There is no crosswalk and you see a pedestrian crossing your lane ahead. You should:
- Make eye contact with and then pass the pedestrian.
- Slow down as you pass the pedestrian.
- Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing the street. ✓
Answer: C. Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing the street.
Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing the street.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says that when a pedestrian is crossing a roadway, with or without a crosswalk, you must use caution, reduce speed, or stop so the person can safely finish crossing. It also treats marked and unmarked crosswalks alike for pedestrian right-of-way. Since the pedestrian is already in your lane ahead, stopping and waiting until they are across is the safe response. The handbook also says eye contact means the pedestrian is ready to cross and you should yield, which supports stopping rather than passing.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Make eye contact with and then pass the pedestrian. — Making eye contact and then passing is wrong because the handbook says eye contact means the pedestrian is ready to cross, so you should yield rather than go past.
- B. Slow down as you pass the pedestrian. — Slowing down as you pass is wrong because the handbook says to allow the pedestrian to safely finish crossing, and passing them while they are still in your lane does not do that.
Remember it
Eye contact means yield, not pass.