Sharing the road in Delaware

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain when you must yield to pedestrians.
• You can pass a bicyclist legally and safely.
• You can leave the right following distance behind motorcycles and trucks.
• You can stay out of a truck's blind spots, the No-Zone.
• You can cross railroad tracks safely and report a crossing problem.

What you need to know and understand

• You must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks, and never pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian.
• A pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog has absolute right of way.
• When passing a bicyclist you must leave at least 3 feet, and change lanes, even across a double yellow line, if the lane is too narrow to share.
• You must not honk at a bicyclist unless there is imminent danger.
• Follow a motorcycle by at least 2 seconds under 40 mph and 4 seconds above 40 mph.
• Stay at least 4 seconds behind a truck.
• Never stop on railroad tracks; stop when crossing lights flash and never drive around a lowered gate.

People on foot

Stop for a pedestrian who is crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. You may continue with caution if a pedestrian is standing safely on the sidewalk. Yield when crossing a sidewalk to enter or leave a driveway, alley or parking lot. Give extra time to people using canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs or service animals, and do not use your horn near a blind pedestrian, as it can confuse them. A light tap of the horn is never a substitute for yielding.

Bicyclists

Bicyclists may ride on most Delaware roads. Under the Bicycle Friendly Delaware Act you must change lanes to pass if the lane is too narrow to share, even if that means crossing a double yellow line when it is safe. In an unusually wide lane you may pass within the lane but must slow down and leave at least 3 feet. At stop signs on roads with two or fewer lanes, cyclists may treat the sign as a yield sign, so expect them to roll through after checking. Look for cyclists before turning, and never pass one only to turn right in front of them.

Motorcycles and large trucks

• Motorcycles are hard to see and hard to judge for speed. Look twice before turning left in front of one, and remember their signals may not cancel themselves.
• Give a motorcycle the full lane. Never share a lane with one.
• Trucks have deep blind spots behind and to the sides. If you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
• After passing a truck, move back only when you can see its front in your rear-view mirror, then keep your speed.
• Trucks swing wide to turn right. Never squeeze into the gap on their right, and never pass behind a truck that is backing up.

Trains and slow vehicles

Never start across tracks unless there is room on the far side. Each crossing has a blue Emergency Notification System sign with a phone number and crossing ID, which you can call to report a stalled car or a fault. A triangular orange emblem marks slow-moving vehicles such as farm tractors: slow down right away. Our guide to what the Delaware road test checks includes how examiners look for these hazards.

Common mistakes

• Squeezing past a cyclist in a narrow lane. Change lanes when it is safe or wait.
• Passing a car that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian may be crossing in front of it.
• Tailgating a motorcycle. Use at least 4 seconds above 40 mph.
• Cutting in right after passing a truck. Wait until you see the cab in your mirror.

Test yourself: Sharing the road in Delaware

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Delaware Permit Test
• Delaware Road Test
• Learning to Drive in Delaware