Drivers crossing a sidewalk while entering or exiting a driveway, alley, or parking lot must stop and yield to pedestrians and bicyclists. It is illegal to drive on a sidewalk except to cross it.
• Pedestrians using a guide dog or other service animal or carrying a white cane have absolute right-of-way. It is unlawful to interfere with or distract a service animal. Do not use your horn as it could confuse or frighten the pedestrian or the service animal.
• Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
• Drivers entering a roundabout must yield to drivers and bicyclists already in the circle.
• At an intersection where there is no stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal, drivers must yield to vehicles in the intersection and to those coming from the right. Drivers must follow the rules for yielding to pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk whether or not it is marked.
• At a four-way stop the driver reaching the intersection first, goes first (after coming to a complete stop). If more than one vehicle arrives at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.
• Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley, parking lot, or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road.
• Drivers must not enter an intersection unless they can get through it without having to stop. You should wait until traffic ahead clears so you are not blocking the intersection.
• Drivers passing a vehicle going in the same direction must be ready to yield in case the other driver suddenly turns, slows down, or stops.
• You must yield the right-of-way to trains crossing the roadway; trains cannot stop for you.
• You must yield the right-of-way to a police vehicle, fire engine, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle using a siren, air horn, or a red or blue flashing light. Pull over to the right edge of the road, or as near to the right as possible, and stop when you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction. If you are in an intersection, drive through the intersection before you pull over. If the light is red, stay where you are. Follow any instructions given over the emergency vehicle's loudspeaker.
• You must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road or at an intersection you are approaching. You are not required to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing when the stopped school bus is traveling in the opposite direction and the roadway:
– has three or more marked traffic lanes, – is separated by a median, or
– is separated by a physical barrier.
You should never pass a stopped school bus on the right hand side.
After the school bus red lights have stopped flashing, watch for children along the side of the road and do not proceed until they have completely left the roadway.
The risk of injuring a child crossing the road is increased during the loading and unloading of a school bus. Be alert for children that may try to return to the bus after unloading.
Fines are doubled for anyone that passes a stopped school bus. The penalty for failing to stop for a stopped school bus may not be waived, reduced, or suspended.
• You must yield to any transit vehicle (bus) t that has signaled and is pulling back onto the roadway.
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Parking
Drivers are responsible for making sure their vehicle is not
a hazard when it is parked. Whenever you park, be sure it
is in a place that is far enough from any travel lane to avoid interfering with traffic and visible to vehicles approaching from either direction.
• Always park in a designated area if possible.
• Always set your parking brake when you park. Leave the vehicle in gear if it has a manual transmission or in "park" if it has an automatic transmission.
• Check traffic before you open the door. Get out of the vehicle on the curb side if you can. When opening a vehicle door, drivers and passengers should do the following: (1) Check your rear-view mirror. (2) Check your side-view mirror. (3) Open the door with your far hand (the hand farthest from the door). This is called the "Dutch Reach" method which originated in the Netherlands. It forces your body to turn, which will better allow you to see approaching bicyclists. It also prevents the vehicle door from being opened too fast. This not only protects bicyclists, but can also prevent your door from being damaged or torn off by an approaching motor vehicle. Shut the door as soon as you can after getting out.
• Never leave the ignition key in a parked vehicle. It is a good habit to lock the doors whenever you leave your vehicle.
• It is against the law to leave children under 16 years of age alone in a parked car with the engine running.
• If you must park on a roadway, park your vehicle as far away from traffic as possible. If there is a curb, park as close to it as you can.
No parking zones – There are many areas where you cannot park. Check for signs that may prohibit or limit parking. Some parking restrictions are indicated by colored curb markings. Do not park:
• in an intersection.
• on a crosswalk or sidewalk.
• in a bicycle lane.
• in a construction area if your vehicle will block traffic.
• within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, or yield sign.
• within 20 feet of a pedestrian safety zone.
• within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
• within 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
• more than 12 inches from the curb.
• within 20 feet of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street or within 75 feet of the fire station driveway on the other side of the street.
• within 5 feet of a driveway, alley, private road, or area of the curb removed or lowered for access to the sidewalk.
• on a bridge or overpass or in a tunnel or underpass.
• on the wrong side of the street.
• in a space marked for the disabled unless you have a disabled license plate or placard.
• on the road side of a parked vehicle (double parking).
• on railroad tracks.
• on the shoulder of the freeway unless you have an emergency.
• wherever there is a sign that says you cannot park.
Other parking restrictions may be indicated by signs or curbs
painted:
• white indicates that only short stops are permitted.
• yellow/red indicates a loading zone or some other restriction.
Parking on a Hill
When you park on a hill:
• with a curb and are facing uphill, set your parking brake and turn your steering wheel away from the curb. This way, if your vehicle starts to roll, it will roll into the curb.
• facing downhill, set your parking brake and turn your steering wheel toward the curb.
• and there is no curb, set your parking brake and turn your steering wheel toward the edge of the road. This way, if your vehicle starts to roll, it will roll away from traffic.
Parallel Parking
When you parallel park, park within 12 inches of the curb. Here are the steps to parallel parking:
• Stop even with the car ahead. Turn the wheel sharp right and back slowly toward the car behind.
• When clear of the car ahead, turn the wheel sharp left and back slowly to the car behind.
• Turn the wheel sharp right and pull toward
the curb in
the center of the parking space.
