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California driving lesson · Signals, Signs & Right-of-Way

Pedestrians, crosswalks & mountain roads

A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Signals, Signs & Right-of-Way
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
47, 48, 90

Pedestrians are the most exposed people on the road. They have the right-of-way in marked and unmarked crosswalks, and blind pedestrians have it at all times.

These are pedestrians or vulnerable road users:

  • A person walking
  • A person on something other than a vehicle or bicycle, such as roller skates or a skateboard
  • A person with a disability using a tricycle, quadricycle, or wheelchair for transportation
Handbook p. 47 ↗

Vulnerable road users (VRU)

Non-motorized road users, such as cyclists, pedestrians, and persons with disabilities or reduced mobility using a wheelchair, tricycle, or quadricycle.

Handbook p. 90 ↗

Know the rule

When a pedestrian is crossing, with or without a crosswalk, use caution, reduce your speed, or stop to let them finish crossing safely. Pedestrians must also follow the rules of the road.

Handbook p. 47 ↗

Also keep in mind:

  • Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk; you may not see a pedestrian crossing
  • If a pedestrian makes eye contact with you, they are ready to cross; yield
  • Allow time to cross; seniors, people with small children or disabilities may need extra
Handbook p. 47 ↗

Crosswalk

The part of the road set aside for pedestrians to cross. Often marked with white lines; school crossings may have yellow lines. Not all crosswalks are marked.

Handbook p. 47 ↗

Know the rule

Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks. If there is a limit line before the crosswalk, stop at the limit line.

Handbook p. 47 ↗

Know the rule

Some crosswalks have flashing lights. Whether or not they are flashing, look for pedestrians and be ready to stop.

Handbook p. 47 ↗

Know the rule

Pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes have the right-of-way at all times. Be especially careful turning or backing in a hybrid or electric vehicle; blind pedestrians rely on sound.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

With blind pedestrians:

  • Do not stop in the middle of a crosswalk; it could force them to walk into traffic outside it
  • Do not honk your horn at a blind person
  • A blind person pulling in the cane and stepping away from the intersection usually means you may go
Handbook p. 48 ↗

Know the rule

On a steep, narrow mountain road where neither vehicle can pass, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill backs up until the uphill vehicle can pass.

Handbook p. 48 ↗

Put it into practice

On a one-lane mountain road you're heading downhill when you meet a car coming up. Neither can pass. You back up, because the downhill driver has more control backing uphill, until the other car can get by.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Do pedestrians have the right-of-way in unmarked crosswalks?
  1. No, only in marked crosswalks
  2. Yes, in marked or unmarked crosswalks
  3. Only at intersections with signals
  4. Only when a crossing guard is present

Answer: Yes, in marked or unmarked crosswalks

Pedestrians have the right-of-way in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

Handbook p. 47 ↗
What should you do if a pedestrian makes eye contact with you at a crosswalk?
  1. Yield; they're ready to cross
  2. Proceed; they haven't stepped off the curb
  3. Tap your horn so they wait
  4. Proceed if they are not in a crosswalk

Answer: Yield; they're ready to cross

If a pedestrian makes eye contact, they are ready to cross, and you should yield.

Handbook p. 47 ↗
Why should you never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk?
  1. It is a courtesy, not a rule
  2. A pedestrian may be hidden from view
  3. The driver may be about to turn
  4. The vehicle may start moving suddenly

Answer: A pedestrian may be hidden from view

Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk because a pedestrian may be hidden from your view.

Handbook p. 47 ↗
Pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes have what status at intersections?
  1. The right-of-way only at marked crosswalks
  2. No special right-of-way
  3. The right-of-way at all times
  4. The right-of-way only on a WALK signal

Answer: The right-of-way at all times

Blind pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes have the right-of-way at all times.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
What gesture from a blind pedestrian usually signals that you may proceed?
  1. Tapping their cane on the curb
  2. Pulling in their cane and stepping back
  3. Nodding toward your vehicle
  4. Raising their cane in the air

Answer: Pulling in their cane and stepping back

When a blind pedestrian pulls in their cane and steps away from the intersection, it usually means you may go.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
On a steep, narrow mountain road where two vehicles meet and neither can pass, who has the right-of-way?
  1. The vehicle facing downhill
  2. The vehicle facing uphill
  3. Whichever vehicle arrived first
  4. The larger vehicle

Answer: The vehicle facing uphill

On narrow mountain roads, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way; the downhill vehicle backs up.

Handbook p. 48 ↗
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