As a driver, you must learn to safely share the road with a variety of other users. These include, but are not limited to: large vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skat- ers, roller skaters, skateboarders, slow moving vehicles, non-motorized scooters and horseback riders. You should know how to safely manage the problems they can present and understand the special rules they must obey. 

## PEDESTRIANS AND SKATEBOARDERS 

Pedestrians and skateboarders are at high risk in traffic. The law requires you to be extra careful to avoid a collision with them. 

Look out for children, near schools, bus stops, playgrounds, parks and ice cream trucks. 

When you back up your car or truck, look through your back window for pedestrians. Do not rely only on mirrors when children are near. Before you back into a driveway, or out of it, get out of the vehicle and check behind your vehicle. 

Pedestrians are supposed to walk on the side of the road and face the traffic in the lane nearest them. When you make a right turn, watch for those pedestrians on your right. When you make a left turn, watch for pedestrians on the other side of the road on your left. 

Pedestrians and skateboarders who are legally crossing the road or street at marked or un- marked crossings, like at an intersection, always have the right-of-way. You must decrease your speed or, if necessary, come to a complete stop. Elderly and disabled pedestrians can require additional time to complete their crossings. 

A special right-of-way law allows blind pedes- trians to go across the road with a guide dog or a white or metal cane. You must always give them the right-of-way when they are trying to cross at a marked or unmarked crosswalk even if the traffic signals or other right-of-way rules are not in their favor. 

## CHAPTER 11 /SHARING THE ROAD 

Remember to move your eyes as you drive. Look to either side every few seconds to help you spot pedestrians near or approaching the roadway. 

The law requires pedestrians and skateboarders to: 

• Obey traffic and pedestrian signals, traffic officers and official signs. 

• Use the sidewalk when available or face traf- fic as they walk, as far from the near traffic lane as possible. 

• Never stand in the road to hitchhike or conduct business with motorists. 

## BICYCLISTS AND IN-LINE SKATERS 

Bicyclists and in-line skaters have the right to share the road and travel in the same direction as motor vehicles. They are often hard to see in traffic and have no protection from a traffic crash. Check your “blind spots” before you make a turn, parallel park, open a door or leave a curb. Do not depend only on your mirrors – turn your head to look for bicyclists, skaters and scooter operators that may be next to you or approaching. 

Give bicyclists and in-line skaters room when you drive. Reduce speed as you pass them. Air pressure from a vehicle that passes them quickly can send them off balance. 

Be aware that the bicyclist or in-line skater near or in front of you can react to road hazards with sudden changes of speed, direction or lane position. 

The rules of the road and right-of-way apply to and protect these and other highway users. You must yield the right-of-way to them just as you would to another vehicle. And they must obey the rules of the road just as motor vehicle drivers do. 

