Page 45 - Georgia Department of Driver Services Drivers Manual

SECTION 9 : SHARING THE ROAD

Sharing the Road With Sharing the Road With
School Buses Commercial Motor Vehicles
In most cases, all drivers are required to Commercial motor vehicles are vital to the
stop when approaching or meeting a stopped economy of Georgia and the United States. Most
school bus that has its lights flashing and is of the products used in every day life were
loading or unloading passengers. The exception delivered to stores by commercial motor ve-
to this rule is when highways are separated in hicles. Drivers of commercial motor vehicles are
the center by median strips. In this situation, trained, specially licensed driving professionals.
only vehicles following or traveling alongside Sharing the road with commercial motor ve-
a school bus in the same direction must stop. hicles is a necessary part of travel. Heavy trucks
A warning will be given in advance by the typically weigh 80,000 pounds or more, and driv-
flashing red or amber lights on the front and ers should use caution when driving near them.
rear of the bus. After stopping, you must remain Everyone should be aware of the differ-
stopped until the bus resumes motion or deac- ences between trucks and cars and behave ac-
tivates its warning signals AND all loading or cordingly. These include:
unloading passengers have cleared the roadway.
• A fully loaded tractor-trailer, traveling 55 mph,
needs 3 times the distance a car needs to stop;
GEORGIA FINES & PENALTIES • Large trucks are more difficult to maneuver,
• Mandatory court apearance; • Up to 6 points on driving record; are longer and heavier, and require much

more room to turn;
• Up to $1000 fine; • A conviction under 21 years of

age constitutes license • Large trucks have larger blind spots, called
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.

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