CHAPTER SIX

Sharing the Road

When you drive on the roads of Nevada, you need to account for other users, such as other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. There are people who act as if they own the road, while others are simply careless. The following are some measures you can take to make the road safer for yourself and other users of the road.

Safe Passing Techniques

Safe passing requires rapid decision-making and good judgment. Passing other vehicles on the road is an often dangerous maneuver. Visibility and vehicle responsiveness, among other things, are essential. The following should be observed:

A. Unsafe Passing

It is unsafe and against the law for any vehicle to pass another vehicle when the view is obstructed within 100 feet of any bridge or tunnel or approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any intersection or railroad grade crossing. You may pass on the right side if the street or highway is clearly marked for two or more lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction, but only when it is safe. Before attempting to pass, be sure to signal, check your mirrors, and look over your shoulder. In no instance should a vehicle be driven off the paved or main roadway. So when can you use the left side of the road to pass?

1. Passing on the left is legal only when there is a broken line on your side of the road or when there is a single white broken line in the middle of a two-lane road.

2. You should use a passing lane to pass another vehicle only when the maneuver is perceived as safe and prudent and can be completed without use of excessive speed. The pass must be completed within a reasonable amount of time, and you cannot exceed the speed limit.

B. Passing on Mountain Roads

Fatal collisions often occur when passing is attempted on a hill or curve. You must not pass when you are approaching the top of a hill or curve on a highway or where your view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction. Additionally, you should not pass another vehicle on a grade unless you are traveling at least 10 mph faster than the overtaken vehicle (without exceeding the speed limit), or unless you can complete the maneuver in a safe distance, usually not greater than 1/4 of a mile.

NOTE: If a vehicle proceeding down a hill were to conflict with a vehicle heading up the hill, the vehicle heading up the hill should be given the right-of-way. It is often safer to back up a hill than to back down.

Remember these passing tips:

Always turn on your signal 100 feet in advance on city streets, or 300 feet ahead on freeways or highways, when beginning and ending the pass.
Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder before you move out of your lane.
Avoid passing on two lane roads, as you will be driving into oncoming traffic.
Check road conditions ahead, because you will need a 10-12 second gap in oncoming traffic to pass safely.
Don't attempt the pass unless you have enough room to return to your lane.
Before you re-enter your lane, make sure you can see both headlights of the car behind you in your rear view mirror to

ensure you have enough room.
Do not pass more than one vehicle at a time.
Never pass to the left of a driver attempting a left turn.

3. When passing is prohibited or especially dangerous...

It is illegal to pass on a freeway if you must enter and then exit from a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane to complete the maneuver.
It is illegal to pass within 100 feet of an intersection.
It is illegal to pass when going up a hill if this means you have to cross double yellow lines.
It is illegal to pass within 100 feet of a railroad grade crossing.
It is illegal to pass a stopped school bus with a flashing red light and stop signal arm.
It is illegal to pass when there is a sign prohibiting the maneuver.
It is dangerous to pass a long line of cars.
It is dangerous to pass when the vehicle ahead is traveling near the speed limit.
It is extremely dangerous to pass when an oncoming car is within 1/2 of a mile.
It is dangerous to pass if the maneuver is started close to a "no passing" zone.

Special Note... If you are being passed, don't insist on taking the right-of-way. Allow the other driver to pass and use common sense.

Pedestrian and Child Safety

A. Responsibilities of the Pedestrian - A green light or a "walk" signal that is facing you gives you the right-of-way. As always, you should never assume that you have the right-of-way. Be sure to look both ways before crossing the street. Before you step out onto the road, make sure all drivers see you and stop for you. A red light or a "don't walk" signal that is facing you tells you not to begin to cross the street. If the "don't walk" signal begins to flash while you are crossing the street, you may finish crossing. You are required by law to cross a road at an intersection or a crosswalk when:

- You are in a business district.
- You are between two intersections with traffic lights.

Otherwise, you may legally cross a street in the middle of the block without a crosswalk. However, you are required to yield the right-of-way to all traffic.

B. Responsibilities of the Driver - You must always yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians in an intersection, even if you are facing a green light. Never assume pedestrians see you or will stop for you.

C. Children - Each year, more than 50,000 children are injured as pedestrians in the United States. Children are at the greatest risk at the beginning and end of the school day, as there are more children on the streets during these times. Most of the injuries are a result of children running out into the street from in between parked cars. Younger children are at the greatest risk. Some of the reasons include:

They cannot judge the speed of moving cars or the distance between themselves and the cars.
They act on impulse without thinking and do not always recognize an unsafe situation.
Their field of vision is not as good as an adult.

