Georgia · Handbook chapter 8 · 4 min read

Chapter 8: Sharing the road

Georgia rules for pedestrians and crosswalks, blind pedestrians, passing bicyclists, motorcycles, school buses and large trucks, including the No-Zones.

Why this chapter matters

Pedestrians make up almost 15 percent of Georgia's traffic deaths. The Road Rules test checks that you know when to stop for people on foot and how much room to give bicycles, motorcycles and trucks.

Pedestrians

You must stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk:

• when they are on your half of the road, or within one lane of your half ("half" means all lanes going your way);
• when you are turning left or right at an intersection;
• at STOP signs, after your full stop;
• at signals, even on green, if people are still crossing;
• when entering a road from an alley, driveway or private road;
• when a blind person with a white cane or guide dog is crossing. Blind pedestrians have the right-of-way at all times.

Crosswalks exist at every corner of an intersection, marked or not, and mid-block where painted.

• Stop before the crosswalk at red lights and STOP signs, and do not block it while waiting to turn right on red. Look right for pedestrians before you go.
• Where there are several lanes, stop 10 feet or more back from the crosswalk so drivers beside you can see the person crossing. Be very careful passing stopped cars.
• At driveways and garages, stop before the sidewalk.
• At 40 mph, a pedestrian who is hit has at least an 80 percent risk of death.

Bicycles

Bicycles may use every road except interstates and limited-access highways, and may use the full lane; they do not have to use a bike lane. Yield to them as you would to a car.

When passing a bicycle, either:

• move to a lane not next to the bicycle; or
• if you cannot, slow to at least 10 mph below the limit or 25 mph, whichever is more, and pass with at least 3 feet of space.

A violation is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $250. Dim your lights for oncoming bicyclists at night, never drive or park in a bike lane, and watch for riders who swerve to avoid road hazards. Bicyclists signal turns with their arms.

Motorcycles

• A motorcycle is entitled to the full width of a lane. Never share it, and pass only in the next lane.
• Motorcycles look farther away and slower than they are. Look twice at intersections, where most car-motorcycle crashes happen.
• A motorcycle's turn signal may not cancel itself; wait until the rider actually turns.
• Follow three or four seconds behind. Motorcycles can stop faster than cars on dry roads.
• When a motorcycle passes you, keep your lane position and speed.

School buses

All drivers must stop for a school bus with flashing lights that is loading or unloading, except on highways divided by a median, where only traffic going the same way as the bus must stop. Stay stopped until the bus moves or turns off its signals and passengers are clear.

Large trucks and buses

• A loaded tractor-trailer at 55 mph needs about three times a car's stopping distance and much more room to turn.
• Side No-Zones: if you cannot see the driver's face in their side mirror, they cannot see you. The right side is the most dangerous because of wide right turns.
• Rear No-Zone: trucks have no rear-view mirror; stay well back.
• Front No-Zone: do not cut in front. Pull in only when you can see the whole front of the truck in your rear-view mirror.
• Allow about one car length for every 10 mph. Do not tailgate or speed near trucks.