Check the Status of Your Ticket

Update Ticket/Add Comment

Use of sidewalks

Status: Closed
Assigned To: dmahlum (Police)
Ticket ID: 16451a9b5

Good morning,
I am writing for some clarification on the use of sidewalks and city streets. I would like to know if it is allowed to walk your dog with your friends four abreast down the middle of the street when there are sidewalks available on both sides of the street. Is it permittable to impede traffic so that you and your friends can walk side by side down the middle of the street? This seems to be out of line. I almost hit a pedestrian who was wearing no reflective clothing today and I am confused how impeding vehicle traffic for your 630 am dog walk is allowed.
Thank you for your time.
Nathan Christiaens

Ticket History

Public
Closed
Updated By: jreardon
Assigned To: dmahlum (Police)

Nathan Christiaens, thank you for contacting us.  Below is Montana Code Annotated 61-8-506 regarding your question.

"61-8-506. Pedestrians on roadways and highways -- wheelchair use on highways. (1) Where sidewalks are provided and their use is practicable, a pedestrian may not walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.

(2) Where sidewalks are not provided, a pedestrian, other than an intoxicated pedestrian referred to in 61-8-508, who is walking along and upon a highway may walk only on the shoulder, as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway.

(3) A person using a wheelchair or other vehicle designed specifically for use by a physically disabled person shall use sidewalks if use of sidewalks is practicable. If use of sidewalks is unsafe or not practicable, the person may use the wheelchair or other vehicle on a highway, as far as practicable from the center of the roadway."

If you come across an incident again where pedestrians are a potential traffic hazard, please call dispatch at 406-727-7688 option 5.  They will be able to send an officer to the area and address the situation, if possible.

10/25/2019 - 11:20am
New
Assigned To:

Citizen request/question created.

10/17/2019 - 8:08am

Disclosures

Certain messages sent through this form may constitute a public record and be subject to disclosure under state law.

Communications sent via the Internet or through this Web page shall in no way be deemed to constitute legal notice to the City or any of its officers, agents, or employees, where notice to the City is required by any law, rule, regulation or contract.