Sharing the Road with Other Users
The vulnerable around you
Motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, large trucks, and school buses each demand a different mental model. Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; never share a lane with one, and give extra following distance because their braking and visibility differ from a car's. Check mirrors and blind spots twice before changing lanes - motorcycles are narrow and easily hidden.
Bicycles are vehicles: they belong on the road, must follow traffic laws, and often need at least three feet of passing clearance (more at higher speeds, per local law). Do not honk aggressively; pass only when you can see far enough ahead.
Pedestrians are the priority at crosswalks, and children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need more time. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk - it may be yielding to someone you cannot see.
Large trucks have long stopping distances, wide right turns, and large blind spots (the "No-Zone"). Never linger alongside a truck; pass quickly and do not cut in front, because a loaded truck may need the length of a football field to stop.
Trap: the "passing a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk" scenario appears frequently - the correct answer is to stop and check, not to proceed. Another trap is squeezing past a cyclist when the lane is narrow; wait instead.
Rule of thumb: if you cannot see the truck driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.