Florida Drivers Handbook |
3.7. Bicyclists
Bicyclists
In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a
vehicle. Bicyclists using a public roadway are considered
operators of motor vehicles and are responsible for observing
traffic laws. With few exceptions, there is only one road
and it is up to motorists and bicyclists to treat each other
with care and respect. Adherence to the law is the foundation
of respect.
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Persons
The primary traveling aids for a person who is blind
are often a white cane or a trained guide dog. Independent
travel involves some risk that can be greatly reduced
when you, the driver, are aware of the use and meaning
of a white cane or guide dog.
Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to persons
who are blind. When a pedestrian is crossing a street
or highway guided by a dog or carrying a white cane
(or a white cane with a red tip), vehicles
must come to a complete stop.
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Mobility-Impaired Persons
Drivers must yield the right-of-way to mobility-impaired
persons and pedestrians utilizing the assistance of a guide
dog or service animal. When a pedestrian is crossing a public
street or highway and the pedestrian is using a walker,
a crutch, or an orthopedic cane or wheelchair, vehicles
must come to a complete stop.
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School
Buses
On a two way street or highway, all drivers moving
in either direction must stop for a stopped school
bus which is picking up or dropping off children.
You must always stop if you are moving in the same
direction as the bus and you must remain stopped until
the bus stop signal is withdrawn.
If the highway is divided by a raised barrier or an
unpaved median at least five feet wide, you do not
have to stop if you are moving in the opposite direction
of the bus. Painted lines or pavement markings are
not considered barriers. You must always stop if you
are moving in the same direction as the bus and you
must continue until the bus stop signal is withdrawn. |
School Crossings
Crossing guards are posted in areas when it is unsafe for
children to cross alone. When you see a guard, reduce your
speed. You are near a school and children are in the area.
Watch for school zone posted speed limit. If necessary,
stop at the marked stop line. Never stop in the crosswalk.
Obey signals from any crossing guard. It is the driver's
responsibility to do everything possible to avoid colliding
with pedestrians. Remember that children are unpredictable.
Do your part to make every crossing a safe crossing.
Public Transit
All drivers should yield the right-of-way to public transit
buses traveling in the same direction which have signaled
and are reentering the traffic flow from a specifically
designated pullout bay.
Funeral Processions
Pedestrians and drivers must yield the right-of-way to funeral
processions. When the first vehicle in the funeral processions
lawfully enters an intersection, other vehicles in the procession
must have their headlights on as a signal to other drivers
not to drive between or interfere with the procession while
it is in motion unless directed to do so by a law enforcement
officer.
Driveways
Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley or roadside
must yield to vehicles already on the main road. Motorists
must yield to bicyclists and pedestrians on the sidewalk.
Emergency Vehicles
Pedestrians and drivers must yield the right-of-way to law
enforcement cars, fire engines and other emergency vehicles
using sirens and/or flashing lights. Pull over to the closest
edge of the roadway immediately and stop until the emergency
vehicle has passed. Do not block intersections.
"Move Over"
When driving on interstate highways or other highways with
two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency
vehicle, and except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement
officer, drivers approaching a law enforcement or other
authorized emergency vehicle parked on the roadway with
their emergency lights activated, will be required to leave
the lane closest to the emergency vehicle, as soon as it
is safe to do so.
Note: Emergency vehicles include wreckers that are displaying
their amber rotating flashing lights and performing a recovery
or loading on a roadside.
When approaching a law enforcement or other authorized emergency
vehicle parked on a two-lane roadway with their emergency
lights activated, and except when otherwise directed by
a law enforcement officer, drivers will be required to slow
to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted
speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per
hour or greater; or travel at 5 miles per hour when the
posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less.
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