6b – Bicycle and Pedestrian Laws
BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN LAWS
The number of people using bicycles for transportation and recreation is increasing. Cyclists must obey the same rules and regulations as other types of vehicles. The safe interaction between bicyclists and motorists is the responsibility of both parties.
• Cyclists may ride in a traffic lane, staying as far to the right as practicable unless preparing to turn or overtake another vehicle.
• Cyclists must obey all traffic signs and signals. If a cyclist chooses to cross an intersection in a crosswalk, he should dismount and cross as a pedestrian.
YOU MUST KNOW THIS: BEWARE!
The following hand signals
are the first thing a DMV inspector will ask YOU
before passing your driving test!
Bicyclists must use hand signals to let others know what they plan to do. The operator is required to give a hand signal one time unless the bike is in a designated turn lane or if the safe operation requires the rider to keep both hands on the bicycle.
Cyclists use their left hand because cars pass them from the left.
EVERY DRIVER MUST KNOW THEM AND USE THEM IN CASE THEIR OWN CAR BLINKER DOES NOT WORK.
THE DMV INSPECTOR WILL ASK YOU FOR THOSE.
A cyclist may use his left or right arm to signal a right turn.
(A car driver cannot because his/her arm is not long enough (LOL). But even if it was, it would not be seen from behind.)
At intersections, motorists must yield to cyclists as they would for other vehicles and pedestrians.
• When passing a cyclist, a motorist must move into the lane to the left if more than one lane for traffic in the same direction exists and doing so is reasonably safe.
• If an adjacent lane does not exist, pass to the left of the bicycle at a safe distance (which must be no less than 3 feet). The motorist may not move back to the right until the vehicle is safely clear of the bicycle.
• Motorists must yield the right-of-way to a cyclist on a bicycle path or in a bike lane.
• Motorists may not stop, park or drive on a designated bicycle path or lane unless they are entering or leaving an alley or driveway, performing official duties, are directed by a police officer or an emergency exists.
• Inexperienced riders, especially children, require special courtesy and care. They may not always follow traffic rules. Be especially careful around these riders and expect the unexpected.
Cyclists Should…
Obey the law • Wear a helmet • Wear brightly colored clothing • Keep bikes in good repair
Cyclists Should Not…
Ride on the wrong side of the road • Wear a headset (headphones, cellular phone earpiece, etc.) when riding
• Ride at night without required lights and reflectors. Remember: motorists and cyclists have an equal right to use our roadways and need to be mutually courteous and cooperative.
Yield to bicycles
Sharing the road safely is the responsibility of everyone involved. Nevada law outlines specific rights and responsibilities for motorists, bicycles, and pedestrians. Motorists who cause even a minor collision with a bicycle or pedestrian or who intentionally interfere with the movement of a bicycle may be charged with reckless driving. Penalties include a driver’s license suspension. Bicyclists may not intentionally interfere with the movement of a motor vehicle.
School Zones
- When approaching a school zone, note whether you must slow down (lights are flashing or you are within the posted times).
- Slow to the posted speed before you enter the school zone and maintain that speed until after the end.
- Watch for children between parked cars and around buses.
- You must yield to children in crosswalks and obey the directions of any crossing guard.
- You must wait for all persons, including the guard, to completely clear the crosswalk before proceeding.
- Every intersection where two streets meet is a legal crosswalk, whether or not it is marked.
- Stop well back from a crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop.
- Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. They are stopped to allow pedestrians to cross the street.
- Remain stopped until pedestrians have crossed all the lanes in the direction you are traveling, or they reach the median.
Passing a Stopped School Bus Displaying Red Lights
- First offense – fine of $250 to $500.
- A second offense within one year – Fine of $250 to $500 and a six-month driver’s license suspension.
- A third offense within two years – A maximum fine of $1,000 and a one-year driver’s license suspension.
Crosswalks
A crosswalk exists at any intersection, whether there are pavement markings or not. (NRS 484A.065)
Drivers:
- Must exercise due care to avoid a collision with a pedestrian at all times (NRS 484B.280),
- Must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks (NRS 484B.283),
- Must yield at all times to a blind person using a white cane or service animal (NRS 484B.290),
- Must stop or slow down before passing another vehicle stopped in a travel lane until the driver has determined whether that vehicle has stopped for a pedestrian. (NRS 484B.283)
- Must, in the presence of a school crossing guard, wait for all persons including the guard to completely clear the road before proceeding (NRS 484B.350).
Yield to Pedestrians
You must always yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians in an intersection, even if you are facing a green light.
Never assume pedestrians see you or will stop for you. Many think because they have the right-of-way they may safely cross and do not even look at what is coming. Be particularly cautious when passing a stopped bus as a pedestrian may suddenly cross in front of you either getting off the bus or chasing after it. Be also cautious if a vehicle ahead of you has stopped for no apparent reason at an intersection or crosswalk (marked or unmarked). They may have stopped for a pedestrian crossing the road. This also means slowing down when you approach a crosswalk and yielding the right-of-way when necessary to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
Drive safely around kids!
