A 3-minute lesson from the Kansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Pedestrians have no protection in a crash, and they're hard to see and hard to predict. As a driver you must always yield to them, and as soon as you step out of your car, you become one.
Watch especially for children, blind pedestrians, joggers, and skaters or skateboarders.
As a pedestrian:
You must obey traffic laws, just like motorists
Walk on the sidewalk; with no sidewalk, walk on the left side facing oncoming traffic
At night carry a flashlight and wear light-colored clothing and reflective material
Facing a WALK signal or green light you have the right-of-way, but make sure drivers stop
Don't start crossing on DON'T WALK or a red or yellow light
If a flashing DON'T WALK appears while you're crossing, you may finish crossing
Make eye contact with drivers who slow or stop; don't assume they will stop
Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Crosswalks exist at all intersections where a sidewalk meets the street, and not all are marked. Yield at mid-block crosswalks as you would at a corner.
Even facing a green light, yield to all pedestrians in the intersection. Before a left turn or U-turn, check for pedestrians even with a green arrow; before a right turn, especially on red, watch for pedestrians on your right.
Approaching a stopped vehicle from behind, slow down and don't pass until you're sure no pedestrians are crossing in front of it, even on multi-lane roads.
In school, playground and residential areas, drive slower than the limit and be ready to stop. Obey the slower school-zone limit when lights flash or children are present, and stop if a school crossing patrol signals you.
You're stopped at a red light waiting to turn right. A jogger approaches the corner on your right. Wait until they've crossed; being allowed to turn on red never outranks a pedestrian.
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.
A pedestrian is already crossing when the flashing "DON'T WALK" signal appears. What may the pedestrian do?
Return to the curb they started from
Finish crossing the street
Stop in the middle and wait
Cross only if no cars are turning
Answer: Finish crossing the street
Page 79: if the flashing DON'T WALK signal appears while you are crossing, you may finish crossing the street.
If you are approaching a stopped vehicle from behind on a multi-lane road, you should not pass it until:
You are sure no pedestrians are crossing in front of it
Another driver behind you has also fully come to a stop
You have waited at least five seconds
The vehicle signals you to pass
Answer: You are sure no pedestrians are crossing in front of it
A stopped vehicle may be yielding to a crossing pedestrian you can't see, so you must confirm no pedestrians are crossing before passing, even on multi-lane roads.