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Massachusetts driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Pedestrians, Crosswalks & Pedestrian Signals

A 4-minute lesson from the Massachusetts 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
4 minutes
Course unit
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
57, 58, 90, 91, 92, 107, 108, 120

One in four motor vehicle deaths involves a pedestrian, and we're all pedestrians at times. Getting distracted even for seconds, driving tired or drifting out of your lane can seriously injure or kill someone on foot.

Laws for drivers:

  • Yield to pedestrians entering or using a crosswalk in your travel path
  • Never let your vehicle block a crosswalk
  • Yield to pedestrians if your traffic signal is red, or red and yellow
  • Never pass a vehicle that is stopped or slowing for a pedestrian
  • Yield to pedestrians when turning into a driveway or parking lot
Handbook p. 91 ↗

Know the rule

Always yield to pedestrians in a roadway. If your light turns green, yield to pedestrians already in the crosswalk. Pedestrians have the right-of-way when using a sidewalk or crossing a driveway or alley.

Handbook p. 107 ↗

Know the rule

On a multiple-lane road, never pass another vehicle stopped at a crosswalk without first checking for pedestrians.

Handbook p. 108 ↗

White Cane Law

Come to a complete stop for a blind pedestrian (white cane or guide dog) crossing a street and stay stopped until they've crossed. Don't honk, wave them on, or pass a stopped vehicle.

Handbook p. 108 ↗

Take extra care around:

  • Children: unpredictable and hard to see near schools, parks, bus stops and playgrounds
  • Joggers and skaters, who don't always obey signals and crosswalk rules
  • Train and bus stops, where pedestrian traffic may be heavier
  • Senior centers and residences: seniors may have reduced eyesight, hearing and mobility
  • Deaf or Hard of Hearing people: you can't tell by looking, so it's safer to yield
Handbook p. 58 ↗

Know the rule

Look ahead for places where pedestrians may be hidden, such as around a curve, at the top of a hill, or between parked cars. Slow down and stop when necessary for a person walking in the street.

Handbook p. 58 ↗

Know the rule

Pedestrians must obey the white and orange WALK and DON'T WALK signals. Pedestrians already in the crosswalk when a countdown timer reaches zero have the right-of-way.

Handbook p. 90 ↗
Pedestrian countdown signal
Pedestrian signal with a countdown timer

Know the rule

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, activated by a push button or pedestrian detector at crossings without signals or mid-block, flash amber in an irregular pattern. You must stop for pedestrians when the beacon is flashing.

Handbook p. 90 ↗

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)
LightWhat you do
All lights darkProceed with caution
Bottom yellow flashingSlow down
Bottom yellow solidPrepare to stop
Top two red solidStop for pedestrians
Top two red flashingStop, then proceed with caution if clear
Handbook p. 90 ↗
Pedestrian hybrid beacon (HAWK signal)
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon
School crossing
School crossing sign

Rules for pedestrians:

  • Use a crosswalk when available; at a signal, push the button and wait for WALK
  • Don't start crossing on DON'T WALK; if you're already crossing, finish
  • Stop at the curb and look left, right, and left again, even on a one-way street
  • Use the sidewalk; where there's none, walk on the shoulder facing traffic
  • Never walk along or across expressways, interstate highways or turnpikes
  • Wear bright colors or reflective strips, especially at night
Handbook p. 120 ↗

Put it into practice

Your light turns green, but a pedestrian who started as the countdown ran out is still in the crosswalk. Wait: pedestrians already in the crosswalk have the right-of-way, and you must yield before going.

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 in the crosswalk when the countdown signal reaches zero. What happens?
  1. They must run back to the curb immediately
  2. They keep the right-of-way
  3. Traffic gets the right-of-way instantly
  4. They must wait for the next cycle

Answer: They keep the right-of-way

Pedestrians already in the crosswalk when the countdown hits zero retain the right-of-way.

Handbook p. 90 ↗
What must you do when a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon is activated?
  1. Ignore it unless a signal also flashes
  2. Yield only if a walker is in your lane
  3. Stop for pedestrians
  4. Only slow down, no stop required

Answer: Stop for pedestrians

You must stop for pedestrians when a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon is flashing.

Handbook p. 90 ↗
What must you do when your light turns green but pedestrians are still in the crosswalk?
  1. Yield to the pedestrians already in the crosswalk
  2. Proceed slowly through the crosswalk
  3. Go if they are not in your lane
  4. Wait for the next light cycle

Answer: Yield to the pedestrians already in the crosswalk

You must yield to pedestrians already in the crosswalk when your light turns green.

Handbook p. 107 ↗
What does the White Cane Law require of drivers?
  1. Honk once to alert the pedestrian, then proceed
  2. Stop fully and stay stopped until they cross
  3. Slow down but you may proceed if the way looks clear
  4. Wave the pedestrian across and continue driving

Answer: Stop fully and stay stopped until they cross

The White Cane Law requires a complete stop for a blind pedestrian, remaining stopped until they've safely crossed.

Handbook p. 108 ↗
When turning into a driveway or alley, whose right-of-way must you respect?
  1. Only vehicles behind you
  2. Only pedestrians in a marked crosswalk
  3. A pedestrian on the sidewalk you're crossing
  4. Only vehicles already in the driveway

Answer: A pedestrian on the sidewalk you're crossing

Pedestrians on a sidewalk have the right-of-way when you cross a driveway or alley.

Handbook p. 108 ↗
Why should you never pass a vehicle that's stopped or slowing for a pedestrian?
  1. The stopped driver may be about to turn right
  2. It would put you over the speed limit
  3. Passing is only allowed at intersections
  4. A hidden pedestrian may be crossing

Answer: A hidden pedestrian may be crossing

Vehicles may be stopped for a person or animal you cannot see, so never pass a vehicle stopped or slowing for a pedestrian.

Handbook p. 112 ↗
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