A 3-minute lesson from the Missouri course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
The moment anyone steps out of a vehicle, they become a pedestrian. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in many situations and must always try to avoid hitting them, whether or not they're obeying the law.
Rules for pedestrians:
Facing "Walk" or green: you have the right-of-way; cross after drivers see you and stop
Don't start crossing when facing "Don't Walk" or a red or yellow light
If flashing "Don't Walk" appears while you're crossing, you may finish crossing
In a business district, or between two closely spaced signals, cross at an intersection or crosswalk
Elsewhere you may cross mid-block, but you must yield to all traffic
A pedestrian shouldn't stand in a traffic lane to talk to a driver. The driver should pull over to a safe parking spot, and the pedestrian should stay on the curb side of the vehicle.
Even on a green light, yield to all pedestrians in the intersection. Never assume you have the right-of-way, or that pedestrians see you and will stop.
Obey the slower school zone limit when lights are flashing or children are present. At a school crossing, stop and yield if a traffic patrol member signals you.
Always yield to blind pedestrians. If a pedestrian is guided by a dog or carries a white cane (or a white cane with a red tip), come to a complete stop.
Before a right turn, especially on red, watch for pedestrians and bicyclists approaching on your right. Don't block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light.
You're first in line at a red light and plan to turn right on red. Stop before the crosswalk, not in it. Check to your right for pedestrians and cyclists, then turn only when the way 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.
As a driver approaching a pedestrian who is blind and using a guide dog or white cane, what must you do?
Slow down but you may proceed if clear
Come to a complete stop
Honk to alert them, then proceed
Only yield if they are in a marked crosswalk
Answer: Come to a complete stop
Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to persons who are blind; when such a pedestrian is crossing guided by a dog or white cane, vehicles must come to a complete stop.
Pedestrians may usually cross mid-block, but where should they cross only at an intersection or crosswalk?
In a business district
On any residential street
Anywhere the speed limit is 35 mph+
Within a block of any school
Answer: In a business district
Pedestrians should cross at an intersection or crosswalk in a business district or between two closely spaced signaled intersections; otherwise mid-block crossing is allowed with care.
