In Thailand and Laos, drivers frequently disregard international road traffic regulations, particularly the mandate to yield to pedestrians. This behavior compels pedestrians to rely on their judgment to assess safety gaps and cross independently, as drivers often do not prioritize them. Interestingly, many pedestrians choose to cross the road outside of designated crossings, which may reflect an adaptive behavior rooted in local cognitive and cultural contexts. In contrast, European countries have well-defined and strictly enforced regulations that require drivers to yield to pedestrians, resulting in safer pedestrian experiences. However, in Thailand and Laos, the lack of effective enforcement and compliance leads to hazardous pedestrian crossings. The disparity in pedestrian safety between these regions can be partly attributed to cognitive and behavioral factors, such as risk perception, learned behaviors, and cultural norms, which influence both pedestrian and driver actions. This study employed the field study method to analyze driver yielding rates at 12 locations in Udon Thani, Thailand, and Vientiane, Laos. Data collection encompassed traffic flow in both directions and was conducted under typical weather conditions on a standard working day, focusing on the rate and type of yielding by drivers. The findings reveal a minimal proportion of drivers who yield to pedestrians, with some locations exhibiting particularly low compliance rates. While a zero yielding rate theoretically increases road capacity by allowing continuous vehicle flow, it also endangers pedestrians, leading to potential accidents that can disrupt traffic flow. This situation underscores the need to consider cognitive and behavioral dimensions, such as how drivers perceive pedestrians and the habitual actions of both groups, in road design and traffic management policies. An understanding of these cognitive and behavioral aspects, alongside local cultural practices, is crucial for developing effective safety campaigns and infrastructural improvements that can enhance pedestrian safety in these regions.