Who has the right-of-way at a crosswalk in California?
A pedestrian is crossing the street in a crosswalk with no signal or stop sign. What must you do?
The answer
Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks. Yield and let them cross before you continue.
The California Driver's Handbook states that pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks.
If there is a limit line before the crosswalk, stop at it so people can cross safely in front of you. Do not pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk, because its driver may be stopped for someone you cannot see.
Exceptions
- The handbook adds that pedestrians who are blind and use a guide dog or white cane have the right-of-way at all times.
- The handbook lists no speed or distance exception to yielding in a crosswalk.
Why this rule matters for safety
People on foot have no protection in a collision, and a stopped car beside you can hide them from view. Yielding and not passing stopped vehicles gives everyone time to see and react.
Official sources
- California Driver's Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road · California DMVRight-of-Way Rules: Pedestrians and Crosswalks; no edition date shown on the page; site copyright 2026
Rules checked against these sources on . Laws change. Confirm with the California agency before you rely on this for a legal matter.
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