Bowling Green, KY Public Conduct: Jaywalking (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 22-7.01(b)(2)
- Midblock crossing
- Must yield to vehicles
- Between signaled intersections
- Marked crosswalk required
- Crosswalk positioning
- Right half when practicable
- Walking without sidewalk
- Left side of highway
Summary
In the City of Bowling Green, Kentucky, a pedestrian crossing anywhere other than a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the roadway. Pedestrians must also use marked crosswalks between signal-controlled intersections rather than crossing midblock.
b. Except as provided hereinbelow, where traffic-control signals are not in place or in operation, the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. ... ... 2. Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
Full Breakdown
City Code Sec. 22-7.01 lays out pedestrian right-of-way rules built around crosswalks. Subsection (b) requires a driver to yield to a pedestrian crossing within any marked crosswalk, or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, when traffic signals are not controlling the crossing; subsection (b)(2) then flips that duty for anyone crossing outside those protected crosswalks: every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
Subsection (b)(3) applies the same yield duty where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing has been provided but the pedestrian crosses at street level instead. Subsection (b)(4) narrows midblock crossing further between adjacent signal-controlled intersections, where pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. Subsection (b)(5) preserves a driver's separate duty of due care regardless of where the pedestrian crosses, requiring horn warnings when necessary and extra caution around children or confused or incapacitated persons. Subsections (c) and (d) round out pedestrian conduct: pedestrians must move on the right half of crosswalks when practicable, and when walking along a highway without a sidewalk must walk on the left side of the highway.
A footnote to the section cross-references KRS 189.570 for similar state provisions, but the operative City rule is Sec. 22-7.01 itself, enforced as a traffic ordinance violation by the Bowling Green Police Department.
Violations & Fines
Crossing outside a marked or unmarked intersection crosswalk without yielding to vehicles violates Sec. 22-7.01(b)(2), and crossing midblock between signal-controlled intersections outside a marked crosswalk violates Sec. 22-7.01(b)(4); both are enforceable as traffic ordinance violations by the Bowling Green Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jaywalking illegal in Bowling Green, Kentucky?
Can I cross the street midblock between two signal-controlled intersections?
Does a driver still have to watch for pedestrians who cross illegally?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bowling Green
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