Section 17.1 of the SDA looks unchanged at first glance for pedestrians. In residential zones and courtyards, people still hold priority over vehicles. The area is defined by territory boundaries and entry points marked by signs 5.21 and 5.22, signaling where the rules apply.
In these zones, pedestrian movement is permitted on both sidewalks and the roadway. The new edition adds a clear emphasis: pedestrians keep the advantage in residential areas, but they must not create unnecessary obstacles to the flow of traffic or to anyone using mobility devices moving along the carriageway.
A notable update taking effect on 1 March 2023 is that the prohibition on unreasonable interference now targets only the roadway within residential areas and courtyards. This narrows the scope of where obstructive behavior is judged to be unacceptable.
Therefore, if a pedestrian stands on the sidewalk inside a yard and a vehicle operates along the same sidewalk section, the pedestrian’s actions to avoid hindering others are interpreted within the updated framework. The focus is on preventing unreasonable interference on the roadway, not on every possible sidewalk interaction.
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Source: SDA Master