Which side should you walk around the car on when exiting: rules, fines and safety

Every driver and passenger has at least once encountered a situation where they need to get out of the car on the roadway or side of the road. It would seem that what is so difficult here? However incorrect vehicle bypass - one of the reasons for collisions with pedestrians, disputes with traffic police inspectors and even tragic accidents. According to statistics from the State Traffic Inspectorate, about 12% of collisions with pedestrians occur precisely when exiting the vehicle.

The Russian Traffic Regulations do not directly indicate which side necessarily bypass the car, but there are clear rules for the movement of pedestrians on the road. But in European countries (for example, Germany or France), for an incorrect bypass you can get a fine of up to 50 euros. In Russia, inspectors often interpret this as a violation clause 4.1 of traffic rules - the pedestrian must move along the sidewalk or curb, and in their absence - along the edge of the roadway towards the movement. But how does this apply to getting out of the car?

Next, let's look at why side bypass depends on the situation, what safety measures to follow, and what the penalties are for violating the rules. And also - myths and real cases from the practice of the traffic police.

Traffic rules 2026: what the law says about bypassing a car

In Russian Traffic rules There is no separate article about bypassing a car, but there are rules that indirectly regulate this process:

• 📜 Clause 4.1 Traffic rules - pedestrians must move along sidewalks, footpaths or verges, and if there are none, along the edge of the roadway towards the movement.
• 🚗 Clause 4.3 Traffic rules — when exiting the vehicle, the driver or passenger must not interfere with other road users.
• 🚨 P. 12.7 Traffic rules — it is prohibited to open the car doors if this threatens safety or interferes with other vehicles.

From these points it follows that you need to get out of the car from the sidewalk or curbso as not to create a danger to yourself and others. If the car is parked on the roadway (for example, in a traffic jam or on a road without a shoulder), then passengers It is recommended to exit on the side opposite to traffic flowto see approaching cars.

However, there is a nuance here: if you go out onto the road with one way traffic, then you need to walk around the car in front or behind so as to remain facing the flow of traffic. Otherwise, you risk finding yourself with your back to moving cars, which is extremely dangerous.

Why you shouldn’t pass a car in front or behind: risks and consequences

The main danger when walking around a vehicle incorrectly is creating a “dead zone” for other drivers. Even if it seems to you that the road is empty, there may be a vehicle lurking around the corner or behind the next car, the driver of which is not expecting a pedestrian to appear.

Let's look at typical scenarios:

• 🚘 Bypass from the front — you risk being in the path of a motorcyclist or cyclist who is not visible because of the hoods of parked cars. In addition, the driver of your car may move away without noticing you.
• 🚙 Walking around from behind - Particularly dangerous on busy roads. Drivers of neighboring cars may not expect a pedestrian from the rear bumper.
• 🚶 Exit to the roadway — if you walk around a car on the side of the road rather than the sidewalk, you automatically become a participant in the traffic and must follow the rules for pedestrians.

According to Road Safety Research Institute, 37% of collisions with pedestrians when exiting a car occur due to the fact that a person walked around the car in front and fell under the wheels of oncoming traffic. More 22% - due to the exit from the side of the door open to the roadway.

⚠️ Attention! If you get out of the car at multi-lane road (for example, on the Moscow Ring Road or a roundabout), you can bypass the car Passenger side only, after making sure that there are no approaching cars. Exiting from the driver's side in such conditions is tantamount to jaywalking.

How to get out of the car correctly: step-by-step instructions

To minimize risks, follow this algorithm:

Park as close to the sidewalk or curb as possible|

Check your rear view mirrors for cyclists/motorcyclists|

Open the door with your left hand (if you are exiting from the driver's side) - this will force you to turn your body and look around the area behind the car |

Leave only after making sure that there are no approaching vehicles|

Walk around the car from the sidewalk, and if there is none, face the traffic -->

Pay special attention children and elderly passengers. Children often run out onto the road without looking, and older people may not have time to react to approaching traffic. If you are a driver, always control the exit of passengers, especially on busy streets.

If you are forced to go out onto the roadway (for example, during an emergency stop on the highway), turn on alarm, put on reflective vest (if it is in the car) and walk around the car frontto see oncoming traffic.

Situation	Correct bypass	Dangerous Detour
The car is parked at the sidewalk	From the sidewalk	From the roadway
Stopping on a road without a shoulder	Facing traffic, passenger side	Back to traffic, driver's side
One way traffic	From the sidewalk or in front (facing the flow)	Behind the car (you may not be able to see the vehicle)
Multi-lane road (for example, highway)	Passenger side only, with hazard lights on	Driver's side or without alarm

Fines for illegally passing a car in 2026

Formally, there is no article in the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation that directly punishes for incorrectly passing a vehicle. However, the traffic police inspector may qualify your actions on other points:

• 📋 Part 1 art. 12.29 Code of Administrative Offenses — violation of traffic rules by a pedestrian (fine 500–1000 rubles). Applies if you interfere with traffic.
• 🚔 Part 1 art. 12.30 Code of Administrative Offenses — violation by the driver of the rules of stopping or parking (fine 500 rubles, in Moscow and St. Petersburg - 2500 rubles). If the inspector decides that you parked incorrectly, forcing passengers to exit onto the roadway.
• 🚨 Part 2 art. 12.27 Code of Administrative Offenses - leaving the scene of an accident by the driver (fine 1000 rubles or deprivation of rights). If an accident occurs due to your exit and you flee, this will be considered leaving the accident.

In practice, inspectors rarely issue fines for the very fact of an incorrect detour, but if an accident occurs with a pedestrian, the culprit may be found car driver, from which a man came out. For example, if a passenger walked around the front of a car and fell under the wheels of an oncoming car, the court may charge the driver lack of security when opening the door (clause 12.7 of the traffic rules).

