Two solid white lines painted across a traffic lane show the boundaries of a crosswalk. As a driver, you should know that:
Answers
Motor vehicles have the right-of-way over pedestrians in crosswalks.
When pedestrians are in crosswalks, they should be given the right-of-way.
No one has the right-of-way in a crosswalk.
Pedestrians are responsible to stay out of the way of all traffic.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is:
When pedestrians are in crosswalks, they should be given the right-of-way.
Explanation:
In most traffic laws, pedestrians are granted the right-of-way when they are within marked crosswalks, whether or not the crosswalk has traffic signals. This law exists to protect pedestrians and ensure they can safely cross the street without the fear of vehicles passing through the crosswalk.
Right-of-Way Laws for Pedestrians: Pedestrians in crosswalks have the right-of-way over motor vehicles, and drivers are required to yield to them. This means that if a pedestrian is walking within the boundaries of a crosswalk, drivers must stop and allow them to cross. Drivers should be especially attentive to pedestrians at crosswalks with solid white lines, as this indicates a designated crossing area, signaling the importance of pedestrian safety in that space.
Why Motor Vehicles Must Yield: Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks is critical because pedestrians are more vulnerable than vehicles. Even though a pedestrian has the right-of-way, they must still exercise caution. The law assumes that pedestrians will act responsibly and be aware of their surroundings, but it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure they do not endanger pedestrians, especially when they are in crosswalks.
Misunderstandings about the Right-of-Way: The statement “Motor vehicles have the right-of-way over pedestrians in crosswalks” is incorrect. Motor vehicles are required to stop and allow pedestrians to pass through the crosswalk safely. However, in situations where the pedestrian is not in a marked crosswalk or crossing unsafely, the driver may have the right to proceed, but these situations should be avoided to maintain safety.
In conclusion, the main takeaway is that when pedestrians are in a crosswalk, they should be given the right-of-way, and drivers must yield to ensure their safety.