What does good sense say:
As a pedestrian, you must not place a motorist in a position which makes it impossible to avoid a collision. You must not assume a car will stop for you, especially on a slippery road. Wait for the car to stop before crossing, you may have the right-of-way but you will lose in case of an accident. As a motorist, you must watch for pedestrians on streets and highways. You should be especially careful when children are present. You are required to exercise due care to avoid a collision with a pedestrian. Motorists who cause even a minor collision with a pedestrian may be charged with reckless driving.
What the law says:
Drivers must exercise proper caution upon observing a pedestrian on or near a highway, street or road, within or near a school zone or within a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
Pedestrians have the right-of-way when crossing at an intersection. Drivers are obligated to yield to pedestrians who are attempting to cross the road.
• It is illegal for motorists to overtake any vehicle that is slowing down or stopped until the motorist slows down enough to determine why the other vehicle has slowed or stopped.
• Be particularly aware and careful of pedestrians at intersections. Watch for pedestrians at stop signs, traffic signals and around transit stops.
• A crosswalk exists anywhere two streets intersect, even at a “T” intersection.
A crosswalk exists even if it is not painted or marked
When a traffic signal turns green, drivers must yield to persons who are still crossing the street. Pedestrians have the right of way over motorists making a right-hand turn.
• If there is a sidewalk, pedestrians should use it. If there is no sidewalk, pedestrians should walk on the side of the road facing the traffic.
• Vehicles yielding to a pedestrian should wait until the pedestrian has crossed into the lanes going in the other direction before proceeding.
• If a crossing guard is present, motorists must wait until the guard is completely out of the crosswalk before proceeding.
Safe Walking Tips For Pedestrians
• Use crosswalks. If a crosswalk has a signal, obey it.
• A flashing “Don’t Walk” means do not cross. If you are in the intersection when a signal starts, finish crossing the street. Watch for cars coming in the opposite lane or turning left.
• Before crossing, look left, right and left again for oncoming or turning traffic.
Establish eye contact with drivers who slow down or stop to ensure the driver is yielding the right-of-way to you.
• Whenever possible, wear brightly colored clothing when walking to alert drivers of your presence.
• If walking at night, carry a flashlight and use reflective materials to help drivers see you.
Pedestrians must not walk into the path of a vehicle that is so close it cannot stop. They must obey traffic signals and Walk/Don’t Walk signals.
Pedestrians may not cross an intersection diagonally unless the intersection is specifically designed for this.
Yield to Wild Life
Wild Life does not know road rules and regulation, therefore they are unpredictable: yield to Wild Life That goes also for domestic animals.
Anticipate:
You see a running cat crossing the road? That may be because a dog is chasing it.. and the kid may be chasing his dog. You see Salmon crossing the road? (Yes, it happens!) Bears might be in the area too…
Why do fishes have one eye on each side?
– That to be able to see both sides of the road when crossing…:)
Why did the opossum want to cross the double lines?
1) Because he did not read driver’s Ed Topics or…
2) to go to the other side?-
t seems to me we will never know…
Beware!
For some reason, hens or chickens crossing a road, always change their mind and go-back when a car is approaching. Go figure!
Compare to that very smart turkey playing crossing guard below. or dears where the road sign said they could…(LOL)
The Crossing Guard
Try not to laugh!
As a General Rule:
- You must always exercise due care to avoid any type of collision.
- Yield to bicycles and pedestrians at intersections as you would for other vehicles.
- Yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk on your side of the street or to any pedestrian who might be in danger.
- You must move into an adjacent lane to the left when passing a bicycle if a lane of travel in the same direction is available and it is safe. If not, you must pass with at least three feet of clearance.
- In school zones, traffic in both directions must yield and wait for all persons, including any crossing guard, to completely clear the crosswalk.
- Yield at all times to a blind person using a white cane or service animal.
- You must stop or slow down before passing another vehicle stopped in a travel lane until you have determined whether that vehicle is stopped for a pedestrian.
- You may not drive or park in a bicycle lane or path unless you are turning or in an emergency.
Be Especially Cautious:
• When turning at an intersection or driveway, check both ways for cyclists.
• Never speed up to pass a cyclist just before you make a turn.
• When parked on the street, check to your rear for cyclists before you open your car door.
• Check both ways for cyclists when backing out of a driveway or parking lot. If a vehicle is stopped for no apparent reason, you must also stop until you determine it is safe to pass. Motorists must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Pedestrians must yield outside of crosswalks.
• Near buses when they are stopped.
- Bicyclists have the same rights and the same responsibilities as other drivers in Nevada.
- Cyclists are required to ride as far to the right as practicable.
They must obey all traffic signs and signals and use hand signals for turns and stops. Cyclists may not intentionally interfere with the movement of a vehicle. Reflective markings and a front lamp are required for riding at night. Video
End of Topic 6b :” Bicycle & Pedestrian laws”
Next: Topic 6 c “Aggressive Driving”