District of Columbia driving lesson · Right-of-Way & Intersections
Pedestrians at crosswalks
A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users. In DC they usually have the right-of-way at crossings, and even when they don't, you're still responsible for not hitting them.
Know the rule
Pedestrians have the right-of-way at street crossings in towns and cities, except where traffic officers or traffic control devices control traffic.
Where pedestrian signals are used with normal traffic signals, drivers obey the normal traffic signals and pedestrians obey the WALK and DON'T WALK signals.
When any vehicle is stopped at a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to let a pedestrian cross, drivers approaching from behind must not overtake and pass it.
Where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing is provided, a pedestrian crossing the road must yield to vehicles. Drivers still must yield to pedestrians in the intersection.
Between adjacent intersections with traffic signals operating, a pedestrian may cross only in a marked crosswalk or after yielding to approaching vehicles.
Be especially alert for and yield to pedestrians who are deaf or use canes, crutches, walkers, guide dogs/service animals, wheelchairs or scooters. Take extreme care near children and confused individuals.
The car in the lane beside you stops at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. You can't see why. Don't pass it: a pedestrian may be crossing in front of it. Stop too, and go only when the crosswalk is clear.
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 in a marked or unmarked crosswalk generally have the right-of-way?
No, vehicles always have the right-of-way
Yes, with narrow exceptions on red
Only in marked crosswalks, never unmarked
Only during daylight hours
Answer: Yes, with narrow exceptions on red
Pedestrians in a crosswalk generally have the right-of-way, except entering on red or against an officer's direction.
