What should you do if you encounter a pedestrian in a crosswalk?

When you encounter a pedestrian in a crosswalk, yielding the right of way to the pedestrian is essential for their safety and your legal responsibility as a driver. This means you must stop your vehicle and allow the pedestrian to cross safely without interference. Crosswalks are designated areas meant to provide safe passage for pedestrians, and drivers are required by law to give them priority in these situations.

Yielding not only promotes safety for pedestrians but also fosters a more considerate and cooperative driving environment. Additionally, failing to yield can result in legal consequences and is a violation of traffic laws, which are put in place to protect all road users. In contrast, actions such as speeding up or honking your horn could create confusion or danger for the pedestrian and other drivers. Therefore, the correct action is to yield when encountering a pedestrian in a crosswalk.