This chapter covers how to safely share the road with pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, trucks, buses, trains, and animals. Pedestrians generally have the right of way at intersections — New Jersey law treats every intersection as having a crosswalk, even when it isn't marked, so drivers must stop or yield to pedestrians crossing there.
The most heavily tested material is the Safe Passing Law: when passing a pedestrian, cyclist, skateboarder, or inline skater, drivers must give at least a 4-foot safety zone on a single-lane road, or slow to 25 mph if 4 feet isn't possible. The chapter also explains truck and bus "no-zones" (blind spots) — drivers should never linger beside a large vehicle or cut closely in front of one — and railroad crossing safety, noting that a train can take a mile or more to stop and always has the right of way.
A common mistake is assuming a motorcycle behaves like a car; the manual reminds drivers to check blind spots twice, leave extra following distance, and never underestimate a motorcycle's shorter braking distance. Around horse-drawn vehicles, drivers must slow to 25 mph or less and stop if signaled by the rider or driver.
What is New Jersey's Safe Passing Law?⌄
When passing a pedestrian, cyclist, or similar road user, drivers must leave at least 4 feet of space, or slow to 25 mph and be prepared to stop if 4 feet isn't possible.
Why are truck and bus "no-zones" important?⌄
They are blind spots where the truck or bus driver cannot see other vehicles — lingering there, or cutting in too closely, greatly increases crash risk.
Who has the right of way at a railroad crossing?⌄
Trains always have the right of way; a motorist must never race a train to a crossing or stop on the tracks.