Chapter 8: Sharing the Road

Successfully sharing the road is about recognizing that not all vehicles are the same and that pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable. Understanding how to safely interact with large trucks, school buses, emergency vehicles, and two-wheeled traffic is a core component of defensive driving. This knowledge is essential for passing the driver’s exam and for preventing tragic, yet avoidable, collisions in real-world driving.

Alaska’s roadways are used by a diverse mix of vehicles and people. As a driver, you have a legal and ethical responsibility to adjust your driving to safely accommodate everyone, from pedestrians and bicyclists to large commercial trucks and emergency responders.

Pedestrians and Bicyclists

Pedestrians and cyclists are the most vulnerable road users because they have no physical protection in a crash. Drivers must exercise constant vigilance and be prepared to yield the right-of-way to them.

Driver Responsibilities to Pedestrians

Drivers must always be prepared to slow down or stop for pedestrians.

• Crosswalks: A driver must stop and yield to a pedestrian in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. An unmarked crosswalk exists at any intersection where sidewalks are present. When one vehicle stops for a pedestrian, it is illegal for another vehicle to overtake and pass the stopped vehicle.
• Blind Pedestrians: A pedestrian using a guide dog or a white cane (with or without a red tip) must be given the right-of-way at all times, regardless of the traffic signal. Drivers must stop and remain stopped until the person has safely crossed the road. Do not honk your horn, as it can be disorienting; the person relies on the sound of your engine to know you have stopped.

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