Right of way and pedestrians

Key points

1. Courtesy is a key to safe driving, and safety comes before right of way.

   Source: PDF page 59

   “Courtesy is a key to safe driving and safety comes before right-of-way.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 59

2. If another driver does not follow the right of way rules, give the right of way anyway.

   Source: PDF page 59

   “There are certain rules to help determine the right-of-way, but if the other driver does not follow these rules, give the right-of-way.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 59

3. In every situation, right of way is something to be given, not taken.

   Source: PDF page 59

   “Remember, in every situation, right-of-way is something to be given, not taken.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 59

4. Vehicle and pedestrian collisions account for nearly 20% of traffic fatalities.

   Source: PDF page 60

   “Vehicle-pedestrian collisions account for nearly 20% of traffic fatalities.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 60

5. Take extreme care to avoid pedestrians in school zones, bus stops, playgrounds and parks.

   Source: PDF page 60

   “Drivers must use extreme care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, especially in areas where special hazards exist, such as school zones, bus stops, playgrounds, and parks.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 60

6. Pedestrians must not walk on interstate highways.

   Source: PDF page 60

   “Pedestrians must not walk on interstate highways or other areas where signs to that effect are posted.”
   West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, PDF page 60

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the West Virginia practice test

1. 1. What is the handbook's guiding principle when another driver fails to yield as required?

   1. Give the right-of-way to avoid a collision
   2. Force the other driver to stop because the rule is on your side
   3. Use the horn until the other driver reverses
   4. Proceed first whenever you entered the road legally
   Show answer

   Give the right-of-way to avoid a collision. West Virginia presents right-of-way as a safety responsibility, not a prize to seize. The handbook says there are rules to help determine the right-of-way, but if the other driver does not follow them, you give the right-of-way, and it adds that right-of-way is something to be given, not taken. Forcing the issue can turn a legal priority into a crash. A horn may warn but cannot replace a safe decision, and entering legally does not guarantee that every other driver will notice you. Reduce speed, create space, and let the conflict pass before resuming your route.

2. 2. A traffic light shows green, but a police officer in the intersection signals you to stop. What should you do?

   1. Stop, because the officer's directions overrule the signal
   2. Go, because the green light controls the intersection
   3. Go if no cross traffic is visible
   4. Stop only if a sign also tells you to stop
   Show answer

   Stop, because the officer's directions overrule the signal. West Virginia's right-of-way rules say that directions of a police officer overrule the message of any sign, signal, or road marking. That means an officer's direction comes before a green light, a red light, a stop sign, or a lane marking. If an officer tells you to stop on a green light, you must stop, even when no cross traffic is visible. Watch the officer closely as you approach the intersection, follow each direction given, and be ready to stop at any time. The rule applies to every sign, signal, and road marking, so no other sign is needed to back up the officer.

3. 3. Where should drivers use extreme care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian?

   1. Only at gas stations
   2. In office parks, warehouses, and industrial loading docks
   3. In school zones, bus stops, playgrounds, and parks
   4. At bank drive-throughs, car washes, and toll plazas
   Show answer

   In school zones, bus stops, playgrounds, and parks. Pedestrian collisions are especially dangerous in places where people may enter the roadway unexpectedly. The handbook names school zones, bus stops, playgrounds, and parks as locations requiring extreme care. These areas can have children, people crossing between vehicles, or limited sight distance. Office parks, loading docks, bank drive-throughs, car washes, and toll plazas are not the handbook's listed warning locations, and neither is a gas station. Reduce speed, scan both sides, and be ready to stop whenever a pedestrian may move into your path.

Source: the West Virginia Driver's Licensing Handbook, Chapter VI: Traffic Laws And Rules Of 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.