A driver should yield to that pedestrian. If a pedestrian makes eye contact with you, he/she is ready to cross the street. And when crossing, yield to all pedestrians.ĭo not stop in a crosswalk because you will place pedestrians in danger. Proceed only when all pedestrians have crossed the street.ĭo not drive on a sidewalk, except to cross it to enter or exit a driveway or alley. A pedestrian you cannot see may be crossing the street. Also stop at corners with or without traffic lights, whether or not the crosswalks are marked by painted lines.Īnd do not overtake and pass another vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk. So drive cautiously when pedestrians are near because they may suddenly cross in front of your vehicle.Īlways stop for any pedestrian - crossing at corners or other crosswalks, even if the crosswalk is in the middle of the block. In California, pedestrian deaths occur in approximately 19 percent of all traffic fatalities. The simple answer: Yes, a driver must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, whether or not it’s marked by painted lines. “Is she right on this one?”Ī: The Department of Motor Vehicles’ California Driver Handbook addresses this issue definitively on pages 23-24. “My girlfriend claims a driver doesn’t have to stop if there’s no marked crosswalk,” continued the Perris resident.
But what about an intersection not marked with crosswalks? Does a driver have to stop for a person crossing at a place like that?” Emil Hernandez submitted that question in a phone message. Q: “I know you have to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks that are marked.