Sharing the Road

Pedestrians and bicycles

Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, marked or not. Never wave a pedestrian into a gap if other lanes may not stop. Give bicyclists at least 3 feet when passing. They may take a full lane when the lane is too narrow to share, when turning, or when hazards force it. At night a bike needs a front light and a rear reflector.

Motorcycles and trucks

Motorcycles are harder to see and can stop in a shorter distance. Leave a three-second following gap. Check blind spots twice. Do not share a lane. Pass a motorcycle as you would a car.

Trucks have huge blind spots — the “no-zones” on both sides, immediately in front, and up to 200 feet behind. If you cannot see the driver in the truck’s mirror, the driver cannot see you. Do not linger there. Trucks swing wide on right turns; do not sneak inside.

Trains and slow-moving vehicles

Trains always win. Stop 15–50 feet from the rail when lights flash, gates lower, a flagger signals, or a train is near. Never stop on the tracks. If your vehicle stalls, get everyone out and run away at a 45-degree angle toward the oncoming train’s direction of travel (so debris is thrown the other way), then call 911. Expect a second train on a second track.

Farm equipment and other slow-moving vehicles (25 mph or less) display an orange-red triangle emblem. Slow down, give space, and pass only when you can see far ahead.