When should you yield to pedestrians?

Yielding to pedestrians is a critical component of road safety and traffic laws. You should yield to pedestrians whenever they are in your lane of travel because this ensures their safety and the smooth operation of traffic. Pedestrians may not always be confined to marked crosswalks and may enter the roadway unexpectedly. Therefore, exercising caution and being ready to yield whenever they are present in your driving lane is essential to prevent accidents.

Marked crosswalks are certainly significant areas where the right of way must be given; however, yielding only at these locations would disregard the responsibility drivers have to ensure pedestrians are safe in all situations. Similarly, yielding only when traffic signals dictate does not account for situations not covered by traffic lights, such as when pedestrians are crossing in places without signals or signage. Ultimately, prioritizing pedestrian safety entails being vigilant and prepared to yield whenever they are in the roadway.