If a pedestrian steps into the street illegally, what should you do?

Answer: C — Yield the right of way to avoid injury

Yielding the right of way to avoid injury is crucial in situations where pedestrians might step into the street illegally. Safety should be the primary concern for any driver when facing a potential conflict with pedestrians, regardless of the legality of the pedestrian's actions. By yielding, you're taking proactive steps to prevent an accident, which aligns with the principle of defensive driving. In this scenario, other responses can lead to dangerous consequences. Ignoring the pedestrian or continuing to drive at speed could result in serious injury or worse. Accelerating to pass them not only puts the pedestrian at risk but can also endanger other road users. Lastly, while honking might grab the pedestrian's attention, it does not guarantee their safety and could escalate the situation rather than help. Therefore, the best and safest action is to yield the right of way to protect everyone involved.