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Washington driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Pedestrians and people you might not see

A 3-minute lesson from the Washington 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
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
93, 94, 187

Washington roads work because people cooperate. Everyone expects others to follow the rules, and people on foot have the most to lose. Yield to them every time, and watch for anyone who can't see you, isn't paying attention, or is confused.

Know the rule

Always yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections, whether marked or not.

Handbook p. 93 ↗

Know the rule

Wait until a pedestrian has cleared your lane and one additional lane before you proceed.

Handbook p. 93 ↗

Know the rule

If the pedestrian uses a wheelchair, cane, guide dog, or other service animal, wait until they have completely crossed the street.

Handbook p. 93 ↗

Know the rule

Don't drive into oncoming traffic to pass a pedestrian or bicyclist.

Handbook p. 93 ↗

Pedestrian

A person walking on or near the road.

Handbook p. 187 ↗

Look for people who:

  • Can't see you: behind buildings or cars, backs to you, wearing hats or using umbrellas
  • Are distracted: children, delivery persons, road workers, people on phones or wearing headphones
  • Might be confused: tourists and people following a map or looking for a new location
  • Are using a wheelchair, cane, or service animal
Handbook p. 94 ↗

Know the rule

It's unlawful to interfere with a service animal. Don't honk; it could confuse or frighten the animal or pedestrian.

Handbook p. 94 ↗

Know the rule

Roads can be confusing, crowded, or under construction. Courtesy, respect, and awareness of others could save someone from serious injury or death.

Handbook p. 93 ↗

Put it into practice

You're stopped to turn right on a four-lane street. A pedestrian steps off the far curb and walks across. Wait until they've cleared your lane and the next lane. If they're using a cane, wait until they reach the other side.

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.

Where do pedestrians and bicyclists have the right-of-way in Washington?
  1. At crosswalks and intersections, marked or not
  2. Only at marked crosswalks
  3. Only at signalized intersections
  4. Only in school zones

Answer: At crosswalks and intersections, marked or not

Pedestrians and bicyclists have the right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections whether marked or not.

Handbook p. 93 ↗
A pedestrian has just stepped out of your lane into the next lane over. Can you proceed?
  1. Yes, immediately
  2. Yes, if they're walking away from you
  3. Yes, if you slow down slightly
  4. No, wait until they've cleared that lane too

Answer: No, wait until they've cleared that lane too

Wait until a pedestrian has cleared your lane and one additional lane before proceeding.

Handbook p. 93 ↗
A pedestrian using a guide dog is crossing the street ahead of you. What should you do?
  1. Honk gently to help guide them
  2. Drive slowly past behind them
  3. Wait until they've completely crossed the street
  4. Proceed once they clear your lane only

Answer: Wait until they've completely crossed the street

For pedestrians using a wheelchair, cane, or guide dog, wait until they've completely crossed before continuing.

Handbook p. 93 ↗
It's unlawful to interfere with a service animal, and you should never honk near one.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Interfering with a service animal is unlawful, and honking could confuse or frighten it.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
You should watch for pedestrians who can't see you, such as those with their backs turned or wearing hats and using umbrellas.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Look for pedestrians who can't see you, are distracted, or might be confused, and drive accordingly.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
Which group does the handbook give as an example of pedestrians who might be confused?
  1. Road workers
  2. Tourists following a map
  3. Children
  4. People using umbrellas

Answer: Tourists following a map

Tourists and people following a map are examples of people who might be confused; road workers and children are listed as distracted, umbrella users as unable to see you.

Handbook p. 94 ↗
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