Parents should practice safety rules with their children and act as role models. Some tips to follow:

Walk on sidewalks and walk across the street only at designated crosswalks.
Do not run into the street and never from in between parked cars.
If walking at night, do not walk alone, and wear bright clothing or something reflective.
Look left, right, and then left again before crossing the street, and always stop at the curb first before crossing.
Teach your kids to know about the traffic signs and signals, and help them to develop their safety skills.

Drivers should be extra cautious and drive slowly in all residential and school areas. Your children should not rely on drivers to follow the law... they must learn how to be safe pedestrians.

In 2007, there were 4,654 pedestrian fatalities, and children ages 15 and under accounted for 354 of those fatalities.
From 1997 to 2007, the number of pedestrians fatalities for the under 15 age group decreased by 49%.
In 2007, 80% of the young pedestrian fatalities occurred at non-intersection locations. You must be aware of children running into the street, especially in residential, school and park areas.

Trucks

Trucks are powerful and heavy, often weighing four to five times that of a typical car when unloaded. Even though they are often equipped with up to eight mirrors, these vehicles still are involved in many traffic collisions. Motor vehicle operators lack a general respect for trucks, often tailgating them or becoming caught between the truck and the curb. Studies have shown that a tractor-trailer truck traveling at 55 mph will typically need twice the stopping distance of an automobile traveling at the same speed. You must proceed with caution when driving near trucks on the freeway. Give these large vehicles extra clearance whenever possible, and always leave an escape option on the road. A truck's rearview and side mirrors are not always sufficient, so you must be aware of its blind spots at all times. These are located near the right front wheel, within 30 ft. of the rear of the trailer, at the sides (particularly on the right), and immediately in front of the truck. As a result, you should never tailgate, pass to the right, cut in front, or drive parallel to a truck for any length of time.

Truck Statistics:

In 2007, 4,584 large trucks were involved in fatal collisions.
Tractor-semi trailers accounted for more than 60% of the trucks involved in fatal collisions, approximately 26% of the cases involved straight trucks with no trailers.
In 2007, 802 occupants of large trucks were killed in traffic collisions, representing 17% of all truck-related fatalities.
Occupants of the other vehicle accounted for 3,601 fatalities in 2007.
Trucks can outweigh passenger vehicles by up to forty times, for this reason the change in velocity is almost always sustained by the passenger vehicle.
Approximately 8% of fatalities in truck accidents were pedestrians or bicyclists in 2007.

Truck Tips:

Oftentimes, a driver of a passenger vehicle does not realize when his or her vehicle legally becomes a "truck" on the road. Sometimes, merely towing another vehicle changes the laws you must follow. Your vehicle becomes much heavier, and your stopping distance can multiply by two to three times. When towing a vehicle and following a three-axle truck or another vehicle being towed, you must stay at least 300 feet behind that vehicle. This applies whether you are in a business or residential district, on a highway with more than two lanes moving in the same direction, or when overtaking and passing the vehicle ahead.

A truck traveling at 55 mph will require more than 400 feet to stop, and that is without factoring in the reaction time of the driver. Truck drivers are required to travel at safe speeds in relation to traffic flow and the increased distance to stop. However, you still must keep clear of fast-moving trucks on open roadways.
You may not transport passengers in the back of a pickup or flatbed truck if they are under the age of 18. The only exceptions to that are if the truck is used for farming or ranching, if it is being driven in a parade authorized by local authorities, or if it has a camper shell or slide-in camper.

SMART RULE #1 If you cannot clearly see the truck’s side view mirrors,
the truck driver probably cannot see you!

Some typical problems involving trucks include:

A. Trucks making wide turns account for many collisions, as cars are often sandwiched between the truck and curb. You must respect the wide turns required by these vehicles.

B. Trucks are not allowed to travel over 70 mph, and they usually stay in slower traffic lanes. The higher the truck’s weight and the higher the truck's speed, the longer the stopping distance that is required.

C. Slow trucks often carry full loads of cargo and lack the power to keep up with the flow of traffic. You should never tailgate a truck, but simply change lanes when it is safe to do so.

Bicycle and Motorcycle Safety

A. Bicycle - A bicycle can legally ride in a traffic lane on the road, provided it can keep up with the flow of regular vehicular traffic. A vehicle, however, can only cross into a bicycle lane when entering or leaving an alley, driveway or highway, when directed to do so by a police officer, or in an emergency situation. You must yield the right-of-way to bicyclists traveling in bicycle lanes. Additionally, you may only overtake and pass a bicycle if the maneuver can be done safely without putting the bicyclist at risk. Bicycles typically ride near the right curb of the road, but may move into the lane to the left to pass another bicycle or vehicle or to avoid hitting another object. Special care and extra space needs should be observed when driving near a bicycle.

