The American Heritage Dictionary defines crosswalk as

A path marked off on a street to indicate where pedestrians should cross.

Minnesota statute 169.01.37 defines crosswalk as

(1) that portion of a roadway ordinarily included with the prolongation or connection of the lateral lines of sidewalks at intersections; (2) any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface.

These warring definitions wouldn't be a problem if not for Minnesota statute 169.34.a.6, which proscribes parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk — marked or unmarked — at an intersection.

Labels: semantics