Page 20 - FINAL GA Drivers Manual Updated July 2021

SECTION 5 : TRAFFIC LAWS

within 200 feet of your vehicle prior to the a pedestrian to cross the roadway, their vehicle may A turn signal must be given whenever a turn
completion of a passing maneuver; block your view of the pedestrian. is made to the right or the left. You must give a
continuous turn signal for an adequate distance
• On a hill or curve where it is not possible to Passing Bicycles
see oncoming vehicles which might be close Motorists should approach bicycles with to alert other drivers before turning. Never de-
enough to be a hazard; due caution and shall proceed as follows: cide to make a turn at the “last minute.” Turning
quickly or erratically can be dangerous to you
• On the shoulder of the road; (Violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a and other drivers.
fine up to $250.00).
• When a school bus is stopped to load or un- Illegal Signals
load passengers. Make a lane change into a lane not adjacent
to the bicycle if possible in the existing road It is against the law to flash turn signals as
Passing is Permitted When: and traffic conditions OR a courtesy or “do pass” signal to other drivers
in the rear.
• Lawfully overtaking and passing another
vehicle going in the same direction; If a lane change is impossible, prohibited How To Make A Right Turn
by law, or unsafe, reduce the speed of the
• An obstruction makes it necessary to drive motor vehicle to a reasonable and proper • Using appropriate signals, and giving drivers
to the left of the center line, but only after speed for the traffic conditions, which ahead of and behind you adequate notice,
yielding to oncoming traffic; speed shall be at least ten miles per hour activate your right turn signal;
• A roadway includes two or more marked less than the posted speed limit or 25 • Approach the intersection in the right lane,
miles per hour, whichever is more and
lanes in the same direction; proceed around the bicycle with at least staying as close as practicable to the curb or
• A roadway with more than one lane is re- three feet between the vehicle and the edge of the roadway;
stricted to one-way traffic. Upon a multi-lane, bicycle at all times. • If there is a bicycle lane on the road on which
two way highway, you must never drive to you are traveling, you must yield to bicyclists
the left of the center line except when au- Passing Motorcyclists traveling straight through the intersection
thorized to do so by traffic control signals A motorcyclist legally occupies the full width before making a right turn;
or signs or when making a left turn into an of a single lane when traveling. When passing a
alley, private road or driveway. motorcyclist, a driver must pass in an adjacent • Make the turn in such a way as to end up in
lane. Drivers are not permitted to occupy the the right lane of the street into which you
Passing On The Right same lane as a motorcyclist while passing them. have turned and avoid entering any other
You may pass on the right of another vehicle Weaving lane of traffic. If there are multiple turning
lanes on the street you are turning from, com-
which is making or about to make a left turn if plete the turn so that your vehicle ends up
there is sufficient pavement width for both your It is unlawful to weave from one lane of traf- in the corresponding lane on the street you
vehicle and the vehicle making the left turn. fic to another in order to move faster than the are turning onto.
You may also pass on the right when traveling flow of traffic. A motorist may change lanes on
on a multi-lane highway carrying two or more a multi-lane highway and pass slower moving How To Make A Left Turn
lanes of traffic in the same direction. vehicles only when it is safe to do so. A driver’s
signaling to change lanes should be clearly in- • Using appropriate signals, and giving drivers
When Someone Passes You dicated so as to warn vehicles of the movement. ahead of and behind you adequate notice,
When a driver behind you is overtaking Turn Signals and activate your left turn signal;
your vehicle, be alert for any unsafe actions Making Turns Safely • Move into the far left lane of the direction in
by the other driver. It is considered courteous which you are traveling, or into the turning
to reduce your speed slightly, making it easier lane if one is provided;
for the other vehicle to pass you. It is unlawful
to increase your speed before you have been Turn movements by motor vehicles are regu- • Keep your wheels straight until you begin
passed completely by the overtaking vehicle. lated by law, and failure to observe or comply is making the turn;
a violation. Drivers must know and under stand
Passing Stopped Cars the law in order to turn safely and avoid crashes. • Yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, includ-
ing bicycles, which are approaching from the
STOP opposite direction, and pedestrians crossing
either roadway;
• When safe to do so, and when traffic signals/
signs permit, make your turn so that your ve-
hicle ends up in the lane closest to the center
lane(s) in your direction of traffic on the street
you turned onto, or closest to the center line
if there is no center lane;
Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit RIGHT TURN • If there are multiple turning lanes on the
a pedestrian to cross the roadway at a marked street you are turning from, complete the
crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at turn so that your vehicle ends up in the cor-
an intersection, the driver of any other vehicle responding lane on the street you are turn-
approaching from the rear shall not overtake ing onto;
and pass the stopped vehicle. When stopping • Once you have entered an intersection to
to allow a pedestrian to cross in front of you, make a left turn, you cannot change lanes
leave sufficient room between your vehicle and in the intersection;
the crosswalk so that approaching traffic can LEFT TURN
see the entirety of the crosswalk. • You must stop and remain stopped for any
Slow down and prepare to stop if you are ap- pedestrians in the crosswalk of the road you
proaching an intersection where other vehicles are turning onto until they have cleared the
are stopped, even though the traffic control de- lanes of traffic that you are traveling on.
vices indicate they are authorized to proceed.
If they are stopped because they are allowing

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