New York DMV Permit Written TestSafe Driving PracticesMedium

A pedestrian is crossing the street at an unmarked crosswalk. According to New York law, what should a driver do?

  1. AYield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.
  2. BStop only if the pedestrian is in your lane of travel.
  3. CHonk to alert the pedestrian to yield.
  4. DProceed cautiously, as the pedestrian does not have the right-of-way.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. Yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.

In New York State, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the roadway within any crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. You must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, not just when they are directly in your lane.
  • C. Honking at a pedestrian to yield is aggressive and incorrect; pedestrians have the right-of-way.
  • D. This is incorrect; pedestrians have the right-of-way in unmarked crosswalks.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way (NY)

The legal obligation of drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, both marked and unmarked, in New York State.

  • Pedestrians have right-of-way in all crosswalks.
  • Includes unmarked intersections.
  • Drivers must stop and yield.

Memory trick: Crosswalks, marked or not, yield to feet, that's the spot.

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