What should you do as a driver to ensure pedestrian safety?

To ensure pedestrian safety, it is essential for a driver to stay in control and yield to the right of way of pedestrians. This means that when approaching areas where pedestrians may be present, such as crosswalks, intersections, or areas near schools and parks, drivers must be vigilant and ready to stop if pedestrians are crossing or about to cross. Yielding to pedestrians is not just a legal requirement; it is a critical component of safe driving practices that helps prevent accidents and protects the most vulnerable road users.

Assuming pedestrians will wait for you to pass disregards their right to cross and increases the risk of collisions. Focusing only on pedestrian presence at crosswalks ignores other areas where pedestrians may be walking, and relying on the horn to alert pedestrians could create confusion and distract them rather than genuinely enhance safety. Therefore, the active choice to remain in control of the vehicle while yielding to pedestrians fosters a safer environment for everyone on the road.