When must a driver yield to pedestrians?

A driver must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and in the road because these locations are designated areas where pedestrians typically cross, and it is essential for their safety. Yielding means allowing pedestrians the right of way, which is a fundamental rule to prevent accidents. In crosswalks, marked or unmarked, pedestrians have a legal expectation to cross safely, and vehicles are required to stop and let them pass.

While pedestrians on the sidewalk are not directly in the roadway and do not have the same immediate right of way as those at a crosswalk, they gain the right of way once they enter a crosswalk. The notion that yielding applies only at traffic lights neglects the many situations where pedestrians may cross streets without signals. Similarly, whether pedestrians are running does not change the obligation of drivers to yield; the safety of all road users must be prioritized, regardless of their speed.