Pedestrians and blind pedestrians

Key points

1. Always be prepared to yield to pedestrians, even outside a crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “You should always be prepared to yield to pedestrians even if they are not in a crosswalk.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

2. You must yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, even an unmarked one.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “You must yield when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk, even if it is unmarked, including mid-block crosswalks marked by warning signs and pavement markings.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

3. Yield to all pedestrians in the intersection, even when your light is green.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “You must yield the right of way to all pedestrians in the intersection even if the traffic light is green.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

4. When turning right or left on red, be prepared to yield to pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “When making a right or left turn on red, you must be prepared to yield the right of way to pedestrians.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

5. A pedestrian crossing outside a marked or unmarked crosswalk must yield to vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

6. You must yield to a blind pedestrian carrying a white cane or with an assistance dog.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “Kentucky law requires operators of a vehicle to yield the right-of-way to a blind pedestrian carrying a clearly visible white cane or accompanied by an assistance dog.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

7. Failing to yield to a blind pedestrian can bring a fine up to $250.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “Failure to yield the right-of-way to a blind pedestrian is a violation that could result in a fine up to two hundred fifty dollars ($250).”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

8. At a light or stop sign, stop no more than 5 feet from the crosswalk unless there is an advanced stop bar.

   Source: Handbook p. 58

   “At a stop light or sign, do not stop your vehicle more than five (5) feet from the crosswalk, unless there is an advanced stop bar (line).”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 58

9. Do not stop in the middle of a crosswalk. It forces a blind pedestrian into traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 59

   “Do not stop in the middle of a crosswalk. This forces the blind pedestrian to go around your car and into traffic outside of the crosswalk.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 59

10. Do not give a blind pedestrian verbal directions. They listen to traffic before crossing.

    Source: Handbook p. 59

    “Do not give the blind pedestrian verbal directions. The blind pedestrian listens to all traffic sounds before deciding to cross the street.”
    Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 59

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. Who must a Kentucky driver yield to when a pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk?

   1. No one unless the crosswalk is painted
   2. Only a pedestrian with a signal
   3. The vehicle closest to the curb
   4. The pedestrian
   Show answer

   The pedestrian. A pedestrian in a crosswalk has priority, and Kentucky's guidance includes unmarked crosswalks. The rule is not limited to pedestrians who have a special signal, and a painted marking is not required before yielding. Vehicle position near the curb does not create priority over someone crossing. Scan for people before entering the crossing, reduce speed early, and be prepared to stop. This is especially important at intersections where the crosswalk may be legally present even when its lines are difficult to see.

2. 2. How must a Kentucky driver respond to a blind pedestrian carrying a visible white cane or accompanied by an assistance dog?

   1. Honk to tell the pedestrian to wait
   2. Yield only at a marked crosswalk
   3. Yield the right of way
   4. Proceed if the traffic light is green
   Show answer

   Yield the right of way. Kentucky requires drivers to yield to a blind pedestrian identified by a clearly visible white cane or an assistance dog. The duty is not limited to painted crosswalks, and a green signal does not cancel the need to yield. Honking can startle the pedestrian and does not communicate a safe path. Slow as you approach, watch for the cane or dog, and leave the person room to cross. The white cane and assistance dog are recognition cues for this special protection.

3. 3. What should a Kentucky driver do at an intersection when a traffic signal turns green?

   1. Accelerate immediately because cross traffic must stop
   2. Check that the path is clear before moving
   3. Enter while looking only left
   4. Use the opposite lane until traffic clears
   Show answer

   Check that the path is clear before moving. A green signal permits movement only after the driver checks that the path is clear. The manual warns that someone may disobey a control device, so immediate acceleration and a one direction glance can expose the vehicle to crossing traffic or bicyclists. Using the opposite lane is not a safe substitute for waiting. Before moving, look left, right, and left again, then proceed only when there is enough space to cross or turn into the proper lane.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Ten: Sharing the Road. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.