The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2025 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Subchapter
005
:
PEDESTRIANS' RIGHTS AND DUTIES
(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 1057)
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§ 1057. Duty toward persons who are blind
(a) Whenever a pedestrian is crossing or attempting to cross a public street or highway,
guided by a guide dog or carrying in a raised or extended position a cane or walking
stick, white in color or white tipped with red, the driver of every vehicle approaching
the intersection, or place where the pedestrian is attempting to cross, shall bring
his or her vehicle to a full stop before arriving at the intersection or place of
crossing and before proceeding shall take such precautions as may be necessary to
avoid injuring the pedestrian.
(b) It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind or otherwise having
a severe visual disability, while on any public street or highway, to carry in a raised
or extended position a cane or walking stick that is white in color or white tipped
with red.
(c) Nothing in this section deprives any person who is totally or partially blind or otherwise
has a severe visual disability, not carrying a cane or walking stick and not being
guided by a dog, of the rights and privileges conferred by law upon pedestrians crossing
streets or highways, and the failure of any person who is totally or partially blind
or otherwise has a severe visual disability to carry a cane or walking stick, or to
be guided by a guide dog upon streets, highways, or sidewalks within this State, does
not constitute and is not evidence of contributory negligence. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973; amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 146.)