Pedestrians visual impairment — Rhode Island Permit Test

When a pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog is crossing or trying to cross ahead of you, come to a complete stop before the intersection and yield.

A blind walker cannot see your car slowing, so only a full stop makes the crossing safe.

When a pedestrian is using a white cane or a guide dog while crossing or attempting to cross the street ahead of you, you must bring your vehicle to a complete stop before arriving at the intersection and yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.

Failing to yield to a pedestrian with a visual impairment can bring a fine of up to $1,000.

Without a steep fine, drivers might treat a blind walker's crossing as optional.

Fines for failing to yield to pedestrians with a visual impairment may result in a fine up to $1,000.

Pedestrians with a visual impairment use the sound of traffic, including your engine, to judge when to cross, so take extra care in a quiet electric or hybrid vehicle.

A blind walker who hears no engine may step out in front of a silent hybrid.

Pedestrians who are visually impaired use the sound of traffic (including your engine) as a guide in determining when it is safe to cross a street, so never assume they will expect you to make a right turn on a red light at an intersection after stopping.

A pedestrian with a white cane is starting to cross ahead of you. What must you do?

Stop before the intersection and yield. A blind walker cannot see your car slowing, so only a full stop makes the crossing safe. Rhode Island Driver’s Manual, p.54: “When a pedestrian is using a white cane or a guide dog while crossing or attempting to cross the street ahead of you, you must bring your vehicle to a complete stop before arriving at the intersection and yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.”