You want to make a right turn at the corner. A pedestrian with a guide dog is at the corner ready to cross the street in front of you. Before making your right turn, you should:
Answers
Turn off your engine until the person crosses the street.
Tell the pedestrian when to cross the street.
Wait until the person crosses the street.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Wait until the person crosses the street.
Explanation:
When you are driving and preparing to make a right turn at a corner, and there is a pedestrian with a guide dog waiting to cross the street in front of you, it is important to follow the rules of pedestrian right-of-way and safety.
- Pedestrian Right-of-Way: Pedestrians, including those with guide dogs, always have the right-of-way when they are crossing a street at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. This includes individuals who may be visually impaired or have other disabilities that make them more dependent on assistance, like a guide dog. By law, you must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and that obligation does not change regardless of the type of pedestrian.
- Safety Considerations: A pedestrian with a guide dog is likely relying on their dog to navigate, but they are still at risk when crossing the street. Guide dogs help their handlers cross safely, but the person with the dog may not be aware of approaching traffic. As a driver, you must ensure the pedestrian has crossed the street completely before making your turn. This is crucial to avoid accidents and to show respect for their right-of-way.
- Waiting vs. Turning Early: Turning off your engine or telling the pedestrian when to cross are both inappropriate responses. Turning off your engine would not be helpful if the pedestrian hasn’t yet started crossing, and it could cause unnecessary confusion. Telling the pedestrian when to cross is not advisable because you are not in a position to safely guide them; the pedestrian and guide dog are responsible for determining when it is safe to cross, not the driver.
In summary, the safest and most lawful action is to wait for the pedestrian and their guide dog to safely cross the street before making your right turn.