OTHER HIGHWAY USERS ALABAMA COURSE OF STUDY #15 Describe driver responsibilities toward other highway users, including pedestrians, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and drivers of commercial vehicles and buses.

Other Highway Users Motorcyclists Bicyclists Pedestrians

People walking or running/jogging on the road. At sometime or another, every driver is a pedestrian and the traffic laws are written for both drivers and pedestrians

Pedestrians On streets on which cars are parked During the hours of darkness or poor visibility At places where people cross-near mailboxes, churches, bus stops, etc. During morning and afternoon when children are going to and from school or at play Be especially alert for older people who move slowly and cannot see or hear well As a driver you should be alert for pedestrians when:

Pedestrians Yield the right of way to pedestrians Not pass another vehicle stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk Stop for school children and school safety patrols directing the movement of children Yield to blind pedestrians carrying a cane with a red tip or using a guide dog Not block crosswalks when at a stop sign or waiting on a red light Stop for a school bus displaying and extended stop arm Exercise extreme care to avoid hitting a pedestrian Drivers Must :

Pedestrians Obey traffic control signs at intersections Use sidewalks where provided and usable Walk on the left side of the roadway giving way to oncoming traffic. Yield to all vehicles when crossing at points other than within a marked crosswalk or in a crosswalk (extension of the sidewalk) at an intersection. Not stand in the roadway while hitchhiking Pedestrians Must:

Motorcycles Motorcycle popularity has increased dramatically Motorcycle accident statistics show that a substantial percentage of the accidents involve riders with limited experience Even when seen, its difficult for some drivers to judge how far away motorcyclists are. Left turns in front of an oncoming motorcyclists account for a large percentage of car/cycle injury producing accidents

Motorcycles LOOK AND LOOK AGAIN. Make sure you know the speed of the motorcycle before making a left turn. Driver should never move into the same lane along side a motorcycle. This is not only dangerous, but illegal. Allow even more following distance when its dark, raining, or the road surface is wet and slippery. Be aware of windy conditions as motorcycles can be moved by the wind.

Motorcycles Gravel, debris, pavement seams, small animals, and even manhole covers may cause the motorcycle to change speed, move around in their lane or change direction. Regardless of who is legally at fault in a car/cycle accidents, the motorcyclist is usually the loser.

Bicyclists Traffic laws also apply to bicyclists, but sometimes both adults and children cyclists appear unaware of responsibilities. Bicycle riders must ride as close to the right curb as possible except when: -passing another vehicle -preparing for a left turn -to avoid traffic conditions Bicycle riders are required to signal for all turns using hand signals Every bicycle driver on a roadway has to wear an approved helmet.

Bicyclists Motor vehicle drivers must be aware of: – Where bike lanes have been established – Passing bike riders. Make sure you are not too close – The road narrowing and you are unable to pass, do NOT blow your horn – Bikes during wet conditions – And, especially watchful, at intersections, when crossing sidewalks, or when entering or leaving alleys or driveways. – Bikes that are not equipped with lights or reflectors, so the hours of darkness are very dangerous. Use extra caution during wet weather and loose surfaces.

Other Highway users we forget Street Vendors People Fundraising Animals – dogs, cats, deer, etc. Slow down and use extra caution in uncertain situations.

Signs can help us be aware of other highway users – pay attention to these signs Possible caution signs of other highway users (Some may be regional)

OTHER HIGHWAY USERS Commercial Vehicles – Semi Trucks – Tractors (in rural areas)

When driving around commercial vehicles be aware of: Blind Spots (No Zones) Stopping Distance Tailgating Passing Wide Turns Backing

Blind Spots/No Zones Don’t drive in a truck’s blind spot or NO ZONE If you can NOT see the driver he can NOT see you! Don’t linger in these zones for your safety and those around you.

Blind Spots/No Zones Side no-zone: When passing a truck, always try to pass on the left and do it as quickly as possible. Do NOT ride along side of the truck. Rear no-zones: this zone could extend as far as 200 feet behind the truck. At night, dim your lights so it does not reflect into the driver in front of you. Front no-zones: Never cut off a truck! Larger vehicles need 2 times more room to stop. – According to a National Safety Council, at 55 mph a car needs 193 feet to safely stop where it would take a loaded truck 430 According to a National Safety Council, at 55 mph a car needs 193 feet to safely stop where it would take a loaded truck 430 feet.

BLIND SPOTS/NO ZONES Backing no-zone: truck drivers can not see you directly behind them. Listen for their sounds and signals and be aware of your position. Turning no-zones: Trucks make wide right turns and have to swing to the left to make some turns. Look for sings and signals that the truck is making a right turn and give them room

Passing Larger Vehicles Check your side mirror and blind spot to make sure the other lane is clear Signal When it is clear smoothly pull into the other lane Smoothly pass the intended vehicle and make sure you are not lingering in their No Zone. Do not cut back in too soon!!

Passing Large Vehicles When you can clearly see the entire front of the vehicle in your rear view mirror it is safe for you to pull in front of the vehicle. Stay well in front of the vehicle after passing Never cut one off just to turn. Don’t make sudden movements or stopping immediately following passing. If your turn was coming up, do not pass, slow and stay behind the large vehicle.

Wide Turns Right Turns Give them room Do not move up beside a large vehicle making a right turn

Other Highway users SCHOOL BUSES

SCHOOL BUS DANGER AREAS Anytime you are near a school bus, you should be extremely cautious.

When you are waiting for the school bus, you should wait at the bus stop, and stand well back from the curb. – Make sure you have eye contact with the driver, and wait for the driver to signal you before you cross in front of the bus. – Stand in a group while waiting for the bus. No pushing or shoving. – Stay out of the DANGER ZONE until the bus driver lets you know it's safe to get on. – If you can touch the bus, you're too close. – Once the bus arrives, line up with the smaller children at the front. Get on the bus one at a time. When you get off the bus: – Look to the rear of the bus before you step off the bottom step. More and more motorists are passing stopped school buses on the right shoulder - where the door is. – Take (five giant steps) straight out the bus door, and out of the danger zone. – Never go back for anything you have left on the bus. – Move away from the DANGER ZONE after leaving the bus. Never bend down near or under the bus. School Bus Safety Tips For Children

ON THE BUS Use the handrail when getting on or off the bus. Take your seat right away and stay seated until you leave the bus. Face forward and don't throw things inside the bus or out the bus window. Talk quietly and keep your head and arms inside the bus. Wait until the bus stops before standing. Always listen to school bus drivers - they're in charge. If you forget any of these rules, they can tell you what it takes to be a safe bus rider.

Flashing amber lights are a pre- warning that the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload students. In rural areas the lights are used 300 ft. in advance and in cities, at least 100 ft. SCHOOL BUS Red flashing lights and extended stop arm means the bus is stopped to load and unload students. SCHOOL BUS WARNING LIGHTS

Red Flashing Lights and Stop Sign Stop and remain stopped until Stop Signal is retracted and Red Lights stop Flashing

School bus safety State law requires you to come to a complete stop when you are following or meeting a school bus which has stopped on the road

Rules For Divided Multi-lane Highways You should stop when meeting or following a bus on a four (4) to six (6) lane UNDIVIDED highway You are not required to stop under the following circumstances – If the highway is four (4) lanes or more and is divided (median) and two (2) or more lanes travel in the opposite direction and the bus is stopped in the opposing roadway or – If the bus is stopped in a loading zone that is adjacent to the roadway and people are not allowed to cross the road

School bus safety The majority of children injured or killed ARE NOT ON the bus, but outside the bus. Most are struck by motorists who fail to stop for the flashing red lights and extended stop signs.