Sharing the road in Maryland

By the end of this topic you can

• You can yield to pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
• You can pass a bicyclist safely and legally.
• You can stay out of a truck's No-Zones.
• You can respond correctly to emergency vehicles and school buses.
• You can cross railroad tracks safely.

What you need to know and understand

• Where there is no signal, stop for pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
• Leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicycle, EPAMD (a stand-up personal mobility device) or motor scooter.
• Yield to bicyclists in a bike lane or shoulder when you enter or cross it.
• Bicyclists may use the full lane when it is too narrow to share safely. Motorcyclists may also use the whole lane.
• For an emergency vehicle using lights and siren, pull to the edge of the road, clear of intersections, and stop until it passes.
• Fully loaded trucks can weigh over 80,000 pounds and need much more room to stop.
• Buses, school buses and trucks carrying hazardous materials stop at every railroad crossing.

People on foot and on bikes

Pedestrians have the right-of-way at crossings, though they must obey signals. Yield to them when you turn on green or on red. Watch closely for people who are blind, deaf or use mobility aids.

Bicycles are vehicles in Maryland. Slow down behind a rider, do not honk, and pass with at least 3 feet of space once oncoming traffic is clear. Check for bikes before opening your door, and never make a right turn across a bike lane right after passing a rider.

Motorcycles and large vehicles

• Look twice for motorcycles before turning left or changing lanes. Do not share a lane with one, and keep at least 3 to 4 seconds behind.
• Truck No-Zones are at the sides, directly behind and just in front. If you cannot see the driver's face in their mirror, they cannot see you.
• Do not pull in front of a truck until you can see both of its headlights in your mirror.
• Trucks may swing left before a right turn. Never squeeze along their right side.

Emergency vehicles, buses and trains

When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, move as close to the edge as possible, stay out of the intersection and stop until it passes. Do not pass one going your way unless it has stopped or police direct you.

Stop at least 20 feet from a school bus with flashing red lights. At railroad crossings, gates down or flashing lights mean the road is closed; after a train passes, check for a second train. Our guide to Maryland phone laws covers distraction risks around vulnerable road users.

Common mistakes

• Passing a bicyclist with only inches to spare. The law requires at least 3 feet where the road allows.
• Passing a car that has stopped at a crosswalk. A pedestrian may be crossing in front of it.
• Lingering beside a truck. Pass steadily, then return only when both its headlights show in your mirror.
• Stopping on the tracks in traffic. Only start across when there is room on the far side.

Test yourself: Sharing the road in Maryland

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

Go deeper

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