When must you yield to pedestrians?

Yielding to pedestrians at all crosswalks and intersections is essential for ensuring their safety and maintaining smooth traffic flow. This rule applies not only to designated crosswalks but also to any intersection, even if pedestrians are not in a marked crosswalk.

The rationale behind this requirement is based on the idea that pedestrians are vulnerable road users. By yielding the right of way, drivers help to prevent accidents and create a safer environment for everyone on the road. This means that whether pedestrians are crossing at a marked or unmarked crosswalk or at intersections without explicit markings, they have the right to cross, and drivers must yield to them.

In contrast, yielding only at traffic lights or marked crosswalks does not encompass the full scope of pedestrian rights and could lead to misunderstandings about when a driver is obligated to stop for a pedestrian. Thus, understanding that the requirement to yield applies universally at crosswalks and intersections is crucial for safe driving in Delaware.