through the confusion, examine what actually happened, and determine whether the citation is supported by the facts and the law.
Penalties for Failure to Stop for a Pedestrian in Maryland
While the exact consequences can vary, a citation for failing to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk may include:
- Significant fines that increase if there was a collision or injury.
- Points on your Maryland driving record, which can trigger further MVA action.
- Insurance consequences, including premium increases or policy review.
- Potential civil liability if the pedestrian was injured and pursues a personal injury claim.
- Additional consequences for commercial drivers (CDL holders), who may face stricter employment and licensing scrutiny.
Accumulated points can lead to warnings, required driver improvement programs, suspension notices, and in serious cases, a threat to your ability to drive. The Maryland MVA point system explains how point totals can affect your license status.
An experienced Maryland traffic lawyer can evaluate which penalties are realistically on the table in your case and what steps can be taken to reduce or avoid them.
Building a Defense in “Failure to Stop for a Pedestrian” Cases
Every case is fact-specific. Our approach is to look beyond the citation and carefully examine what really happened in the crosswalk. Depending on the circumstances, defenses may include:
- Visibility and timing issues — weather, lighting, parked vehicles, roadway curvature, and other factors may have limited your view of the crosswalk or the pedestrian.
- Conflicting signals or markings — malfunctioning signals, faded markings, or confusing signage can make it unclear when drivers must stop.
- Pedestrian behavior — in some cases, the pedestrian may have entered the crosswalk suddenly, against a signal, or outside the driver’s legal duty to stop.
- Inaccurate officer observations — officers often have only a brief vantage point; video, photos, or independent witnesses may tell a different story.
- Measurement and distance disputes — we may challenge where the pedestrian actually was relative to your lane and whether Maryland’s legal threshold for yielding was truly triggered.
We also evaluate whether a negotiated outcome — such as a reduced charge, amendment to a non-moving violation, or structured disposition — will better protect your driving record and insurance rates, particularly if you already have points.
How Our Maryland Traffic Defense Team Helps
At the Law Offices of David R. Waranch, we regularly represent drivers facing serious and technical traffic charges across Maryland — including Failure to Stop for a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk. When you contact us, we typically:
- Review the citation and all available evidence, including diagrams, collision reports, photos, or video where available.
- Explain the exact legal standard that applies in your situation — not just what the ticket says.
- Assess your driving record and identify how this charge fits into your overall MVA and insurance picture.
- Prepare you for court, including what to expect, how to testify if needed, and how to present mitigation such as driving history, employment needs, and safety steps taken after the incident.
- Advise you about related issues, such as potential civil claims or overlapping charges like negligent driving or failure to obey a traffic control device.
Our objective is straightforward: protect your record, minimize penalties, and help you move past this incident with as little long-term impact as possible.
Related Maryland Traffic Defense Services
Failure to stop for a pedestrian is often charged alongside — or instead of — other moving violations. Our firm also represents Maryland drivers in cases such as:
- Negligent Driving (including Maryland-wide negligent driving defense)
- General Maryland Traffic Violations
- Reckless Driving and Aggressive Driving
- CDL and Commercial Driver Violations
- Failure to Obey a Traffic Control Device (where applicable)
Because we handle a wide range of Maryland traffic matters, we can often address all of your citations and MVA concerns together in a coordinated strategy.
Maryland Counties We Serve for Pedestrian-Related Traffic Charges
This page focuses on Maryland Failure to Stop for a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk, and we handle these and related cases across multiple counties, including:
- Baltimore City & Baltimore County
- Montgomery County
- Anne Arundel County
- Howard County
- Frederick County
- Prince George’s County
If your ticket was issued elsewhere in Maryland, we may still be able to help. Our firm regularly appears in district courts across the state on behalf of drivers dealing with serious traffic citations.
Take the First Step — Protect Your Record Today
A Failure to Stop for a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk citation can affect your record, your insurance, and your peace of mind — but you do not have to face it alone. Early legal guidance often leads to better results, especially if there was an injury, multiple citations, or a complicated driving history.
Call 301-563-9575 or use our secure contact form to speak with a Maryland traffic defense lawyer about your case.
Law Offices of David R. Waranch — Maryland Traffic & Criminal Defense. We’ve Got Your Back.
Hablamos Español.