We know that where you're going at any given time is vastly more important than where everyone else on the road is headed. Nevertheless, it's only polite—not to mention safer—to share the road with others and not be a lane hog.

Big Rigs and RVs

Larger vehicles take twice as long to stop as you do, so take that into account when driving behind or in front of one. Obviously, you should never slam on the brakes unnecessarily when there's traffic behind you, but your troubles can multiply when you do so in front of a big truck.

You don't want to be sharing their windshield with a mass of bug splatter.

A trucker's blind spot is referred to as the "No Zone" and you'd be better off avoiding driving in it. The bigger the vehicle, the bigger the blind spots, so avoid driving right alongside big rigs and RVs, especially where you think you may be blocked from view. If you can't see the driver or his mirrors, he probably can't see you. 

And that's a shame, because your hair looks really nice today.

You may have noticed those "Makes Wide Right Turns" signs on the back of some larger vehicles. This is because the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels any time a vehicle's making a turn, and this is exaggerated when you're dealing with a long truck. So, unless you want to be decapitated by a semi, remain back until it has completed its turn. Also, because these vehicles swing wide to make those right turns, don't assume they're turning left just because they start out in that direction. You may be a fan of David versus Goliath stories, but if you try taking on a big rig, you're going to be one very flat David.

Please be careful in general when driving near large trucks. Don't cut them off to get to your exit in a hurry. You can always take the next exit and double back. It may cost you a few minutes, but it's a better deal than six to ten weeks of physical rehabilitation. Don't follow them too closely, and don't attempt to beat them through intersections. 

If you have an uncontrollable need for speed, get it out of your system by multi-tabling poker online. Aye, there's the rush.

Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleys, Oh My

Be cautious in areas where these vehicles may be traveling, especially at intersections where pedestrians may be boarding 'em. Don't drive through a safety zone if there is one. If there isn't, stop behind the vehicle's nearest door or vehicle platform and wait until all travelers are safely off the road. That means both of their feet. 

If you're at an intersection where an officer or signal controls traffic, you may pass the vehicle at a maximum of 10mph. Hey, it's still faster than walking.

You shouldn't pass any light rail vehicle or streetcar on the left side unless one of the following applies:

1. You're on a one-way street.
2. There isn't enough room to pass on the right.
3. A traffic officer directs you to do so.
4. You are the Second Coming of Christ and have been commanded as such by your father, the Almighty Lord. Third and Fourth Comings must still obey the rule. Please make sure your appointment as Second Coming has been approved by the proper church officials.

Light Rail Vehicles

And of course, we've a got a few more things to say about light rails:

1. Be aware of where they operate and how smoothly the vehicles are maneuvered. Be wary of smooth operators.
2. Never turn in front of one that's approaching from the opposite direction. An accident with a light rail vehicle still equals a heavy headache.
3. Keep a safe distance. So, like, several thousand miles from San Francisco.
4. Check both ways down a light rail track before crossing it, and only do so if a signal indicates that you may. No, the signal may not be your father, but it can tell you what to do.

Emergency Vehicles

No matter how badly you're itching for a chipwich, an ice cream truck doesn't count as an emergency vehicle. 

 e're referring more to cop cars, fire engines, ambulances, and any other vehicle sporting a siren and red lights. If you hear or see one of these coming up behind you, slow down, pull off to the right side of the road, and bring your vehicle to a stop. This is assuming you're not in the middle of an intersection, in which case you shouldn't pull off until you've cleared it. 

If you're not sure where the siren's coming from, pull over just to be on the safe side. If the sound of the siren's coming to you in the form of the ragtime classic "The Entertainer," it could be that what you're actually hearing is one of those aforementioned ice cream trucks. Only pull over if you have 75 cents on you.

Traffic directions given by anyone driving in or on an emergency vehicle override all other signs, signals, or laws, so be sure to obey them. If, for example, someone driving a fire engine tells you to stick your hand in your glove box and slam it really hard, do it. They almost certainly have a good reason. You could be saving a life.

