Sharing the road in Kentucky

By the end of this topic you can

• You can yield correctly to pedestrians, including blind pedestrians.
• You can pass a cyclist or electric scooter rider with a safe gap.
• You can share a lane space correctly with motorcycles.
• You can stay out of a truck's no zones.
• You can approach slow-moving vehicles and railroad crossings safely.

What you need to know and understand

• You must yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks and to all pedestrians in an intersection, even on a green light.
• Failing to yield to a blind pedestrian with a white cane or assistance dog can bring a fine of up to $250.
• When there is only one lane in your direction, pass a bicycle or electric low-speed scooter with at least 3 feet of space.
• You may cross the center line, even in a no-passing zone, to pass a cyclist or scooter rider if the way is clear.
• A motorcycle is entitled to a full lane; keep at least a 4-second following distance behind one.
• An orange and red triangle on the back of a vehicle means it travels below 25 mph.

People on foot and on bikes

Be ready to yield to pedestrians even outside crosswalks, and check carefully before turning on red or backing up. At a stop, do not stop more than 5 feet back from the crosswalk unless there is an advance stop line, because blind pedestrians use the sound of your engine. Never honk at a blind pedestrian.

Bicycles are vehicles on Kentucky roads. Give cyclists as much room as possible, do not turn sharply across them, check for them before opening your door, and avoid honking close by. Electric low-speed scooters, which riders must be 16 or older to use on the road, follow the same rules as bicycles.

Big vehicles and blind spots

Trucks and buses have large no zones on both sides, in front and behind, and the rear blind spot can stretch up to 200 feet. If you cannot see the driver's face in their mirror, they cannot see you. A loaded truck at 55 mph needs at least 335 feet to stop, so never cut in front of one. When a truck swings wide to turn right, do not squeeze into the gap.

For motorcycles, check mirrors and blind spots, and do not assume a flashing signal means the rider is turning; motorcycle signals may not cancel themselves.

Rural roads, emergency vehicles and railroads

• Farm machinery and buggies: pass only when it is clearly safe, do not honk or rev your engine near horses, and expect left turns into fields.
• Emergency vehicles with lights or siren: pull right, stop clear of intersections, and stay back at least 500 feet when following.
• Railroad crossings: a freight train at 55 mph may need a mile or more to stop. Never cross when lights flash or gates are down, and wait for a clear view of all tracks.
• Stalled on the tracks: get out at once and move away from the tracks toward the direction the train is coming from, then call the number on the crossing sign or 911.

Common mistakes

• Squeezing past a cyclist on a narrow road with less than 3 feet of space. Wait until you can pass safely.
• Sitting alongside a truck in its side blind spot. Pass it steadily or drop back.
• Starting across a multi-track crossing as soon as one train passes. A second train may be coming.
• Revving the engine behind a horse-drawn buggy, which can frighten the horse.

Test yourself: Sharing the road in Kentucky

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

Go deeper

• Kentucky No Pass No Drive Law Explained
• Kentucky Road Test Checklist
• Kentucky 60 Hour Practice Driving Log