When must you yield the right of way to pedestrians?

Yielding the right of way to pedestrians is a critical aspect of safe driving and traffic laws. You are required to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections because these are designated areas where pedestrians are expected to cross the road. This rule is in place to protect the safety of pedestrians, who may be more vulnerable on the road compared to vehicles.

At crosswalks, marked or unmarked, it is imperative for drivers to stop when someone is crossing or waiting to cross. This is crucial in maintaining an orderly flow of traffic while ensuring that pedestrians can traverse streets safely. Similarly, at intersections, whether controlled by traffic signals or stop signs, the principle of yielding to pedestrians remains the same.

In contrast, yielding only at nighttime, in parking lots, or based on gestures like waving does not uphold the established traffic laws or prioritize pedestrian safety as effectively. Hence, understanding that yielding to pedestrians is necessary in specific, defined situations helps reinforce responsible driving behavior.