Sharing the RoadGeorgia · Driving · English

In Georgia, drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk under several conditions. This applies when a pedestrian is on the driver's half of the road or approaching within one lane. Drivers must also yield to pedestrians when turning at intersections, after stopping at a stop sign, and even on a green light if a pedestrian is still in the crosswalk.

• ✓A driver must stop and remain stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the driver's half of the roadway or is approaching within one lane.
• ✓Drivers must yield to pedestrians at traffic signals, even when the light is green, if the pedestrian is still in the crosswalk.
• ✓When entering a street from a driveway or alley, you must stop and yield to pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Georgia law provides special protection for blind pedestrians. Any pedestrian using a guide dog or a white cane must be given the right-of-way at all times, without exception. Drivers must stop their vehicle when they see a blind pedestrian attempting to cross a street or highway.

• ✓Pedestrians using guide dogs or white walking canes must be given the right-of-way at all times.
• ✓You must stop your vehicle when approaching a blind person who is crossing a street or highway carrying a white cane or being guided by a dog.

Bicyclists in Georgia are legally entitled to use a full lane. When passing a bicyclist, a motorist must allow a minimum of 3 feet of space. If a lane change to pass is not possible or safe, the driver must slow down to a speed that is at least 10 mph less than the posted speed limit (or 25 mph, whichever is greater) and still maintain the 3-foot passing distance.

• ✓The minimum legal space for a motorist to pass a bicyclist is 3 feet.
• ✓Bicyclists are legally entitled to use the full lane on Georgia roads, except for interstates.
• ✓If a lane change to pass a bicycle is not possible, you must reduce your speed to at least 10 mph less than the posted speed limit or 25 mph, whichever is more.

Georgia law requires drivers to stop for a school bus that is stopped with its lights flashing to load or unload passengers. The only exception is on a divided highway with a median; in this case, only traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must stop. On all other roads, including two-lane, four-lane, and roads with a center turning lane, all traffic in both directions must stop.

• ✓On a two-lane road or a multi-lane road without a median, all traffic from both directions must stop for a stopped school bus.
• ✓On a divided highway with a median separation, only traffic following the bus must stop.
• ✓After stopping, you must remain stopped until the bus resumes motion or deactivates its warning signals.

Violating Georgia's school bus stop law carries severe penalties. A conviction requires a mandatory court appearance and can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and the assessment of up to 6 points on your driving record. For drivers under 21, a conviction for this offense will result in a license suspension.

• ✓Illegally passing a stopped school bus can result in a fine up to $1,000 and 6 points on your driving record.
• ✓For a driver under 21 years of age, a conviction for illegally passing a school bus results in a license suspension.

Large trucks and buses have significant blind spots on all four sides, known as "No-Zones." These are danger areas where crashes are more likely. The largest No-Zones are on the sides and directly behind the vehicle. A general rule is that if you cannot see the truck driver's face in their side-view mirror, the driver cannot see you.

• ✓The 'No-Zone' represents the large blind spots around trucks and buses where your car can 'disappear' from the driver's view.
• ✓If you cannot see the driver's face in the commercial vehicle's side-view mirror, you are in their blind spot.
• ✓Trucks and buses have large blind spots directly behind them, as they do not have a rear-view mirror.

Crosswalks are designated areas for pedestrians to cross the street. They exist at all four corners of any intersection, even if they are not marked with painted lines. Drivers must not block crosswalks when stopping at intersections to allow for safe pedestrian passage.

• ✓Crosswalks exist on all four corners of intersections, even when they are not marked by painted lines.
• ✓When stopping at a red light or stop sign, you must stop your vehicle before the crosswalk.
• ✓Pedestrians have the right-of-way over motor vehicles when they are in a crosswalk.

On multi-lane roads, never pass a vehicle that is stopped at a crosswalk, as they may be stopped for a pedestrian you cannot see. To improve visibility for other drivers, when you stop for a pedestrian on a multi-lane road, you should stop at least 10 feet before the crosswalk.

• ✓Use extreme caution and do not pass a car that is stopped at a crosswalk on a multi-lane road.
• ✓When stopping at a crosswalk on a multi-lane road, stop at least 10 feet before the crosswalk to allow drivers in adjacent lanes to see the pedestrian.

The likelihood of a pedestrian surviving a crash with a motor vehicle is directly related to the vehicle's speed. The risk of death increases dramatically with speed. A pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 40 mph has at least an 80% chance of being killed.

• ✓The risk of serious or fatal pedestrian injuries increases exponentially with driver speed.
• ✓When a pedestrian is struck by a motor vehicle traveling 40 mph, the risk of pedestrian death is at least 80%.

Motorcyclists have the same rights as other drivers and are entitled to the full width of a traffic lane. Drivers of cars should never try to share a lane with a motorcycle. Motorcyclists often adjust their position within a lane for safety, to be more visible, or to avoid road hazards.

• ✓Motorcycles are allowed the full width of a lane in which to maneuver.
• ✓Do not share a traffic lane with a motorcycle.
• ✓Motorcyclists may change lane position to increase visibility or avoid road hazards like potholes or gravel.

Because motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars, drivers should maintain a greater following distance. A three to four-second following distance is recommended. When passing a motorcycle, give it a full lane of space and do not merge back into the lane until you are safely clear.

• ✓Allow a following distance of three or four seconds when behind a motorcycle.
• ✓In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.
• ✓When passing a motorcycle, allow a full lane to the motorcycle.

Intersections are the most common location for crashes involving cars and motorcycles, often because a car driver fails to see the motorcycle. Be aware that motorcycle turn signals may not be self-canceling, so a blinking signal does not guarantee the rider is turning. Wait for the rider to begin the maneuver before you proceed.

• ✓Intersections are the most likely places for a car/motorcycle crash to occur.
• ✓Do not assume a motorcyclist is turning just because their turn signal is flashing; wait to be sure before proceeding.

Due to their size and weight, commercial motor vehicles require much more room to stop and maneuver. A fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at 55 mph needs three times the stopping distance of a car. Never cut in front of a truck and then slow down. When passing, ensure you can see the entire front of the truck in your rearview mirror before merging back.

• ✓A fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at 55 mph needs 3 times the distance a car needs to stop.
• ✓Do not tailgate a commercial motor vehicle, as you will be in their rear blind spot and unable to see traffic ahead.
• ✓Before merging in front of a truck, make sure you can see the entire front of the truck in your rear-view mirror.

To conserve fuel, reduce engine wear, and minimize air pollution, drivers should avoid unnecessary engine idling. According to Georgia's guidelines, idling a vehicle for just 10 seconds consumes more fuel than it takes to restart the engine.

• ✓Idling a vehicle for 10 seconds will consume more fuel than restarting the engine.
• ✓Minimizing idling time reduces fuel consumption, engine wear, and air pollution.