Chapter 11: Pedestrians, Bicycles, Mopeds, and Emergency Vehicles

sharing the road with trucks

3 primary classifications of trucks: *1)* light *2)* medium *3)* heavy service trucks, pickup trucks, and delivery trucks are usually light / medium-weight heavy trucks include dump trucks / tractor trailers heavy trucks deserve special attention; in a collision their size puts a car at a disadvantage bc they're so heavy these trucks require long stopping distances their metal bumpers are high / rigid; they aren't equipped with the energy-absorbing bumpers installed on cars *when driving near these, increase your space cushion reduce your risk* even though most truck drivers practice a high degree of safe-driving behaviors there are times they suffer from fatigue or loss of sleep drivers often face the problem of tight scheduling / drive over long periods of time

weather conditions

Wet and icy roads are especially dangerous for cyclists hand-operated brakes don't work well when the wheels are wet, so bikers might need a GREATER stopping distance share MORE of the road by increasing your distance from them

turning right

a motorcyclist turning RIGHT is entitled to the *entire lane* for a NEW path of travel the rider may need to change lane position to avoid a hazard, such as gravel *multiple right-turning lanes*: can create a hazard bc some drivers move to a different lane during the turn watch for riders who are making right turns too, and stay within your lane

lane position

a passenger vehicle occupies about *6 feet* of a lane a motorcycle occupies about *3 feet* of a lane rider use every bit of their lane, but not all at the same time riders must adjust their positions to get the best visibility / to avoid hazards, such as gravel / potholes respect the rider's need / *legal right to use their full lane* NEVER SHARE THE LANE when changing lanes, check your bind spot carefully for motorcycles / scooter riders check your rear zone after each lane change

road conditions

a rider can quickly lose traction when the road is covered with oil wet leaves, sand, gravel, or snow search for riders who may be riding in these conditions / increase your following ditance

tractor trailers

a truck that has a powerful tractor pulling a separate trailer includes the engine and driver's cab most common tractor trailer is the *semi-truck* which has ONE trailer in some areas of the country a tractor may pull as many as 3 trailers

buses

although they aren't as heavy as tractor trailers, buses also present challenges to other drivers like trucks they have no zones and take EXTRA space to turn cause line-of-sight restrictions when driving behind a bus *increase your following distance to improve your line of sight*

snowplows and other equipment

at different times of the year you may encounter snowplows, farm vehicles, or equipment used for construction, such as *backhoes* these vehicles typically travel very slowly manage your space by adjusting your path of travel to gain the best line of sight when passing watch for plows / other equipment that are wider tan the vehicle itself protruding equipment can cause serious harm to you / your vehicle

intersections

at these, many pedestrians are hit by cars just as they step into the street they often walk into the side of a moving vehicle they didn't see when drivers disregard STOP or YIELD signs, pedestrians are at risk before entering an intersection take a few seconds to search for pedestrians, *esp. when there are visual obstacles* collisions with pedestrians often occur when cars are *turning left* since drivers are concentrates on traffic lights / turning maneuver and may fail to see the pedestrian SEARCH CAREFULLY for pedestrians before committing to a left turn when driver *turn right on red* pedestrians have less time to cross safely ALWAYS YIELD to pedestrians who are in / approaching the roadway before turning right on red

school buses

bc kids are often unaware of the dangers of traffic you have the responsibility for driving cautiously near school buses watch for bright yellow buses in the morning / afternoon when schools are opening / closing kids are at greatest risk of injury around buses that are loading / unloading *reduce speed around school bus stops* search for kids who are rushing to catch a bus BE PREPARED TO STOP you must stop for the *flashing red lights* on a school bus some school buses have amber lights that flash BEFORE the red lights begin, or a STOP arm that swings out from the driver's side of the bus when the RED LIGHTS begin to flash motorists traveling in both directions must STOP before reaching the school bus *all traffic must remain stopped until the flashing red lights are turned off* passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights is a SERIOUS OFFENSE and can result in a *large fine or even a suspended license* being patient / cautious will help ensure that kids arrive safely

