Sharing the Road with Other Vehicles Flashcards
Ambulances, police vehicles, fire vehicles, and rescue vehicles are permitted to display a red flashing light and drivers must obey the following rules:
•Yield the right-of-way to that vehicle.
•Always listen for sirens on these vehicles and yield the right-of-way. The siren is usually heard before the emergency vehicle is in view.
•Slow down, pull to the right of the road, and stop until the emergency vehicle passes.
When you see a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights you must slow down and move into a lane that is not adjacent to the emergency vehicle, if it is possible to do so safely. If it is not possible to do so safely, you must slow down and proceed with caution.
Privately-owned vehicles with flashing blue lights are used by volunteer firefighters responding to an alarm. You must yield the right-of-way to these vehicles.
Privately-owned vehicles with flashing green lights are used by certified emergency medical technicians responding to emergencies. You must yield the
right-of-way to these vehicles.
Emergency Vehicles
Buses that transport students to or from school must meet the following requirements:
- Be painted chrome-yellow and display
the words “School Bus” on the front and
rear of the vehicle in black letters, at least eight inches high. - Display two amber lights in front and
rear to warn drivers that the bus is
slowing down to stop to load or unload
students, and two red lights in front and
rear to indicate that the bus is stopped to load or unload students. - Be equipped with amber turn signals.
- Be equipped with a stop arm which
extends at least 18 inches from the
side of the bus body and with a red
octagonal stop sign with white letters
to be extended while the bus is stopped
on the roadway for the purpose of
loading or unloading students.
A school bus driver must load and unload students as close to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway as practical.
School Buses
part 1
School buses are equipped with both yellow and red flashing lights. When the school bus driver activates the yellow lights, he/sheis warning other drivers
that the bus is slowing and is going to load or unload children. Once the bus stops, the red lights and stop arm will be activated.
You must stop when you approach a school bus with flashing red lights activated and stop arm extended. If you are driving on a highway that is divided
by a barrier or unimproved median, you are required to stop only if you are traveling in the same direction as the school bus. You do not have to stop if
you and a school bus are traveling in opposite directions on a road that has more than two lanes and is separated by a median strip not for vehicle travel.
Disregarding a school bus stop arm can be considered reckless driving, a Class B Misdemeanor which is punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a
maximum fine of $1,000.
School authorities may give permission, in writing, for a school bus to be used in transporting students for certain non-school functions as prescribed by law.
A special purpose bus can be registered by public school corporations and private schools for transportation of students to extracurricular events. If a
van, station wagon, or bus is transporting six or more people to extracurricular events, it must have a body change to Special Purpose and must be inspected
by the Indiana State Police.
School Buses
part 2
Motorcycle riders have the same rights and privileges as other drivers. Allow a motorcycle rider a full lane width. Although it may seem as though there is
enough room in the traffic lane for an automobile and a motorcycle, remember the motorcycle needs room to maneuver safely.
The smaller profile of motorcycles can make it more difficult to judge the speed and distance of an approaching motorcycle. Motorcycles can be hidden
in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look. Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking your mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections. Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows the motorcyclist to
anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.
Do not be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle. Motorcycle signals usually are not self-canceling, and riders sometimes forget to turn them
off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.
Road conditions, which are minor annoyances to drivers of larger vehicles, pose major hazards to motorcyclists. Motorcyclists may change speed or adjust their position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions, such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad
crossings, and grooved pavement. Allow at least three or four seconds when following a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or
stop in an emergency.
Motorcycles
Drivers must routinely share the roadway with bicycles. On most roadways, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other roadway users.
- Drivers may pass a bicyclist only when there is a safe amount of room beside the bicyclist (3 foot minimum) and when there is no danger from oncoming traffic.
- Drivers must yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist just as they would to another vehicle.
- Bicyclists are prohibited on limited-access highways, expressways and
certain other marked roadways. - A bicyclist is not required to ride in a designated bike lane. Bicyclists have
the right to use either the bike lane or the travel lane.
Avoid turning across the path of a bicyclist.
- When a motorist is turning left and there is a bicyclist entering the intersection
from the opposite direction, the driver should wait for the bicyclist to pass
before making the turn. Also, if a motorist is sharing the left turn lane with
a bicyclist, stay behind the cyclist until he/she has safely completed the left turn. - If a motorist is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let
the bicyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn.
After parking and before opening vehicle doors, a motorist should first check for bicyclists.
Bicycles
Bicycle paths and lanes shall be used exclusively for the operation of bicycles unless:
- Signage specifies joint use with pedestrians.
- The driver is on official duty, such as delivering mail.
- The person is operating a moped with human muscular power.
Other rules for drivers or operators of any vehicle include:
- Do not drive in or park in bicycle paths or lanes, or place the vehicle in
such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such path or lane. - Yield the right-of-way to an individual operating a bicycle on a designated
bicycle path or lane. - Do not move into a bicycle path or lane in preparation for a turn.
- Cross a bicycle path or lane only when turning or when entering or leaving
an alley, driveway or private road.
Bicycle Lanes
Sharrow markings are pavement markings of a bike
with two arrows above it and are intended to help bicyclists position themselves away from parked cars and to alert other road users to expect bicyclists to occupy travel lanes.
Sharrows
Certain slow moving farm vehicles, construction equipment and vehicles drawn by animals may share roadways. You should use care when approaching and passing these vehicles. Be alert for the special emblem that the driver must place on the rear of the slow moving vehicle.
A rider of a horse or a horse-drawn vehicle has the same rights and responsibilities of a motor vehicle driver when riding on a public highway. Approach a rider with caution and be alert for any hand signals used by a horseback rider or the driver of a horse-drawn vehicle.
Slow Moving Vehicle
When you see a stationary utility vehicle you must slow down and move into a lane that is not adjacent to the utility vehicle if it is possible to do so safely. If it is not possible to do so safely, you must slow down and proceed with caution.
Stationary Utility Vehicles
Because of special events, traffic congestion or other reasons, a law enforcement officer may direct traffic at an intersection. A police officer’s command may be different from a traffic signal or sign. In such a case, the
traffic officer’s command is the one that must be obeyed.
Official processions, such as a funeral procession, have the right of way regardless of a traffic signal that indicates otherwise.
Traffic Control Officers and Official Processions
