Washington · Handbook chapter 6 · 6 min read

Chapter 6: Sharing the road

Washington rules for sharing the road: pedestrians and service animals, school buses on two-lane and multilane roads, transit buses, large trucks, snowplows, motorcycles, bicyclists and the 3-foot rule, trains and light rail, farm vehicles and emergency vehicles.

Why this chapter matters

Washington roads carry people walking, rolling and riding as well as cars, trucks, buses and trains. The test asks who has the right-of-way, how much space to give, and exactly when you must stop for a school bus.

Pedestrians

Always yield to pedestrians. People walking and cycling have the right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections, marked or not.

• Wait until a pedestrian has cleared your lane and one more lane before you go.
• For someone crossing with a wheelchair, a cane, a guide dog or another service animal, stay stopped until they reach the far side of the street.
• Never drive into oncoming traffic to get around someone.
• Watch for people who cannot see you, who are distracted (children, delivery and road workers, people on phones) or who seem lost.
• It is unlawful to interfere with a service animal. Do not honk: it can confuse or frighten the animal or its handler.

School buses

School bus lights work like signals: red means stop, yellow means caution and slow down. Fines are doubled for passing a stopped school bus.

• When the red lights flash and the stop sign is out, every driver behind the bus must stop. You may not pass in a center turn lane; drivers in turn lanes must stop too.
• Go again only when the lights stop flashing, the sign folds back and the metal arm returns to the front bumper. Keep watching for children.

Transit buses

Yield to a transit bus traveling your way that has signaled and is pulling back into the road.

Large vehicles

• Trucks and buses have large blind zones on each side. If you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you. Do not ride alongside for long.
• A loaded truck at 55 mph needs about 450 feet to stop. Do not cut in front of one.
• Before you pull in ahead of a large vehicle, wait until you can see both of its headlights in your rearview mirror.
• Large vehicles may need more than one lane to turn and two lanes in a roundabout. Never pass one while it is turning.
• Expect slow trucks in the right lane on long, steep grades, and keep away from vehicles carrying hazardous materials where you can.
• Snowplows throw snow off the road and can cause blizzard-like conditions for anyone following closely.

Motorcycles

• Motorcyclists have the same rights and duties as other drivers and are entitled to a full lane. Never share a lane with one, even if it is riding to one side.
• Leave a large following distance, and more on wet or slick roads.
• They are easy to miss in blind zones. Before turning, look left, right, then left again. Looking twice can save a life.
• Riders may change position to avoid gravel, potholes, seams or manhole covers.
• A rider may slow by easing off the throttle, so you may see no brake light. Some motorcycle signals do not cancel themselves.

Bicyclists

• Bicyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers and may use the full lane. You cannot share a lane with one.
• When following a bicycle, leave at least 3 feet.
• To pass, wait until it is safe. Move over a full lane if there are two lanes your way; on a two-lane road, use the other lane only when no traffic is coming. Leave at least 3 feet between the bicycle and the widest part of your vehicle, and never cross into oncoming traffic.
• Do not pass a bicyclist just before you turn right; let them clear the intersection first.
• A bicyclist in a crosswalk is treated as a pedestrian.
• Bike lanes are often green, with solid white lines and a bicycle symbol. Enter one only to turn or to reach the curb to park. Look carefully for bicycles before you open your door.

Trains

Trains always have the right-of-way. A train can need up to a mile to stop.

Stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail when:

• The signal is flashing or the gate is coming down or down.
• A flagger signals you to stop, or a stop sign is posted.
• A train is close enough to be a hazard, or you hear its horn.

When lights flash and bells ring you must stop whether or not the gate is down, and never drive around a gate. Do not stop on the tracks; if your car gets stuck on them, get everyone out at once. To report a problem at a crossing, call the number on the blue and white Emergency Notification System sign and give the crossing ID number, or dial 911 if there is no sign.

Near light rail, watch the signs and markings, leave at least one car length between you and the train, and never stop or park on the tracks.

Farm vehicles

Farm vehicles built for 25 mph or less carry a triangle emblem on the back. Slow down, be patient, and when you pass leave at least 3 feet.

Emergency vehicles

An ambulance, fire truck or police car running its lights or siren goes first every time. The moment you notice one, move to the right edge and stop. Wait until they pass, then signal and rejoin traffic in the order you were in.