Virginia · Handbook chapter 7 · 4 min read

Chapter 7: Sharing the road

Sharing Virginia roads with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, light rail, low speed vehicles, trucks, buses and RVs, and towing a light to medium trailer.

Why this chapter matters

Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists have no protection in a crash, and large vehicles have blind spots big enough to hide a car. Virginia makes it illegal to drive distracted and carelessly around these vulnerable road users, and it is your job to adjust for other people's mistakes.

Pedestrians

• Be careful near schools, playgrounds and homes where people play or cross.
• Pedestrians have the right-of-way when you turn; let them finish crossing before you start.
• Passing at a crosswalk is illegal: a stopped car can hide someone crossing.
• Stay stopped until pedestrians have passed your lane.
• Come to a full stop for a person using a white cane or guide dog.
• You must fully stop for pedestrians lawfully crossing. Failing to do so and causing serious injury or death can be a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Bicycles

• A bicyclist generally has the same right-of-way as a driver and may use the center of the lane when turning left or when the lane is too narrow to share.
• Bicycles may ride on all public roads except interstates and most freeways. Watch for riders going either way on sidewalks, paths and two-way bike lanes.
• Pass with at least three feet of clearance. If the lane is too narrow for that, change lanes to pass. Motor vehicles may not use a marked bike lane, even to pass.
• Look for bicyclists before you open your door, pull away from the curb, change lanes, turn, reverse or cross an intersection.

Motorcycles

More than half of fatal motorcycle crashes involve cars, often because the driver did not see the motorcycle.

• Look twice, especially before pulling out: a motorcycle's size makes its speed and distance hard to judge.
• Add an extra second of following distance, and double it in bad weather.
• A rider may use the whole lane and move suddenly to avoid debris. Never share a lane with a motorcycle.

Light rail and low speed vehicles

• The Tide light rail in Norfolk crosses roads at 27 places along 7.4 miles. Never drive around lowered gates, expect a train on any track at any time, and never stop, pass or shift gears on the tracks.
• Low speed vehicles top out at 21 to 25 MPH and may use roads with limits of 35 MPH or less. They need registration and insurance like a car. Golf carts are not low speed vehicles.

Trucks, buses and RVs: the No-Zones

Large vehicles speed up slowly, need more room to stop and turn, and have big blind spots called No-Zones.

• Side: much larger than a car's. If you cannot see the driver's face in their side mirror, they cannot see you.
• Rear: they cannot see you directly behind, and you cannot see past them. Keep a safe following distance.
• Front: cutting in too soon after passing can get you rear-ended. These vehicles need nearly twice the time and room to stop. Wait until you see the whole front of the truck in your rearview mirror before moving over, then keep your speed.
• Wide turns: they swing wide; blind spots can reach 20 feet ahead of the cab and about 200 feet behind. Never squeeze between a truck and the curb.

A truck and trailer can be 65 feet long, and passing one may take more than half a mile of clear road.

Towing a light to medium trailer

A trailer makes your vehicle take twice as long to pass, stop, speed up and turn. Before each trip check the hitch pin, coupler, safety chains, electrical plug and all lights. Practice in an empty lot first.

• Allow for the trailer's length when changing lanes.
• If the trailer starts to sway, slow down.
• To back up, put your hand at the bottom of the wheel: move it left to send the trailer left, right to send it right. Use a spotter if you cannot see.