Safety Tips For Bicyclists

Learn and obey all the same rules of the road you would practice if driving a motor vehicle.
Be alert and always look out for obstacles and vehicles.
Whenever possible, avoid riding a bike at night.
Be aware of your position on the road and traffic around you.
Always check your brakes before riding, and keep your bicycle in proper working order.
Bike with the flow of traffic - not against it.
Always protect your head by wearing a helmet.
Have a presence on the road - ensure that you are seen by other drivers.

Each year, there are 67 million bicyclists who ride approximately 15 billion hours, in the United States. There are over half a million people injured each year in bicycle-related crashes, while over 90% of the deaths from bicycle-related injuries are caused by collisions with motor vehicles. An injury to the head is the greatest risk faced by bicyclists, comprising one-third of the emergency room visits, two-thirds of hospital admissions, and three-fourths of the deaths. Children tend to be at the greatest risk on bicycles because they often do not practice safe riding techniques or wear a bicycle helmet. Because of this, about one-fifth of bicyclist deaths occur in the 5 to 14 year old age group.

Important safety statistics

Over 70% of crashes involving cars with bicycles occur in driveways or intersections.
Bicycle helmets can reduce head injuries by 85%.
Bicycle-related fatalities made up 2% of all fatal traffic collisions in 2007.
In 2007, 15% of the bicyclists injured in motor vehicle crashes were under 16 years old.
In 2007, a total of 698 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle collisions, and children under the age of 15 accounted for 107 of those fatalities.

B. Motorcycles - Motorcycles are involved in a high number of traffic collisions, due in large part to their "invisibility" on the road. A vehicle's side mirrors are important tools enabling a motorist to see motorcycles and reduce the number of these collisions. Motorcyclists must obey the same driving laws as all other vehicles. Motorcycle training classes are available through the Nevada State Highway Patrol.

REMEMBER... Motorcycles must be shown extra attention while on the road. Extra room must be left for motorcycles when they are making turns, and allowances should be given for their lane changing, positioning, and increases in speed.

A study conducted by Harry Hurt at the University of Southern California, called "Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures," found the following:

Approximately three-fourths of the motorcycle accidents involved a collision with another vehicle.
Approximately one-fourth of the motorcycle accidents involved a collision with the roadway or a fixed object in the environment.
Two percent of the accidents involved some sort of roadway defect
(potholes, cracks, pavement ridges, etc.).
One percent of the accidents involved an animal.
In two-thirds of the accidents that involved another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle was at fault by violating the motorcycle’s right-of-way.
Weather conditions were only a factor in about two percent of the motorcycle accidents.
92% of the motorcycle accidents studied involved motorcycle riders that were self-taught or learned from family or friends.
Injury severity increases with speed, alcohol involvement, and motorcycle size.
In the motorcycle accidents studied, less than ten percent of the riders had insurance to cover medical care or to replace property.

The use of a safety helmet while riding a motorcycle has proven to greatly reduce your risk of serious injury when involved in an accident.

Required Equipment for Bicycles and Mopeds

Bicycles and mopeds are required to have certain equipment such as brakes that are able to stop you within 25 feet when traveling 10 mph. In addition, you must have the following lights and reflectors if you plan on riding your bicycle from 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise:

A white light, located on the front of your bicycle so other drivers can see you from 500 feet.
A rear red reflector or red light, which must be a two inch square. Drivers should see the reflector when the low beam headlights of their vehicle hit it from 600 feet.
Reflective material or lights on the pedals, crank arms, shoes, or lower legs that drivers can see when reflected by their vehicle's low beam headlights at 200 feet.
Reflective material or lights on both sides of a bicycle that drivers can see when reflected by their vehicle's low beam headlights at 300 feet.

Funeral Processions

If you are part of an organized funeral procession, you should drive as close as practical and safe to the vehicle in front of you. You must keep your emergency hazard lights on while in the procession. Regardless of any traffic control device, an organized funeral procession has the right-of-way at all intersections. The following rules apply to drivers not in a funeral procession:

Do not drive in between vehicles that are part of the procession.
Do not join a funeral procession for the purpose of gaining the right-of-way.
Do not attempt to pass any vehicle in the procession, unless a passing lane has been specifically provided.
Do not enter an intersection that a procession is going through, unless you are able to do it without crossing the path of the funeral procession.