Do pedestrians always have the right of way?

Do pedestrians always have the right of way?

• A. Yes, always
• B. Only when crossing legally
• C. No, not always
• D. Only during daylight

Answer: (C)

Right of way is context-dependent; pedestrians do not always have it. They have priority when crossing legally at marked crosswalks or intersections with signals, and drivers must yield in those situations. But if a pedestrian is jaywalking, crossing outside a crosswalk, or entering the roadway where there’s no designated crossing, they don’t automatically have the right of way. In such cases, a driver may proceed as long as they do so safely, though they’re still responsible for avoiding harm. The key point is that safety comes from both following signals and using crosswalks, plus drivers staying attentive to any pedestrian who might be in or near the roadway. So, the statement that pedestrians always have the right of way is not accurate.