Practice question

When witnessing a pedestrian crossing an unmarked crosswalk, what is your responsibility?

  1. Accelerate to pass in front of them
  2. Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian
  3. Stop only if they wave at you
  4. Continue driving as long as no vehicles are behind you

Answer: B — Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian

When witnessing a pedestrian crossing an unmarked crosswalk, your responsibility is to yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian. This means you must allow pedestrians to safely cross the street without interruption. Yielding to pedestrians is a fundamental rule designed to ensure their safety, as they may be vulnerable when navigating roadways. Unmarked crosswalks, which are not explicitly defined, still carry the same responsibility as marked crosswalks; motorists must be attentive and prepared to stop when pedestrians are present. The other options do not align with safe driving practices or legal requirements. Accelerating to pass in front of a pedestrian could cause a dangerous situation, and it is illegal to obstruct a pedestrian in their right to cross the road. Stopping only if a pedestrian waves at you implies that their crossing doesn't warrant your attention unless they initiate it, which neglects your duty to yield. Continuing to drive if no vehicles are behind you ignores the need for caution and awareness of pedestrians' rights, which can lead to unsafe driving behavior. Thus, yielding the right-of-way is essential for the safety of all road users.

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