Sharing the Road

• A pedestrian in an urban area may signal that they want to cross by raising an arm at a right angle and pointing to the other curb. You must stop before the crosswalk and let them cross.
• Once a pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, you must yield.
• Stop about 2–3 car lengths back, so drivers in other lanes can see the pedestrian.
• Never pass a vehicle as you approach a crosswalk. It may be stopping for someone you can't see.
• At a flashing yellow pedestrian light, slow to 30 km/h and yield.
• Watch for children near parked cars. Look under parked vehicles for feet and bicycle wheels.
• Be patient with people using a white cane or guide dog.

Driver's Guide p. 97

• A bicycle being ridden is a vehicle, and its rider follows the same rules. A person walking a bicycle is a pedestrian.
• Cyclists ride near the right curb, but may move out to avoid grates, potholes, or gravel.
• To pass a cyclist, change lanes, as you would for a car.
• Before turning right, shoulder check right for cyclists beside you.
• Before opening your door, check for cyclists. That's the driver's responsibility.
• Don't follow too closely. Bicycles have no brake lights.
• Riders and passengers under 18 must wear a bicycle helmet.

Driver's Guide pp. 97–98

• Riders often use the left part of their lane to be more visible. It doesn't mean they're turning left.
• Never share a lane with a motorcycle. It needs the whole lane.
• Leave extra following distance, because motorcycles can stop very quickly.
• When turning left, look carefully for oncoming motorcycles. They're hard to see, and their speed is hard to judge.
• A rider's shoulder check is a clue they may change lanes or turn.

Driver's Guide pp. 98–99

• Blind spots are huge. If you can't see a truck's side mirrors, you're too close. If you can see the driver in the mirror, they can see you.
• Don't cut in front of a large vehicle, especially near a traffic light. It needs much more room to stop. After passing one, leave extra room before moving back in front.
• Don't squeeze in on the right of a truck turning right. It needs extra room and may swing wide.
• If a truck is turning onto your road, stop back from the intersection. It may need part of your lane.
• On a hill, leave room in front of you, because a truck may roll back when starting.
• Passing takes longer than you think. Be sure you have room.
• Use caution with oversized loads. They often travel slowly and will pull over to let traffic pass.

Driver's Guide pp. 99–100

Never pass a log hauling truck that is turning left or right off the highway.

The logs can extend up to 9 metres past the back of the truck. When the truck turns, they swing out and can block some or all lanes of the highway, creating a danger zone.

Driver's Guide p. 100

Stay stopped until the red lights turn off and the stop arm is pulled back. Failing to stop for a school bus costs 6 demerit points.

Driver's Guide pp. 101–102, 109

• Snowplows use flashing amber and red lights: "amber and red means snowplow ahead."
• Stay well back. Plows throw up snow clouds and sand.
• Passing is prohibited when you can't see along the side of the plow, when passing would interfere with it, or when it can't be done safely.
• Plows pull over every 5–8 km to let traffic pass, so it's safer to wait.
• When a plow is coming toward you, watch for vehicles passing it in your lane.

Driver's Guide p. 102

Never race a train. A train can take a kilometre or more to stop.

• Advance warning sign (yellow, with a railway symbol): slow down, look, and listen. The speed tab is the recommended crossing speed.
• Crossing sign (crossbuck): yield to trains. You must stop if a train is visible or sounding a signal within 500 m.
• Stop sign at a crossing: stop between 5 and 15 m from the nearest rail.
• Flashing lights and bells: stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail, and wait until they stop.
• Gates: never drive around them, even after a train has passed. Another may be coming.
• Don't shift gears on the tracks, and don't start across unless you can clear it.
• Stalled on the tracks? Get everyone out and away. Move toward the approaching train, away from the tracks, to avoid flying debris.
• LRT trains are very quiet and can take up to 100 m to stop.
• Buses and vehicles carrying dangerous goods may be required to stop at crossings, so be ready.

Driver's Guide pp. 103–105

• Don't drive through a funeral procession. Yield until it has passed.
• Drivers in the procession, with headlights on, may continue through stop signs and red lights when closely following the vehicle ahead and it's safe.
• Watch for ATVs and snowmobiles near or crossing the highway.

Driver's Guide p. 105