Wohlgelernter v. Moffatt

Per Curiam. This is a case involving plaintiff, a pedestrian, in an automobile accident at an intersection. Plaintiff-appellant contends that an ordinance of the city of Detroit defines the standard of care and that the ordinance creates a situation where reasonable minds would not differ. Ergo, he states, a favorable decision should have been entered by the court, notwithstanding the verdict of the jury. The second alleged ground for error is based upon the trial judge’s failure, or refusal, to give a requested instruction to the jury. On the first issue, plaintiff’s construction of the ordinance is not tenable. The ordinance deals with pedestrians legally in a crosswalk having the right of way, and he alleges that once in the crosswalk they have little duty to exercise any care or caution. This conclusion is not correct. Negligence and contributory negligence of a pedestrian are questions of fact for the jury. Whether plaintiff exercised reasonable care is a fact question. See Ortega v. Lenderink (1968), 10 Mich App 190. In the instant case, the verdict of no cause of action is sustained; there was no legal issue which would allow court intervention. [321] The second question revolves around whether the court erred in failing to give plaintiff’s requested instruction that an unmarked crosswalk, as defined in the Detroit ordinance, existed at the intersection in question. The ordinance was twice read to the jury but plaintiff asserts it should have been explained and interpreted. There is no rule against reading statutes or ordinances in instructing a jury, White v. Vandevelde (1938), 284 Mich 669. In the present case, the reading of the ordinance adequately informed the jury of its meaning and there was no need to refer to plaintiff’s requested instruction. The ordinance is not so unclear in and of itself that it could not be understood by a layman. Additional detail is discretionary as is the use of a proffered instruction. Affirmed. Costs to appellees.