In this scenario, can you continue driving only after the pedestrian has completely exited the pedestrian crossing?
Show the correct answer
Correct answer
NO
Explanation
In the video, you are driving along a street in town and approaching a pedestrian crossing marked with sign D-6; the pedestrian has already crossed your half of the roadway and is finishing crossing on the left, moving away from your path. You do not have to wait until they have completely left the crossing. The answer is: no.
The Road Traffic Act states that when approaching a pedestrian crossing, the driver of a vehicle is obliged to exercise particular caution, to reduce speed so as not to endanger a pedestrian who is on the crossing or entering it, and to give way to them. Giving way means refraining from any movement that would force the pedestrian to stop, slow down or speed up - not waiting until they step off the crossing. Formally, the pedestrian is still on the crossing, but they are already outside your lane and moving away to the left; your driving through will not hinder them in any way, so you may continue, exercising particular caution and watching whether they turn back and whether someone else is stepping on from the right. If the pedestrian were still moving towards your path or walking unsteadily, you would wait. The rule: you let the pedestrian pass, rather than "waiting for an empty crossing".
Legal basis: Art. 26 para. 1 and Art. 2 point 23 of the Road Traffic Act (Prawo o ruchu drogowym); § 47 para. 1 and 4 of the Regulation on road signs and signals