USAREUR Practice Exam

What action is required if a pedestrian unexpectedly steps onto the roadway?

1. Accelerate to prevent an accident

2. Honk the horn if within city limits

3. Ignore them if in a hurry

4. Drive around them if safe

The correct answer is: Honk the horn if within city limits

When a pedestrian unexpectedly steps onto the roadway, the correct course of action is to honk the horn if within city limits. This alert can serve to warn the pedestrian of your vehicle's presence, potentially preventing a dangerous situation. However, it's important to understand that the primary responsibility lies with the driver to ensure the safety of all road users, including pedestrians. In many jurisdictions, honking the horn is also a way to communicate with other road users, signaling caution. Given that pedestrians may not always be aware of oncoming traffic, using the horn can effectively alert them to your vehicle, prompting them to step back to safety. While safety is paramount and drivers must always be mindful of pedestrians, resorting to an action such as accelerating or ignoring the pedestrian is inappropriate, as these actions could lead to accidents or injuries. Additionally, maneuvering around a pedestrian should only be considered if it is safe to do so and does not put the pedestrian or others at risk.