Driver Responsibilities

bc mopeds / bikes are so vulnerable, drivers of larger cars have the responsibility to protect them give bikes / moped riders extra space whenever possible a cyclist may swerve into your path to avoid hazards such as potholes, puddles, storm drains, or gravel on the roadway *respect their need when they use a whole lane* avoid using your horn since it can startle bikers / cause them to lose control allow EXTRA TIME for them to pass through intersections use low-beam headlights at night when mopeds / bikes are nearby some cities / towns have lanes that are reserved for bikes never park / drive in a marked bike lane

pedestrian responsibilities

be responsible for your own safety as a pedestrian expect that drivers may not see you or might not yield the right of way - make yourself visible; if you know you'll be out at night, wear light-colored clothing / carry a light (esp. in rural areas) - walk on sidewalks if there are any, or walk so you are facing traffic - use crosswalks and obey traffic signals; don't jaywalk - watch for oncoming traffic every time you cross the street - don't walk into traffic lanes from between parked vehicles

exiting a parked car

bicyclist / moped riders are easily hidden in your blind spots *before* opening your door, check your rear zones for bicyclists *then* open your doors carefully, and check for riders again

carrying passengers

carrying passengers on a motorcycle / scooter requires skills passengers can affect a rider's control if they move around *don't hold onto the rider's wait / handholds* OR resist leaning with the rider into a turn *at low speeds*: the operator may have difficulty with balance / control weight of the passenger will INCREASE the distance needed for acceleration / stopping follow at a SAFE distance / be prepared to change speed / position

backing out

check / check again when backing out of a driveway parking lot, or side street that has line-of-sight restrictions *reduce risk by PARKING so you can drive out straight ahead*

turning

don't make a quick right turn in front of a bike / moped the rider may not have enough time / efficient space to avoid you if there is insufficient space to pass and safely turn RIGHT, *reduce your speed / let cyclists pass through the intersection before you* turning LEFT, search for bikes approaching the intersection take time to judge the gap / decide whether or not you have enough space to turn left safely

passing

don't pass a bike if oncoming traffic is near when it's safe to pass, leave at least 1/2 a lane between your vehicle and the bike leave more if the lanes are narrow after passing *check your rear zone before returning to your lane*

the no zone

drivers of heavy trucks sit high above the road / have an excellent view of the roadway ahead also have very large blind spots called the *no zone* includes areas at the side, rear, and front front no zone: can extend more than 20ft if you're driving within any party of the no zone the driver may be unaware of your presence if you can't see the truck driver in the truck's mirror the truck driver can't see you *right-side blind spot*: the most DANGEROUS bc trucks make wide right turns

turning left

drivers often make LEFT turns in front of motorcyclists= little time / space for the rider to avoid a collision *turning left in front of an oncoming rider is a* MAJOR CAUSE OF RIDER FATALITIES when you need to turn left you should search your left, front, and right zones carefully *multiple left-turn one way lanes*: requires extra alertness since riders can easily be hidden by larger vehicles watch approaching riders long enough to determine if the gap is large enough= a LEFT TURN onto a TWO-WAY LANE requires *at least 7 seconds* commit to your left turn only AFTER you're POSITIVE you have sufficient time when 2 lanes are reserved for left turns, stay within your lane as you make your turn a motorcyclist in the LEFT-TURN LANE NEXT TO YOU will need an entire lane to negotiate his / her own left turn

motorcycles

engines can be more powerful than a full-sized passenger car can reach speeds of 100mph

scooters

generally smaller / less performance-orientated than motorcycles (although some are as large as a mid-sized motorcycle) have a step-through frame so the rider can sit on the seat like a chair (motocycles don't) operators of motorcycles / scooters have the same rights and responsibilities as those of other motor vehicle expected to obey all traffic law and rules of the roads

other specialized vehicles

in addition to trucks / buses you share the road with a number of other kinds of vehicles these include low-sped vehicle, snowplows, and farm equipment

Low-speed vehicles (LSVs)

include all 4-wheeled vehicles (excluding trucks) with top speeds between 20-25mph these include gold carts / neighborhood electric vehicles (NEHs) NEHs are growing in popularity as they require no trips to the gas station, have no emissions, and have lower maintenance requirements LSVs aren't required to have doors or bumpers but MUST HAVE A license plate / safety features like turn signals, windshields, and seatbelts when you encounter an LSC be aware of its low power / lack of protection *be prepared to adjust your speed / position to avoid conflict*

passing and being passed

it is safer to pass trucks that are going UPHILL than it is when passing trucks going DOWNHILL a heavy vehicle will usually lose speed when traveling uphill, and gain speed when going downhill passing on a downhill grade: can result in a truck quickly moving into your rear zone / tailgating you to safely pass a long vehicle you need more distance; when in position to pass check your front and rear zones and your blind spots; signal a lane change to reduce risk: *1)* stay in lane position 2 and complete your pass carefully and quickly; don't linger in te no zone *2)* signal and return to your lane only AFTER you can see at least ONE HEADLIGHT in your rearview mirror; don't slow down!!! be prepared for increased wind turbulence when passing a truck, or when a truck passes you grip the steering wheel firmly when being passed by a heavy vehicle move to lane position 3 if conditions permit if you pass during rain or snow or when the road is wet, spray from the truck may cover your windshield ^if so, increase your wiper speed / use your windshield washer to keep your windshield clear; if needed, pull over in a safe location and clean your windows

