64 | Driver’s Manual CHAPTER 11 /SHARING THE ROAD PEDESTRIANS AND SKATEBOARDERS BICYCLISTS AND IN-LINE SKATERS Remember to move your eyes as you drive.  Look to either side every few seconds to help  you spot pedestrians near or approaching the  roadway. As a driver, you must learn to safely share the  road with a variety of other users. These include,  but are not limited to: large vehicles, motorcycles,  mopeds, pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skat- ers, roller skaters, skateboarders, slow moving  vehicles, non-motorized scooters and horseback  riders. You should know how to safely manage  the problems they can present and understand  the special rules they must obey. The law requires pedestrians and skateboarders  to: Bicyclists and in-line skaters have the right to  share the road and travel in the same direction  as motor vehicles. They are often hard to see in  traffic and have no protection from a traffic crash.  Check your “blind spots” before you make a turn,  parallel park, open a door or leave a curb. Do not  depend only on your mirrors – turn your head to  look for bicyclists, skaters and scooter operators  that may be next to you or approaching. When you back up your car or truck, look  through your back window for pedestrians. Do  not rely only on mirrors when children are near.  Before you back into a driveway, or out of it, get  out of the vehicle and check behind your vehicle. Look out for children, near schools, bus stops,  playgrounds, parks and ice cream trucks. Pedestrians and skateboarders are at high risk  in traffic. The law requires you to be extra careful  to avoid a collision with them. Pedestrians are supposed to walk on the side  of the road and face the traffic in the lane nearest  them. When you make a right turn, watch for  those pedestrians on your right. When you make  a left turn, watch for pedestrians on the other side  of the road on your left. Pedestrians and skateboarders who are legally  crossing the road or street at marked or un- marked crossings, like at an intersection, always  have the right-of-way. You must decrease your  speed or, if necessary, come to a complete stop.  Elderly and disabled pedestrians can require  additional time to complete their crossings. A special right-of-way law allows blind pedes- trians to go across the road with a guide dog or a  white or metal cane. You must always give them  the right-of-way when they are trying to cross at a  marked or unmarked crosswalk even if the traffic  signals or other right-of-way rules are not in their favor. Give bicyclists and in-line skaters room when  you drive. Reduce speed as you pass them. Air  pressure from a vehicle that passes them quickly  can send them off balance. Be aware that the bicyclist or in-line skater  near or in front of you can react to road hazards  with sudden changes of speed, direction or lane  position. The rules of the road and right-of-way apply to  and protect these and other highway users. You  must yield the right-of-way to them just as you  would to another vehicle. And they must obey the  rules of the road just as motor vehicle drivers do. • Obey traffic and pedestrian signals, traffic  officers and official signs. • Use the sidewalk when available or face traf- fic as they walk, as far from the near traffic  lane as possible. • Never stand in the road to hitchhike or conduct business with motorists.