When you are on a city street with a green light and a pedestrian begins to cross the street ahead of you, what should you do?

• A. Stop regardless of light signal
• B. Proceed cautiously
• C. Speed up to clear
• D. Honk and proceed

Answer: (A)

Pedestrian right-of-way at crosswalks is the idea this question tests. Even with a green light, you must yield to someone who is crossing or about to step into the crosswalk. So when a pedestrian begins to cross ahead of you, you should brake and come to a complete stop before the crosswalk line, giving them the space to finish crossing safely. Only after the pedestrian has cleared the crosswalk should you proceed, and you should do so cautiously.

Hesitating or continuing at a crawl isn’t the goal here, because the pedestrian is in your path and has priority. Speeding up to “clear” the crosswalk is dangerous, and honking or trying to push through doesn’t make the situation safer or legal. Stopping for the pedestrian aligns with safe driving and traffic laws that protect people in crosswalks.