Sharing the road in Ohio

By the end of this topic you can

• You can yield correctly to pedestrians, including blind pedestrians.
• You can pass a bicyclist with at least three feet of space.
• You can keep a safe distance from motorcycles and large trucks.
• You can respond correctly when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren.
• You can stop at the right distance from a railroad crossing when a train is coming.

What you need to know and understand

• Pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired, shown by a white cane or guide dog, have the right of way.
• Keep at least three feet between your vehicle and a bicycle when passing.
• Give a motorcycle a full lane width, and follow at least three seconds behind in ideal conditions, four or more otherwise.
• A loaded truck at 55 mph needs at least about 335 feet to stop, and its rear blind spot can stretch up to 200 feet.
• When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, pull to the right and stop until it has passed.
• When a train is coming, stop no closer than 15 feet and no farther than 50 feet from the crossing.
• An orange and red triangle on the back of a vehicle means it travels under 25 mph.

People on foot and on bikes

Pedestrians are hard to see and do not always use crosswalks, so be ready to yield. Take extra care when turning, when backing, and near parked cars, playgrounds and schools.

Bicycles are vehicles on Ohio roads and ride with traffic. Slow down as you approach, pass only when it is safe, leave at least three feet, and do not honk close to a rider or turn sharply across their path. Wet roads, sand and gravel affect bicycles far more than cars.

Motorcycles and large vehicles

Motorcycles are easy to miss in mirrors and blind spots, need more room to stop, and may swerve to avoid potholes or gravel. Their turn signals may not cancel by themselves, so do not assume a rider is turning.

Trucks and buses have large No Zones on every side. If you cannot see the driver's face in their side mirror, they cannot see you. Do not squeeze between a turning truck and the curb, and do not cut in front of one to reach an exit; it needs much more distance to stop than you do.

Emergency vehicles, trains and slow traffic

1. Siren and flashing lights behind you: pull to the right edge, stop clear of intersections and wait until it passes.
2. Train approaching a crossing: stop between 15 and 50 feet from the tracks and wait until the train has gone and signals stop.
3. Farm machinery or buggies ahead: slow early, watch for the slow-moving emblem and pass only when it is safe and legal.

Common mistakes

• Passing a bicyclist with less than three feet of space on a narrow road. Wait until it is safe.
• Sharing a lane with a motorcycle. Riders are entitled to the full lane.
• Lingering beside a truck in its side No Zone.
• Stopping on the tracks while waiting for traffic to move on the other side of a crossing.

Test yourself: Sharing the road in Ohio

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

Go deeper

• Ohio Driver Training for Under 21s
• Ohio Hands-Free Driving Law for New and Teen Drivers
• Ohio OVI Law and License Suspensions for New Drivers