Sharing the Road: Pedestrians, Cyclists, Motorcyclists, School Buses, Emergency Vehicles
Every other road user is more vulnerable than you are, and the exam tests whether you know who has priority.
Pedestrians
Yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, marked or unmarked. Slow down and be ready to stop when approaching one. A pedestrian using a white cane or a guide dog is blind - stop well back, do not honk, and let them pass completely. When turning, look for pedestrians crossing the street you are turning into, not just the one you are leaving.
Cyclists
A bicycle is a vehicle with the same road rights and duties. Give plenty of clearance when passing - at least three feet where conditions allow - and never squeeze a cyclist against the curb. Check for cyclists before opening a car door into traffic.
Motorcyclists
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; never share a lane with one. Their smaller profile makes speed and distance hard to judge, so give extra following space and look twice before turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
School buses
When a school bus has flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, traffic in both directions must stop and stay stopped until the lights go off, unless the road is divided by a physical median and you are on the opposite side. Flashing yellow lights mean the bus is about to stop - slow down.
Emergency vehicles
When an emergency vehicle approaches with siren and lights, pull to the right edge and stop; never stop in an intersection, and never follow closer than about 500 feet.
Large trucks
Trucks have huge blind spots on both sides and directly behind, and they swing wide before a right turn - never try to pass on the right.
Rule of thumb: whenever someone smaller or slower is nearby, the safest answer is to slow down and give room.