Page 52 - Georgia Drivers Manual 2020
P. 52
9SECTION : SHARING THE ROAD Sharing the Road With
Commercial Motor Vehicles
Sharing the Road With
School Buses Commercial motor vehicles are vital to the
economy of Georgia and the United States. Most
In most cases, all drivers are required to of the products used in every day life were
stop when approaching or meeting a stopped delivered to stores by commercial motor ve-
school bus that has its lights flashing and is hicles. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles are
loading or unloading passengers. The exception trained, specially licensed driving professionals.
to this rule is when highways are separated in
the center by median strips. In this situation, Sharing the road with commercial motor ve-
only vehicles following or traveling alongside hicles is a necessary part of travel. Heavy trucks
a school bus in the same direction must stop. typically weigh 80,000 pounds or more, and driv-
ers should use caution when driving near them.
A warning will be given in advance by the
flashing red or amber lights on the front and Everyone should be aware of the differ-
rear of the bus. After stopping, you must remain ences between trucks and cars and behave ac
stopped until the bus resumes motion or deac- cordingly. These include:
tivates its warning signals AND all loading or • A fully loaded tractor-trailer, traveling 55 mph,
unloading passengers have cleared the roadway.
needs 3 times the distance a car needs to stop;
GEORGIA FINES & PENALTIES • Large trucks are more difficult to maneuver,
• Mandatory court appearance; • Up to 6 points on driving record; are longer and heavier, and require much
• Up to $1000 fine; • A conviction under 21 years of age more room to turn;
• Large trucks have larger blind spots, called
constitutes license suspension. “No-Zones.”
The “No-Zone” represents the danger areas
around trucks and buses where crashes are
more likely to occur. Some No-Zones are actual
blind spots or areas around trucks and buses
where your car “disappears” from the view of
the drivers. These blind spots are the Side No-
Zone, Rear No-Zone, and Front No-Zone areas.
50 2019-2020 DRIVERS MANUAL
