Crossing Guard, Green Light, and a Bicyclist in a School Zone
You are driving east on a two-lane collector street near an elementary school in Norman at 3:10 p.m. A fluorescent yellow-green pentagon school sign and a 20 mph SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT sign with a flashing beacon are present; the beacon is flashing. A crossing guard in an orange vest steps into the crosswalk holding a STOP paddle. Your light is green, and a bicyclist in a marked bike lane to your right is proceeding straight. You plan to turn right at the next intersection, 100 feet ahead. The crosswalk is before the intersection. A driver behind you is close and has already edged forward. You need to decide the order of actions: respond to the guard, respect the bicyclist, and keep the crosswalk clear.
1. The crossing guard steps into the crosswalk with a STOP paddle while your light is green. What takes precedence, and where should you stop?
Read the worked answer
The crossing guard's STOP paddle takes precedence over your green light. A green light authorizes you to proceed only if the intersection and crosswalk are clear; it does not override a guard directing traffic in the crosswalk. Stop before the crosswalk, not on it, and wait until the guard and children have cleared your path. The flashing school-zone beacon means the 20 mph school speed limit is active, so approach slowly enough to stop. The driver behind you edging forward does not change your duty. Keep the crosswalk clear even after the guard lowers the paddle, and do not start your right turn until the crosswalk and your turn path are clear.
2. The bicyclist in the bike lane is going straight as you plan a right turn 100 feet ahead. Who has the right of way, and how should you set up the turn?
Read the worked answer
The bicyclist in the marked bike lane is proceeding straight, so the bicyclist has the right of way over your right turn. Signal your turn early, check your mirror and right shoulder, and do not turn across the bicyclist's path. If the bike lane is dashed or ends near the intersection, you may merge into it only after yielding and only if it is clear; a marked lane does not give you permission to cut off the rider. Because you are turning 100 feet ahead, set up early and avoid a sudden turn from behind the rider. Wait for the bicyclist to clear the intersection or for a safe gap before completing the turn.
3. How do the crosswalk, stop line, and green signal interact while the guard is present?
Read the worked answer
The crosswalk is before the intersection, so your stop point is the stop line or the crosswalk edge, not the traffic signal. Stop short of the crosswalk when the guard is present, and keep the crosswalk clear even if your light is green. After the guard clears, check again for children, the bicyclist, and oncoming traffic before turning. Do not block the crosswalk while waiting for a gap. The close driver behind you is a reason to brake smoothly and early, not to roll into the crosswalk. The sequence is: stop for the guard, keep the crosswalk clear, yield to the bicyclist, then turn when the path is clear.