Sharing the road in Illinois

By the end of this topic you can

• You can pass a bicyclist or pedestrian legally and safely.
• You can open your car door without endangering cyclists.
• You can give motorcycles and large trucks the space they need.
• You can respond correctly to an emergency vehicle using lights and siren.
• You can cross railroad tracks safely and know what to do if you stall.

What you need to know and understand

• When passing a bicyclist, leave at least 3 feet from your side mirror; if you cannot, wait.
• Keep at least 3 feet from a pedestrian walking on the road or shoulder.
• Bicyclists may ride two abreast if they do not impede normal traffic, and drivers may not drive, park or stop in bike lanes.
• Allow at least three to four seconds following distance behind a motorcycle; a motorcyclist is entitled to the full lane.
• When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the right and stop if needed until it passes.
• At a railroad crossing with flashing lights, a lowered gate or a stop sign, stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail.
• Never sound your horn near a horse or other livestock.

People on foot and on bikes

Always be ready to yield to pedestrians and do not drive close to them. A person using a guide dog, white cane, wheelchair or other assistive device has the right of way.

Bicyclists, including riders of e-bikes that do not exceed 20 mph, have the same rights and duties as drivers. Pass slowly with at least 3 feet of room, never crowd them, and dim your high beams for an oncoming rider at night. If you are turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on your right, let them go through first. When turning left, wait for an oncoming bicyclist to pass.

Before opening your door after parking, use the Dutch Reach: open the driver's door with your right hand so your body turns and you can see cyclists coming from behind.

Motorcycles, trucks and slow vehicles

• More than half of motorcycle crashes happen at intersections, often when a car turns left in front of a motorcycle. Look twice before turning.
• Do not share a lane with a motorcycle. Keep your lane position and speed when one passes you.
• Stay out of a truck's blind spots, the no zones. If you cannot see the driver in their mirror, they cannot see you.
• Large vehicles make wide right turns and may leave a gap on their right. Do not move into it.
• Dim your headlights when following a truck at night.
• Farm and construction vehicles often travel at 5 to 20 mph, and carry an orange slow-moving vehicle emblem. Slow early and pass only when safe.

Emergency vehicles and railroad crossings

When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the right side right away and stop if needed. If you are stopped at an intersection, stay stopped until it has passed. Do not drive over fire hoses unless a fire official allows it.

At a crossing, expect a train on any track at any time. Stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail when lights flash, the gate is down or a train is coming, and go only when the gate is fully up and the lights stop. Never stop on the tracks; make sure there is room for your car on the far side first. If your car stalls on the tracks, everyone gets out at once, moves away at a 45-degree angle toward the train, and calls 911 and the number on the blue Emergency Notification System sign.

Common mistakes

• Squeezing past a bicyclist in the same lane. If 3 feet is not available, wait behind.
• Turning left in front of a motorcycle because it looks far away. Motorcycles are easy to misjudge, so wait until you are sure.
• Crossing the tracks right after a train passes. Check for a second train on another track first.
• Honking at a horse to warn the rider. The noise can frighten the horse and cause a crash.

Test yourself: Sharing the road in Illinois

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

Go deeper

• Illinois parking, school bus and railroad crossing rules
• Sharing the Road in Illinois and What to Do After a Crash
• Illinois Cell Phone Law Under 19