Sharing the Road Safely
Drivers of cars and trucks share the road with others. You must know laws that apply to other road users. In crashes involving large trucks, the occupants of a car – usually the driver – sustain 78 percent of fatalities. In order to keep you and your teen safe on the road, you should be extra cautious when driving around motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles, large trucks and emergency vehicles. Sharing the road can be dangerous if you are not aware of your limitations. Here are a few tips to help you drive safer to prevent a crash and minimize injuries and fatalities if one does occur:
Motorcycles
Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on public roads as other users. As a defensive driver, you need to be aware of some special situations and conditions so you can share the road safely with motorcyclists.
- Motorcycles are not easily identified in traffic.
- Drivers turning left in front of an oncoming motorcyclist cause a large percentage of car-cycle crashes. Make sure you identify the motorcycle as a critical object and know its speed before you make a left turn.
- Be aware of motorcycles on the road. Regardless of who is legally at fault in car-cycle crashes, the motorcyclist is usually the loser.
Trucks
Heavy vehicles (trucks) are not large cars. Whether accelerating, braking, climbing a hill, switching lanes or turning onto a side street, tractor-trailer rigs must perform certain maneuvers that drivers of passenger vehicles are generally not familiar with. The motorist is often unprepared to share the road safely with heavy-vehicle traffic.
Cutting in front can cut your life short: If you cut in front of another vehicle, you may create an emergency-braking situation for the vehicles around you, especially in heavy traffic. Trucks take much longer to stop in comparison to cars. When passing, look for the front of the truck in your rearview mirror before pulling in front, and avoid braking situations.
Watch your blind spots – the “no-zones”: Heavy vehicles (trucks) have blind spots, or no-zones, around the front, back, and sides of the vehicle. These no-zones make it difficult for the driver to see. Avoid being caught in a truck’s no-zones. If you can’t see the truck driver in the truck’s mirror, the truck driver can’t see you.
Avoid squeeze play: Be careful of trucks making wide right turns. If you try to get in between the truck and the curb, you’ll be caught in a “squeeze” crash. Truck drivers sometimes need to swing widely to the left in order to safely negotiate a right turn. They can’t see cars directly behind or beside them. Cutting in between the truck and the curb increases the possibility of a crash. So pay attention to truck signals, and give them lots of room to maneuver.
Farm and slow-moving vehicles
Farm and slow-moving vehicles have a special symbol warning other drivers at right on the back of a vehicle; it is a warning to slow down (shown at right). It means the vehicle cannot travel faster than 25 miles per hour. Don’t be impatient if you find yourself behind one of these slow vehicles.
Source: Safe Roads Alliance
Speed is everything
Sharing the road safely – part two
Move Over Law
Effective July 2018, the Wyoming Statute states that when an emergency vehicle or an authorized municipal, public utility or highway construction or maintenance vehicle is stopped or is moving at less than twenty (20) miles per hour on or within three (3) feet of a roadway with lights or other emergency signals activated, the driver of every other vehicle should be sure to do one of the following, as soon as it is safe:
- When driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two (2) or more lanes traveling in the same direction of the emergency vehicle or other municipal vehicle, the driver shall merge into the lane farthest from the vehicle or at least one (1) lane of traffic apart from the vehicle except when otherwise directed by a police officer;
- When driving on a two (2) lane road with a posted speed limit of forty-five (45) miles per hour or greater, the driver shall slow to a speed that is twenty (20) miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
Emergency vehicles
Emergency vehicles may be parked in the roadway or alongside another vehicle. When driving on any road, from an interstate highway to a narrow two (2) lane road, you must follow the above guidelines under the Move Over Law upon approaching a parked emergency vehicle whose audible or visual signals are in use.
Work zones
Work zones can be very dangerous, especially when traveling on the highway. It’s important to be alert and prepared to slow down or stop in a work zone. Slowing down and allowing others to merge will ensure a safe passage. Here are a few tips on work zone safety:
- Stay alert and follow posted speed limits: Work zones are busy places where construction vehicles and workers are always moving. Be alert, and stay on the safe path that is designated throughout the work zone. Remember: speed limits are reduced in work zones for a reason.
- Take your cues from trucks: Work zones often pop up suddenly. If you are not paying attention to the signs, you could find yourself in a serious crash. Since trucks have a height advantage and can see ahead of traffic, their brake light activity can provide a good signal of a slow-down or work zone ahead. Truck drivers know the stopping limitations of their trucks and pay close attention to traffic.
- Merge gently: Aggressive drivers can be extremely dangerous while driving in work zones. Work zones require time and courtesy. For a smooth passage through work zones, allow others to merge in front of you. Be especially considerate of trucks; they require more space to merge and are the least maneuverable vehicles on the road.
- Safe distance: Leave extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you, and keep a safe distance between you and workers on or near the roadway.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Animals
Because of Wyoming’s abundant wildlife population, collisions with animals, and particularly with deer and other “big-game” animals, are real dangers on Wyoming’s rural highways. Although there is no fool-proof way to avoid a vehicle-animal collision, there are steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of such a crash and lessen the severity of one if it does happen. When you see an animal on or near the roadway, reduce your speed and tap your brakes, to warn other drivers, and sound your horn. If a collision seems inevitable, don’t swerve suddenly to avoid the animal. Brake as quickly as you safely can, but keep your vehicle under control and on the road.