California Driver Handbook
Sharing the Road with Other Vehicles
Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleys
Do not drive through a safety zone, which is a space set aside for pedestrians and marked by raised buttons or markers on a roadway.
When people are boarding or leaving a streetcar or trolley where there is no safety zone, stop behind the vehicle’s nearest door or vehicle platform and wait until the people have reached a safe place.
When a bus, streetcar, or trolley is stopped at a safety zone or at an intersection where traffic is controlled by a police officer or traffic signal, you may pass, as long as it is safe to do so, and at no more than 10 mph.
Do not overtake and pass any light rail vehicle or streetcar on the left side, whether it is moving or standing.
Exceptions:
- When you are on a one-way street.
- When the tracks are so close to the right side that you cannot pass on the right.
- When a traffic officer directs you to pass on the left.
Safety Zones are marked by dotted white lines
Light Rail Vehicles
Light rail vehicles have the same rights and responsibilities on public roadways as other vehicles. Although everyone must follow the same traffic laws, light rail vehicles, because of their size, require exceptional handling ability.
Safely share the road with light rail vehicles by:
- Being aware of where light rail vehicles operate. Buildings, trees, etc., cause blind spots for the trolley operator.
- Never turning in front of an approaching light rail vehicle.
- Maintaining a safe distance from the light rail vehicle if it shares a street with vehicular traffic.
- Looking for approaching light rail vehicles before you turn across the tracks. Complete your turn only if a signal (if installed) indicates you may proceed.
Do not turn in front of light rail vehicles
NOTE: Light rail vehicles can interrupt traffic signals, so do not proceed until the signal light indicates you may.
Emergency Vehicles
You must yield the right of way to any police car, fire engine, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle using a siren and red lights. Drive as close to the right edge of the road as possible and stop until the emergency vehicle(s) has passed. However, never stop in an intersection. If you are in an intersection when you see an emergency vehicle, continue through the intersection and then drive to the right as soon as you can and stop. Emergency vehicles often use the wrong side of the street to continue on their way. They sometimes use a loud speaker to talk to drivers blocking their path.
You must obey any traffic direction, order, or signal by a traffic or police officer or a fire fighter even if it conflicts with existing signs, signals, or laws.
It is against the law to follow within 300 feet of any emergency vehicle which is answering an emergency call.
If you drive for sight-seeing purposes to the scene of a fire, accident, or other disaster you may be arrested. Casual observers interfere with the essential services of police, fire fighter, ambulance crews, or other rescue or emergency personnel.