If there are pedestrians at a marked crosswalk, what is your legal obligation?

When there are pedestrians at a marked crosswalk, the law requires drivers to yield the right-of-way to ensure the safety of those individuals. This means that if you encounter pedestrians crossing at a crosswalk, you must come to a complete stop if they are in your path or approaching the crosswalk. This obligation is in place to protect pedestrians, as they have the right to traverse the roadway safely.

Yielding also allows for a smoother and more organized flow of traffic, facilitating the safe crossing of pedestrians and reducing the risk of accidents. Options like speeding up or honking your horn can create dangerous situations, as they may startle the pedestrians or impede their safe crossing. Continuing without stopping would directly violate traffic laws designed to give precedence to pedestrians, which could lead to serious legal consequences and endanger lives. This legal obligation is fundamental in promoting safe interactions between vehicles and pedestrians on the road.