Wyoming · Handbook chapter 8 · 3 min read

Chapter 8: Sharing the road and crashes

Vehicle equipment and tires, motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles, slow-moving vehicles, heavy trucks and No-Zones, wildlife, and what to do after a crash in Wyoming.

Why this chapter matters

Wyoming roads carry trucks, farm equipment, bicyclists and abundant wildlife. Knowing how each behaves keeps everyone safe.

Your vehicle

A police officer may stop you to inspect your equipment: brakes, lights, horn, mirrors, wipers, tires, belts and exhaust must work. Check tire pressure against the door-jamb sticker and use the penny test: if part of Lincoln's head is covered by tread, the depth is safe.

Motorcycles

• Riders are hard to see and hard to judge for speed. Left turns in front of oncoming motorcycles cause many crashes; look twice.
• Motorcycle signals often do not cancel themselves.
• A motorcycle gets the full lane; driving beside one in the same lane is illegal. No more than two motorcycles may ride abreast.

Pedestrians and bicycles

• Pedestrians are nearly 20 percent of traffic deaths. Yield in any crosswalk, marked or not.
• Bicyclists may use all public roads and ride as far right as practical. Driving beside one in the same lane is legal but unsafe; leave plenty of room and at least 3 feet when passing.
• Bikes after dark need a front light and rear reflectors.

Slow vehicles and trucks

• The orange triangle means the vehicle cannot go faster than 25 mph.
• Most fatal crashes between trucks and other vehicles are caused by the passenger vehicle.
• Trucks have large No-Zones behind and on both sides. Avoid the right-turn squeeze and do not linger beside a truck when passing.
• Do not cut back in front of a truck near a work zone; it may not be able to stop.

Wildlife

Collisions peak in fall and spring migrations and at dusk and dawn.

• Slow down in deer-crossing areas, scan the roadside and use high beams when you can.
• Watch for eyes reflecting your lights. If you see an animal, slow, tap your brakes and sound your horn; flashing your lights may freeze it.
• If a crash is unavoidable, do not swerve: brake and stay on the road. Report the crash.

After a crash

• Stop and stay until police have questioned everyone.
• Give aid and call an ambulance; do not move the injured unless another crash threatens.
• Warn traffic, and record names, addresses, license numbers, vehicles, plates and insurance.
• Call police for any injury, death or $1,000 in damage.
• For an unattended vehicle, leave a note with your details and contact the nearest police.