public buses

local transportation buses make frequent stops to pick up / drop off passengers, usually at intersections on 2-lane roads they can slow traffic some communities provide special bus lanes to help move traffic expect buses to make frequent stops and be alert for pedestrians rushing to catch a bus / crossing the street after getting off

protecting pedestrians

may cross road anywhere so as a driver you have a LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY to protect pedestrians in every situations if you're alert where pedestrians are likely to enter the road you can REDUCE the risk of conflict use the IPDE Process / always be ready to yield to pedestrians

searching at intersections

most collisions with 2-wheeled vehicles happen at intersections drivers often misjudge the distance / speed of the oncoming rider, esp. at night *reducing speed* as you approach an intersection will give you MORE TIME to visually search for motorcycles / scooters blinking turn signal is NOT AN ABSOLUTE GUARANTEE THAT THE RIDER IS TURNING just as car signals may not automatically cancel, a rider's turn signal may be left on unintentionally *look for other indications that riders plan to turn*: - reducing speed - searching the intersections - changing positions within a lane - looking to the left and right

reduced visibility

most collisions with pedestrians happen at NIGHT when a road is poorly lit it can be hard to see a person, esp. those wearing dark clothing watch for pedestrians walking along / across the road rain, snow, and sleet often cause people to be more concerned about protection from weather than protection from traffic watch for pedestrians disregarding traffic / crosswalks as they hurry to escape the bad weather

pedestrians

most vulnerable of all roadway users = collisions injure an aver. of 1 pedestrian every *8 minutes* / kill 1 pedestrian ever *108 minutes* many aren't fully aware of traffic laws / signals greatest risk of injury is among children / seniors: - children are less visible to drivers and lack judgment to know when it is safe to cross - seniors may not hear or see well; some may walk ore slowly drivers often fail to see pedestrians and some pedestrians are careless or in a hurry and take chances on the roadway *jaywalking* or disregarding traffic rules / signals *nearly 1/2 of ALL pedestrian fatalities involve the use of alcohol by the driver / pedestrian*

using IPDE to protect riders

motorcycle / scooter riders are everywhere, and sometimes where you least expect them to be drivers often don't identify them in time to prevent a collision when a motocycle collides with another vehicle the *driver of the vehicle is at fault more than 50% of the time* make a special effort to use the IPDE Process the prevent conflicts *IDENTIFY*= crucial step since motocycles are easily hidden in heavy traffic / by bushes / parked cars alongside the road riders are even LESS visible at NIGHT many riders wear bright clothing / helmets that will make them more noticeable some keep their headlights on at all times to make themselves more visible search for *reflective* materials on a rider's helmet / jacket (esp. at night)

acceleration and braking

motorcycles / scooters are capable of amazing acceleration this acceleration can help them avoid potential hazards, but it can also get them in trouble motorcycles have separate brakes for the front and rear wheels most of the stopping power is in the front brake locking the front / rear brake can result in a *loss of control* a skillful rider with good traction / good tires may be able to stop more quickly than a car driver an inexperienced rider can lose control

crosswalks

pedestrians have the right of way when crossing within a crosswalk marked crosswalks may be located at *intersections* or *mid-block* collisions often happen in crosswalks when drivers fail to look for pedestrians / pedestrians assume the driver will yield to them some crosswalks are controlled by signals that tell pedestrians when to cross however signals may NOT give enough time for all pedestrians to clear the crosswalk *you must yield until everyone has cleared out of the crosswalk EVEN IF YOUR LIGHT IS GREEN*

jaywalk

pedestrians that may cross against a light / dart out from between parked cars

bicycles and mopeds

popular forms or transport / recreation sharing the road with these small vehicles requires particular attention

emergency vehicles

respond to fires, medical emergencies, rescues and incidents involving hazardous materials the driver of an emergency vehicle may disregard traffic signs, speed limits, and the direction of traffic / parking *require immediate action* when one approaches from any direction you *must yield the right of way* normal circumstances: vehicle will seek to pass you on the LEFT help emergency vehicle get to their destination by pulling as FAR TO THE RIGHT as possible and stop until the emergency vehicle passes if it's not possible to pull right, STOP in a place that is out of the path of the emergency vehicle avoid *gawking or rubbernecking* as this only adds to congestions / potential conflicts

protective gear

riders on motorcycles / scooters are fully exposed to the environment riders can reduce / prevent injuries by using *protective gear* 2 purposes: *1)* comfort *2)* protection uncomfortable protective gear can create distractions inferior gear can reduce protection: - goggled or a face shield to protect vision - gloves to protect hands, increase handlebar grip, and reduce fatigue - over-the-ankle boots to protect / support feet and ankles - sturdy jackets and pants to protect against the weather and flying object