⚠️ Attention! If you are leaving taxi or car sharing, the responsibility for passing incorrectly rests with you as a pedestrian. In this case, the driver is not responsible if he did not violate the parking rules.

Myths and misconceptions about car bypass

There are many myths on this topic on the Internet and among drivers. Let's look at the most common ones:

Myth 1: “You should always walk behind a car”

This rule is only valid for cyclists (clause 24.2 of the traffic rules), who must dismount and drive the bicycle from behind. There is no such requirement for pedestrians. Moreover, tailgating is dangerous on busy roads as you may end up in drivers' blind spots.

Myth 2: “If the car is parked correctly, you can exit from any direction.”

Even if the car is parked according to all the rules, exiting from the side of the roadway may be regarded as a violation clause 4.1 of traffic rules (pedestrian movement not on the sidewalk). In addition, you risk your life by stepping out onto the road in front of moving traffic.

Myth 3: “In Europe you are fined for making an incorrect detour, but we don’t control this”

In Russia they can also be fined, but not for the bypass itself, but for obstructing traffic or violation of rules for pedestrians. For example, in Moscow and St. Petersburg, inspectors actively record such violations using cameras.

Myth 4: “If I am a passenger, I am not responsible”

When a passenger gets out of the car, he becomes a pedestrian and must obey traffic rules. If his actions cause an accident, the blame may be shared between him and the driver.

What to do if you are hit while getting out of your car?

If you are hit by a car while getting out of your car, immediately record:

1. Photo/video of the accident scene (position of cars, braking distance).

2. Contacts of witnesses.

3. Details of the driver who hit you.

4. Draw up an accident diagram together with the inspector.

Important! If you passed the car incorrectly, the blame may be shared between you and the driver. But if the driver was speeding or drunk, the blame will fall on him.

Features of getting out of the car in different situations

Bypass rules may vary depending on the situation. Let's look at the most common scenarios:

1. Exit in the parking lot or in the yard

Traffic in courtyards and parking lots is less intense, but risks remain:

• 👶 Children may suddenly run out from behind cars.
• 🚗 Drivers often park/reverse without noticing pedestrians.
• 🛒 Supermarket carts or bicycles can become an obstacle.

Here you need to exit from the sidewalk, but if the car is parked with its nose to the curb, it is better to go around in front of it in order to see the cars leaving.

2. Stopping on a highway or country road

On highways (for example, M4 "Don" or M11 "Neva") getting out of the car is extremely dangerous. Rules:

• 🚨 Turn it on alarm and put up a warning triangle (at least 15 m from a car on the highway, 30 m in a populated area).
• 🚶 Get out only from the passenger side and walk around the front of the car, staying as close to the side of the road as possible.
• 👕 Put it on reflective vest (mandatory from 2026 when stopping on the highway in the dark).

3. Exit from a taxi or car sharing

In taxis and car sharing, the driver cannot always control your exit. To avoid problems:

• 🚖 Ask the driver to park at the curb.
• 📱 If you get out on the roadway, wait until the driver confirms that you can open the door.
• 💳 In car sharing (Delimobil, Yandex Drive) Check the app to see if there are any parking restrictions at that location.

What to do if an accident occurs due to incorrect bypass

If you get into an accident when getting out of the car (for example, you were hit), follow the following algorithm:

1. 📞 Call 112 (single emergency number) or 102 (police). Report an accident with injuries (if any).
2. 📸 Take photographs of the scene of the incident, the position of the cars, braking distance, your injuries (if any).
3. 📝 Write down the details of witnesses (full name, telephone numbers).
4. 🚔 Wait for the traffic police inspector to arrive. Do not sign the protocol if you do not agree with its contents.
5. 🏥 If you need medical help, ask to call an ambulance and have your injuries recorded at the hospital.

If the driver who hit you is at fault, you have the right to:

• 💰 Insurance compensation under OSAGO (up to 500,000 rubles for treatment).
• 🏛 Compensation for moral damage through court.
• 🚑 Free medical care under the compulsory medical insurance policy.

If the fault lies with you (for example, you entered the roadway in the wrong place), the driver can sue for damages to his car. In this case, the court may reduce the amount or completely reject the claim if the driver was speeding or did not take measures to avoid an accident.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about getting out of the car

❓ Is it possible to walk around the front of a car if it is parked on a one-way road?

Yes, but only if you facing the movement. On a one-way road, passing from the front is safer than from the rear, as you can see approaching traffic. However, it is best to exit from the sidewalk, if there is one.

❓ What to do if a taxi driver demands to get out of the roadway?

You have the right to request that the driver park at the curb. If this is not possible, exit only after making sure that there are no approaching cars. In the event of an accident, the fault will lie with the taxi driver if he did not provide a safe exit.

❓ What fines threaten for leaving the car on the roadway?

There is no fine for the exit itself, but if you interfere with traffic, the inspector may fine you 500–1000 rubles according to Part 1 of Art. 12.29 Code of Administrative Offences. If your exit causes an accident, the blame may be shared between you and the driver.

❓ Do I need to wear a reflective vest when getting out of the car on the highway?

From 2026 necessarily, if you go out on the road in the dark or in conditions of poor visibility (rain, fog). Penalty for not wearing a vest - 1000 rubles (Part 1 of Article 12.5 of the Administrative Code).

❓ Who is to blame if a passenger, getting out of the car, falls under the wheels of another car?

The culprit is usually found driver of a car who hit a pedestrian, if he did not comply with the speed limit or did not take measures to avoid a collision. However, if the passenger exited from the side of the roadway in violation of traffic regulations, the blame may be shared.