What should you do if you encounter a pedestrian crossing the road?

When encountering a pedestrian crossing the road, stopping and yielding to them is the correct course of action. This is not only a matter of legality, as traffic laws mandate that vehicles must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, but it is also a fundamental aspect of ensuring safety on the road.

Pedestrians, especially in crosswalks, have the right of way, meaning that drivers must give them priority when they are crossing. This action helps prevent accidents and protects pedestrians, who may be at risk from vehicles that fail to stop. Yielding also demonstrates responsible driving and a commitment to road safety.

Other options such as honking the horn, speeding up, or ignoring the pedestrian can lead to dangerous situations. Using the horn could startle the pedestrian or distract them, speeding up can increase the risk of a collision, and ignoring them directly endangers their safety. Therefore, stopping and yielding is the safest and most responsible response.