Once an emergency vehicle passes you, don't drive closer than 500 feet behind them while their siren or flashing lights are in use. And don't be a doofus and follow them just so you can gaze at whatever destruction or wreckage it is that they're responding to, as you'll almost certainly get in their way and impede their progress. You could even be arrested. If you absolutely must look upon a hideous accident, why don't you go home and look in the mirror. Oh, snap.

 

Slow-Moving Vehicles

Some vehicles aren't meant or able to drive at the same speed as the rest of traffic, so you'll need to be aware of these and exhibit some patience. Such a vehicle will sometimes feature a symbol that looks like the one to the left.

This includes tractors, carts, road maintenance vehicles, and animal-drawn vehicles that will often be traveling at speeds under 25mph. P.S. Don't honk your horn at animal-drawn vehicles 'cause you might spook them. The animals, not the vehicles.

This also includes regular automobiles driven by silver-haired men and women, so show some patience with them, too. While they may not have any prophetic, shamanistic powers, they're still our elders, and we should give them a break. After all, they invented television.

You might also see a variety of other vehicles out there that are allowed to drive on certain roads, including wheelchairs, scooters, and golf carts. Slow down, and don't drive too closely to them. Also, if you have the time, see if you can help them find any errant golf balls.

NEV and LSV

Hey, those aren't words. Good catch. They're acronyms. We can almost feel you getting smarter.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) and Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV) have lanes of their own in some Illinois towns, most often in or near retirement communities and golf courses. They don't get up past 25mph, so they're restricted from most areas. But if you do see a lane marked as "NEV Use Only," don't drive in it, obvi.

 

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Motorcycles

Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles—aside from tricycles, perhaps, but you won't see many of those out on the interstate—so watch for these when scanning, and keep your distance when you do spot one. They'd be really great for target practice if it wasn't for those messy red and black skid marks left behind that represent whatever's left of the driver.

Motorcyclists are pretty unprotected out there—don't be fooled by their helmets—so show them some consideration. Don't make them feel uncomfortable by driving too close, passing quickly and unnecessarily, or shouting "Your mama drives a Kawasaki 750 Triple 1V!" out your window. That's just rude.

Motorcyclists should—but do not always—follow certain rules to make themselves more visible:

1. Wear a brightly colored jacket, vest, and helmet. So much for trying to look like cool on your Harley.
2. Wear reflective material on their helmet and clothes. Not mirrors, though. That's too reflective.
3. Use turn signals when preparing to turn or change lanes. See? These motorcyclists aren't so different from us after all.
4. Flash their brake lights when preparing to slow down or stop. Amazing how flashing lights tend to catch the eye.
5. Do frequent handstands on their bike seat to draw attention to themselves. Okay, we actually can't recommend this one. Save it for the X-games, pal.

As the driver of another vehicle on the road, you must respect the right-of-way of motorcyclists. Here are a few tips:

1. Always make a visual check for motorcycles when turning off of or onto a major street, or when changing lanes. Motorcycles can disappear easily behind one of your blind spots, so look in your mirrors as well.
2. Leave a four-second gap between yourself and a motorcyclist who's traveling ahead of you. They can stop more quickly than you can. Don't take this personally. It's just science.
3. Give a motorcyclist a full lane in which to travel. They may be narrower than a full-sized vehicle, but do you really need to get right up on them? That's not what we meant by "sharing the road."
4. Watch for motorcyclists when getting ready to turn, and don't begin your turn until you can be absolutely certain that you will be able to complete it before they arrive at an intersection. If they hit you mid-turn, nobody wins. Least of all the insurance company. Please, for the love of God, think of the poor insurance company.
5. Check for motorcyclists before opening a car door into the side of traffic. In fact, would it kill you to crawl over the gearshift and exit on the passenger side? Oh, it would? Okay, well just be careful then.
6. Remember that poor road conditions, like potholes, loose gravel, and wet pavement, are harder on motorcyclists than they are on you. Don't ridicule them for this, as they may be a little sensitive about it. Rather, increase the gap between you when such conditions exist, and drive with a greater degree of caution.

A Bicycle Built for Two-Way Roads