New Hampshire · Handbook chapter 10 · 5 min read

Chapter 10: Sharing the road

New Hampshire rules for pedestrians and blind pedestrians, bicyclists and the 3-foot passing rule, motorcycles, slow-moving vehicles and horses, trucks and No-Zones, emergency vehicles, Sherrill's Law, police stops and work zones.

Why this chapter matters

Cars share New Hampshire roads with walkers, cyclists, riders, farm machines, trucks and emergency crews. The test asks about the passing distances, the fire truck rule and what to do when stopped by police.

Pedestrians

Collisions with pedestrians make up nearly 20% of traffic deaths. Be ready to yield to pedestrians at all times.

• Pedestrians have the right-of-way in a crosswalk, on a sidewalk crossing an alley or driveway, and when visually impaired and crossing with a guide animal or a white cane (with a red tip).
• You must come to a complete stop for a person with a white cane or a harnessed guide dog who is trying to cross. Never honk or shout at them.
• Take care near parked cars, when backing, and in school zones; stop if a crossing guard signals.
• Pedestrians should walk on the left, facing traffic, where there is no sidewalk, wear light colors or carry a light at night, and never walk on interstates.

Bicyclists

Bicycles are vehicles on the road, with the same rights and duties as drivers.

• Leave at least 3 feet when passing a cyclist at 30 mph or less, plus 1 more foot for every 10 mph above 30.
• Yield to cyclists at intersections, and where a bike path or lane crosses the road. Do not stop, park or drive in a bike lane except to enter or leave a driveway or alley, on official duty, when police direct you, or in an emergency.
• Let the cyclist clear the intersection before you turn; never turn sharply in front of one.
• Do not honk close to cyclists unless a crash is likely: the noise can make them swerve.
• Check for cyclists before opening a door or backing up. Take extra care when roads are wet or sandy.

Motorcycles

• A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane: never share its lane.
• Motorcycles are only about two feet wide and hide in blind spots; check carefully before a left turn.
• Follow at least four seconds behind.
• Most motorcycle signals do not cancel automatically, so make sure the rider is really turning.
• Riders may slow or move for bad weather, cross winds, rough surfaces and metal or grated bridges.

Slow vehicles and animals

• An orange and red triangle on the back marks a slow-moving vehicle going under 25 mph (farm or construction equipment, animal-drawn vehicles).
• Farm machine operators often cannot hear you; pass only when safe.
• Near horses, slow down, pass with care, and never sound the horn or rev the engine.

Trucks and buses

• Trucks have large No-Zones (blind spots) at the front, sides and rear. If you cannot see the truck driver's face in the side mirror, the driver cannot see you.
• The right-side blind spot runs from behind the cab up to the length of the truck.
• A loaded truck at 55 mph needs at least 335 feet to stop, more than 1 1/2 times a car's distance, so never cut in front of one.
• The rear No-Zone can reach 200 feet.
• Trucks may swing wide to the left to turn right: never squeeze between a turning truck and the curb.
• When meeting a truck, keep to the right. When unsure of an oncoming truck's speed, do not turn left in front of it.

Emergency vehicles

• For an emergency vehicle with siren or flashing lights, from any direction, pull to the right and stop until it passes, without blocking an intersection. Signal before pulling back out.
• Do not follow a fire truck answering an alarm closer than 500 feet, and do not drive or park in the block where it has stopped.
• Sherrill's Law (RSA 265:37-a): approaching a crash, fire, roadwork, police stop or any stopped vehicle showing warning lights, flares or cones, slow down, give a wide berth or move to a lane not next to it when safe, obey anyone directing traffic, and leave any blocked lane as soon as possible.

Police stops

• Pull over, stop and put the car in park. Stay inside unless asked to get out.
• Turn off the engine, turn on the hazard flashers, and at night turn on the interior lights.
• Keep calm, keep your belt on, keep your hands on the wheel and tell the officer where your documents are before reaching for them slowly.
• An unmarked car should have its blue lights on; ask a plain-clothes officer for identification.

Work zones

• Slow down even if no lower speed is posted; keep more following distance and be ready to stop.
• Take extra care at night, whether or not workers are there.
• Do not resume normal speed until you see the END ROAD WORK sign.