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North Carolina driving lesson · General Driving Rules

Pedestrians & right of way

A 3-minute lesson from the North Carolina 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
General Driving Rules
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
19, 25

Pedestrians have no protection in a crash, so NC law puts them first in most situations. The safe driver yields to a pedestrian whether or not the pedestrian is entitled to it; a life is always worth your lost right of way.

Know the rule

At intersections without traffic signals, pedestrians have the right of way in marked crosswalks and in unmarked crosswalks formed by imaginary lines extending the sidewalks across the street.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

At ordinary traffic signals, pedestrians obey the same signals as drivers going the same direction, and should not start crossing on red or yellow.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

Pedestrians crossing on green have the right of way over all vehicles, including those turning across their path.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

If the signal turns yellow or red while a pedestrian is still in the street, you must let them finish crossing safely.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

Where "Walk"/"Don't Walk" signals operate, pedestrians obey them instead of the regular signals, and have the right of way when crossing with them.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

At intersections without signals, a blind pedestrian gets special consideration when using a white cane, a white cane with a red tip, or a guide dog.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

You must use the horn whenever a pedestrian may be affected by your turn, stop or start from a parked position.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

If you have a green light and a pedestrian starts across your path against the red, warn them with your horn. If they don't stop, you must.

Handbook p. 25 ↗

Know the rule

A driver who doesn't properly signal to a motorcyclist and causes the motorcycle to change lanes or leave the road will be charged and fined, and more so if a crash causes damage or injury.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
4 points

Failure to yield right of way to a pedestrian (G.S. 20-158(b)(2)b)

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Put it into practice

You're turning right on a green light and a pedestrian is crossing the street you're turning into, also on green. The pedestrian has the right of way over your turning car, so wait until they've cleared your path.

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.

At an intersection without traffic signals, who has the right of way in a marked or unmarked crosswalk?
  1. Vehicles turning right
  2. Vehicles turning left
  3. Pedestrians
  4. Whichever driver arrives first

Answer: Pedestrians

At intersections without traffic signals, pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks have the right of way.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
When a pedestrian is crossing with a green signal, who has the right of way?
  1. Vehicles turning right on green
  2. Vehicles turning left on green
  3. Whichever moves first
  4. The pedestrian

Answer: The pedestrian

When crossing with a green signal, pedestrians have the right of way over all vehicles, including those turning across their path.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
If the signal turns red while a pedestrian is still in the street, what must drivers do?
  1. Let the pedestrian finish crossing
  2. Proceed immediately since the light changed
  3. Honk continuously until they move
  4. Drive around the pedestrian

Answer: Let the pedestrian finish crossing

If a signal changes while a pedestrian remains in the street, drivers must let them finish crossing safely.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
How does a blind pedestrian typically signal that they are crossing at an uncontrolled intersection?
  1. By raising a hand and waving
  2. With a white cane or guide dog
  3. By standing still at the curb
  4. By wearing bright clothing only

Answer: With a white cane or guide dog

The law gives a blind pedestrian special consideration when they extend a white cane or have a guide dog.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
When must a driver sound the horn around pedestrians?
  1. Only if the pedestrian is jaywalking
  2. Never — horns are prohibited near pedestrians
  3. When a turn, stop or start may affect them
  4. Only at night

Answer: When a turn, stop or start may affect them

The law requires drivers to use the horn whenever a pedestrian may be affected by a turn, stop, or start from parking.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
If you are moving through a green light and a pedestrian starts crossing against the red signal into your path, what should you do?
  1. Continue at the same speed since you have the right of way
  2. Speed up to clear the intersection first
  3. Stop suddenly without any warning
  4. Honk a warning, and stop if they don't

Answer: Honk a warning, and stop if they don't

Give a warning with your horn; if the pedestrian does not stop, the driver must stop.

Handbook p. 25 ↗
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