Sharing the Road

Trucks and other large or slow vehicles

Watch your blind spots – the “No-Zones.” Large 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 you.

Give them room and expect their speed to be less than the posted speed limit, especially on steep hills.

School buses

Always be cautious around school buses and know when the law requires you to stop for one that is loading or unloading students. Vehicles behind a bus that is loading or unloading students must always stop. Opposing traffic only needs to stop if there are fewer than two lanes on both sides of the road.

Bikes

Bikes are considered vehicles and should be given the appropriate right of way, as with other vehicles. Reduce your speed when encountering and don’t tailgate, especially in bad weather. Leave plenty of room, at least 4 feet and pass with care. Always look for cyclists when you open your door.

Children on bikes can be unpredictable, slow down and use extra caution. Don’t expect children to know traffic laws. Because of their size they can be harder to see.

Pedestrians

Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections – it’s the law. Crosswalks exist at all intersections, even when unmarked. Always look for pedestrians especially before turning at a light. Stay alert and slow down, particularly in residential areas, school zones and commercial areas. Children, particularly, have not yet developed the cognitive skills to calculate speed and distance.

Motorcycles

Always treat motorcycle operators with courtesy. Leave plenty of extra space between your vehicle and a motorcycle. Motorcycles can usually stop in shorter distances and may suddenly swerve to avoid obstacles. Before changing lanes, check to see if a motorcycle is in your blind spot or in the space where you plan to move. After you pass, look again before you move back into the other.

At intersections, motorcycles’ smaller size makes it difficult to judge their distance and speed, an oncoming motorcycle is probably much closer and coming much faster than it appears.

Emergency vehicles

When you hear sirens and see flashing lights, you should get out of the way as quickly and safely as possible. First, check the traffic around you and slow down. If traffic allows, signal and then pull to the right, clear of an intersection, and stop. Remain there until the emergency vehicle has passed.