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Idaho driving lesson · Sharing the Road

Emergency vehicles, pedestrians, and riders

A 4-minute lesson from the Idaho course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
4 minutes
Course unit
Sharing the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
95, 96, 97, 98

Cars share the road with trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, and even horses. Courtesy, respect for others' rights, and heightened awareness prevent serious injuries. Pedestrian deaths rise dramatically as vehicle speed increases.

Know the rule

When an emergency or police vehicle approaches with a siren or flashing red or blue lights, immediately pull to the nearest curb or edge on the right and stop. Stay stopped until it has passed.

Handbook p. 95 ↗

Know the rule

Approaching a stopped emergency or police vehicle with lights flashing, a tow truck, or an incident response vehicle: immediately slow below the posted limit and proceed with caution.

Handbook p. 95 ↗

Know the rule

On a road with two or more lanes going your direction, also move to a lane not next to that stopped vehicle as soon as it's safe.

Handbook p. 95 ↗

Know the rule

Watch for pedestrians especially in residential areas, near schools and school or trail crossings, parking lots, intersections, crosswalks, bus stops, playgrounds, and parks.

Handbook p. 95 ↗

Know the rule

Yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections, when entering a street from an alley or driveway, and to anyone carrying a visible white cane or with a service dog.

Handbook p. 96 ↗

Situations where you must wait for a pedestrian:

  • Someone crosses where there's no painted crosswalk: stop and let them finish, even if you had the right-of-way
  • A pedestrian steps into the crosswalk just before your light turns green: wait until they've crossed
  • A car in the next lane stopped for a pedestrian: do NOT pass it; wait, then make sure it's safe
  • Children near the street or in school/playground areas: slow down and expect them to run out
  • At night or in rain, snow, fog, or sun glare: use extreme caution
Handbook p. 96 ↗

Know the rule

Before getting in, walk around your vehicle to check for children you can't see from the driver's seat. When backing out of a driveway, watch for children running behind you.

Handbook p. 97 ↗

Know the rule

Children darting out from between parked cars is a common cause of serious injury. They're often too short to be seen, and may have a playmate who can't see you either.

Handbook p. 97 ↗

Know the rule

Horseback riders may use most public roads with the same rights and rules as drivers. Slow down and give plenty of room when passing.

Handbook p. 97 ↗

Know the rule

Never sound your horn near a horse; it may frighten the animal. If a rider is struggling to control it, use extreme caution and stop if necessary.

Handbook p. 98 ↗

Put it into practice

You're in the left lane of a two-lane one-way street. The car beside you in the right lane stops at a crosswalk. Stop too: a pedestrian may be crossing in front of it. Passing a car stopped for a pedestrian is prohibited.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

When an emergency vehicle approaches with siren or flashing lights, you must:
  1. pull left and stop
  2. speed up to clear the area
  3. continue at reduced speed
  4. pull to the nearest curb or edge and stop

Answer: pull to the nearest curb or edge and stop

Pull to the nearest right curb/edge and remain stopped until it passes.

Handbook p. 95 ↗
When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with lights flashing, you must:
  1. reduce speed below the limit
  2. stop completely regardless of lane
  3. pull directly behind it
  4. maintain your speed but move over

Answer: reduce speed below the limit

Slow below the limit and move over a lane when it's safe.

Handbook p. 95 ↗
If a vehicle in the next lane has stopped for a pedestrian crossing, you should:
  1. honk to alert the pedestrian
  2. pass slowly once the pedestrian clears your lane
  3. wait for the pedestrian to finish crossing
  4. proceed since you have the right lane

Answer: wait for the pedestrian to finish crossing

Do not pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian crossing.

Handbook p. 96 ↗
Before getting into your vehicle, you should walk around it to check for:
  1. tire pressure only
  2. mechanical noises only
  3. parking violations
  4. children playing nearby that you can't see from the driver's seat

Answer: children playing nearby that you can't see from the driver's seat

Walking around the vehicle helps spot children you might not see while seated.

Handbook p. 97 ↗
When approaching a horseback rider, you should:
  1. honk to alert the rider you're passing
  2. slow down and give plenty of room
  3. stop completely regardless of distance
  4. pass quickly to minimize contact time

Answer: slow down and give plenty of room

Honking can startle a horse; slow down and give room instead.

Handbook p. 97 ↗
A pedestrian who steps into the crosswalk just before the light turns green means you must:
  1. tap the horn and continue
  2. only yield if they're already halfway across
  3. proceed carefully since you have the green
  4. wait for them to finish crossing before proceeding

Answer: wait for them to finish crossing before proceeding

You must let the pedestrian finish crossing even after the light changes.

Handbook p. 96 ↗
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More in Sharing the Road

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