Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8: OTHER ROAD USERS

Pedestrians and Special Hazard Areas

  • Importance of Vigilance: Always be on the lookout for pedestrians.

  • Common Hazards:

    • Watch for pedestrians crossing from between parked cars.

    • Be most alert in locations such as:

    • Cities

    • Shopping centers

    • Neighborhoods

    • Suburban roads

  • Legal Regulations:

    • Failure to yield to a pedestrian can result in a $200 fine and up to 30 days of Community Service.

  • Special Hazard Areas:

    • School zones

    • Bus stops

    • Playgrounds

    • Parks

    • Any place where children play or cross the street.

Visually Challenged Persons

  • Identification: Visually challenged individuals usually carry:

    • A metallic cane

    • A guide dog

  • Right of Way: They have the right of way when crossing a highway or intersection.

Bicycles, Skateboards, Inline Skates

  • Legal Standing: Bicycles, skateboards, and inline skates have the same rights and responsibilities as a moving vehicle.

  • Night Riding Requirements:

    • Bikes ridden after dark must be equipped with:

    • A front light

    • A rear light

    • A rear reflector.

Bicycles, Skateboards, Inline Skates Continued

  • Right Turn Protocols:

    • Vehicles must yield to bicyclists, skateboarders, or pedestrians moving through an intersection when turning right.

  • Left Turn Guidelines:

    • Bicyclists or skateboarders may choose to use traffic lanes to turn as a vehicle would.

  • Awareness: Remain alert for the presence of these users on the road.

Motorcycles

  • Regulations: The same traffic laws that apply to other vehicles also govern motorcycles.

  • Hazards:

    • Slippery, sloped, or uneven surfaces and grooves present hazards for motorcycle riders.

  • Accident Causes: The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is failure to see a motorcycle.

Buses and Mopeds

  • Right-of-Way Rules: All vehicles must yield the right-of-way to buses re-entering traffic after picking up or dropping off passengers.

  • Moped Regulations:

    • Mopeds should not exceed a speed of 25 mph.

    • Mopeds must stay to the right side of the roadway.

    • They share the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers.

ATV’s and Motorized Scooters

  • Legal Status: ATVs and snowmobiles are NOT street-legal.

  • Insurance Requirements:

    • Must have proof of insurance.

    • Must display registration at all times.

Horses and Animals

  • Horse-Drawn Vehicles:

    • Must follow all traffic rules applicable to vehicles.

    • May not use certain limited access highways and must ride with traffic.

    • They must stay to the right side of the road.

  • Animal Awareness: Watch for animals that may dart into the road.

Trucks, Tractor Trailers and Buses

  • Usage of Highways:

    • Trucks are required to use designated highways identified as appropriate for large trucks (e.g., state or county roads are permissible for deliveries, pickups, or business).

  • Safety Considerations:

    • Be aware of a truck's stopping, visibility, and other limitations.

    • In bad weather conditions, it can take trucks up to 25% longer to stop.

    • Remember that trucks have many blind spots.

Truck Blind Spots and Safety Precautions

  • Avoid staying in a truck’s blind spot.

  • Safe Distances:

    • Do not tailgate or place yourself between two trucks.

    • Maintain a distance of at least 200 feet from trucks.

  • Passing Guidelines: When passing a truck:

    • Ensure you can see the whole front of the truck before merging in front.

    • Do not pass on the right side.

    • Avoid driving alongside a truck to allow space for emergency maneuvers.

Limitations of a Truck

  • Key Limitations:

    • Limited Visibility

    • Required Stopping Distances

    • Maneuverability of the vehicle

    • Blind spots known as "NO ZONES".