riding a 2-wheeled vehicle

riding a motorcycle / scooter is very different from driving a 4-wheeled vehicle understanding the special needs of motorcycle / scooter rider will help you predict their behavior maintaining balance / traction on a 2-wheeled vehicle requires the skillful use of the controls / body position *motorcycles*= less stable at very low speeds than at higher speeds, but higher speeds reduce maneuverability which can be challenging (esp. for new riders) just like cars these need traction to accelerate, brake, and turn a patch of gravel / wet leaves can be a serious hazard for a motorcyclist or scooter rider

moped

small 2-wheeled vehicle that can be driven with either a motor or pedals name comes from combining the MO in motor-driven and the PED in pedal-driven powered by an engine / controlled by a hand throttle can be pedaled / stopped with a hand brake very small engines with max. speed of only 20-35mph small size = economical / easy to navigate low power= hard to keep up with the flow of traffic so they're more vulnerable among larger / faster cars *NOT PERMITTED ON HIGH-SPEED ROADWAYS*

business districts

typically have heavy traffic / many pedestrians both drivers / pedestrians are subjected to many distractions drive through business districts safely; searching for pedestrians in crosswalks be prepared for jaywalkers who may cross the street mid-block without any warning

riding in groups

when 2 or more motorcyclists travel together they should ride in an offset position this gives each individual good space for visibility / maneuvering giver riders in a group THEIR FULL LANE *don't be tempted to share the lane even if there appears to be room*

alleys and driveways

when approaching a sidewalk from an alley or driveway you should expect pedestrians to appear from either direction line of sight restricted: make *2 stops* *1)* stop before the sidewalk and search in both directions *2)* stop again and look for traffic before you enter the street

residential areas

when driving in these areas, reduce speed and use a lane position that give you the best visibility crosswalks on residential streets aren't typically marked search for anyone coing from between parked cars, such as kids etc. although joggers are safer on sidewalks / jogging paths, expect to see them on streets / in traffic lanes always be ready to slow, steer around, or stop for a jogger

trucks making right turns

when following large trucks be aware that they require plenty of space to make a turn in order to turn RIGHT a truck usually tarts by swinging out to the left drivers of these vehicles can't see other drivers directly behind / beside them *always watch a truck's turn signals* and leave PLENTY of room for the truck to make its turn trying to squeeze between then truck / the curb is an invitation for disaster

responsibilities of cyclists

when riding a bike / moped you must obey all traffic laws such as STOP signs, traffic lights, and lane markings to reduce your risk of collision *always ride in a predictably straight line / in the same direction as other traffic* = making sure you select lane positions that make you clearly visible search intersections, driveways, and parked cars for potential hazards and use hand signals to indicate turns and stops when riding with others: *ride single file* to protect yourself you should always wear a helmet, light-colored clothing, and reflective tape *never wear headphones*

adverse weather conditions

when riding in an enclosed vehicle you're protected from rain, sun, sleet, wind, or hail - motorcyclists have limited protection rider might have reduced vision, esp. if they're not wearing a face shield / goggles heavy winds can affect a rider's balance any time that weather conditions reduce your visibility / traction be aware that conditions are much worse for the rider riders who ARE NOT wearing proper gear can become quickly chilled / distraction = slowing perception and reaction time increase your *spare cushion* if possible *move to another lane*

following large trucks

when you follow a large truck it causes a line-of-sight restriction tailgating a truck is not cool; you can't see what is occurring in front of the truck so you are relying on the truck driver to be alert / keep the heavy truck under control if the driver brakes suddenly you're likely to crash into the truck increase your following distance to *MORE THAN 4 SECONDS* and stay well out of the rear no zone

meeting a large truck

you don't have a lot of room when meet large trucks on narrow, 2-lane roads when you meet a truck, move to lane position 3 reduce speed / drive straight toward your target area hold the steering wheel firmly bc you may encounter a gust of wind as you drive by before you commit to passing or turning left, check your gap and decide how quickly the vehicle is approaching large vehicles often appear to be moving more slowly than they really are

searching for bikes and mopeds

you may encounter these almost anywhere you drive small size = hard to see, esp. at intersections size ALSO makes it hard to judge their speed / distance as they often appear to be moving much slower tan they really are use the IPDE Process to actively search for bikes / mopeds scan widely enough to include the sides of the roadways be alert for bikes on sidewalks approaching intersections; predict that they may leave the sidewalk / cross the road in front of you kids on bikes are often hard to see / be very unpredictable as they don't look for traffic or know and understand traffic laws some kids can't control their bikes well expect to see them on bikes near playgrounds, residential areas, and school zones search for kids riding on sidewalks when you enter / exit driveways, parking lots, and alleys reduce speed / select a lane position that gives kids on bikes the most possible space