A pedestrian starts to cross in front of your vehicle. You should:
- Flash your lights.
- Slow down.
- Speed up and pass in front of the pedestrian.
- Stop and let the pedestrian cross. ✓
Answer: D. Stop and let the pedestrian cross.
Stop and let the pedestrian cross.
Why this is the answer
The Texas handbook says that when you see a pedestrian crossing or trying to cross, you slow down, use your horn if necessary, and get ready to stop. It also says a driver must take precautions to avoid injuring someone crossing and must come to a full stop when that is the only way to avoid injury or danger. A pedestrian already starting across in front of you fits that situation, so the safe action is to stop and let them cross.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Flash your lights. — Flashing your lights is not what the handbook tells you to do here; it does not protect the pedestrian and is not the required response.
- B. Slow down. — Slowing down is only the first step the handbook mentions; with a pedestrian already crossing in front of you, you must be ready to and actually stop when needed.
- C. Speed up and pass in front of the pedestrian. — Speeding up to pass in front of a pedestrian puts you in their path and goes against the handbook's instruction to avoid injuring or endangering someone crossing.
Remember it
When someone is already in your path, your foot goes to the brake, not the gas.
Official handbook: Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7), Chapter 11: Motor Vehicle Crashes , p. 61