Pedestrians, cyclists, trucks and trains

Key points

1. There is a crosswalk at every intersection, even if it is not marked.

   Source: Handbook p. 144

   “There is a crosswalk at every intersection, even if it is not marked as such.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 144

2. Stop and stay stopped for a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk, and yield to one in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 144

   “The driver of a vehicle shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross the roadway within a marked crosswalk, and shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 144

3. On a multilane road, stop about 30 feet before a crosswalk so drivers in the next lane can see.

   Source: Handbook p. 145

   “When stopping for a crosswalk on a multilane road, a motorist should stop approximately 30 feet before a crosswalk to avoid blocking visibility of a motorist in the second lane.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 145

4. When passing a cyclist on a single lane road, leave at least 4 feet. If you cannot, slow to 25 mph and be ready to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 145

   “On a single-lane road, drivers must allow at least a 4-foot safety zone when they pass, and (3) If 4 feet is not possible on a section of road, drivers must slow to 25 mph”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 145

5. Stop for a person with a white or metallic cane or a guide dog.

   Source: Handbook p. 146

   “A motorist must stop when he/she sees a person with a white or metallic “colored” cane, or a blind person or instructor with a guide dog.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 146

6. Yield to buses pulling back into traffic after picking up or dropping off passengers.

   Source: Handbook p. 150

   “State law requires all non-emergency vehicles to yield the right-of-way to buses re-entering traffic after dropping off or picking up bus passengers.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 150

7. After passing a truck, do not pull in front until you can see its whole front in your rearview mirror.

   Source: Handbook p. 149

   “Do not pull in front of a truck when passing until the whole front of the truck can be seen in the rearview mirror.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 149

8. Trains always have the right of way, and a freight train at 55 mph can take a mile or more to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 153

   “A freight train traveling at 55 mph can take a mile or more to stop. • Trains always have the right of way.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 153

9. Do not pass other vehicles within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 153

   “Do not pass other vehicles within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.”
   New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 153

10. When approaching or passing a horseback rider or horse drawn vehicle, slow to 25 mph or less.

    Source: Handbook p. 155

    “When approaching or passing a person riding or driving a horse-drawn vehicle, motorists are required to reduce their speed to 25 mph or less and proceed with caution.”
    New Jersey Driver Manual, Handbook p. 155

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the New Jersey practice test

1. 1. At a New Jersey intersection without painted lines, what pedestrian crossing should a driver expect?

   1. Pedestrians have no crossing area until paint is added
   2. An unmarked crosswalk exists at the intersection
   3. Only cyclists may cross without painted markings
   4. The driver may treat the corner as a parking space
   Show answer

   An unmarked crosswalk exists at the intersection. New Jersey recognizes a crosswalk at every intersection, even where pavement markings are absent. That unmarked crossing still requires a motorist to watch for people and yield as the pedestrian law requires. The paint-based option mistakes visibility of the marking for existence of the crossing. A corner with no stripes is therefore not a free pass to maintain speed. Slow your approach, look toward both sidewalks, and be ready to stop before the person enters your path.

2. 2. When a bus is pulling back into traffic from a stop in New Jersey, what should surrounding motorists do?

   1. Force the bus onto the shoulder
   2. Accelerate to pass before the bus moves
   3. Yield to the bus as it re-enters the flow
   4. Yield only if the bus is a school bus
   Show answer

   Yield to the bus as it re-enters the flow. The manual includes buses among roadway users that receive yielding consideration when re-entering the flow of traffic. Accelerating to beat the bus or forcing it toward the shoulder creates the conflict the rule is meant to prevent. The instruction is not limited to school buses. Watch for a bus beginning its departure, ease off the accelerator, and leave room for it to join the lane.

3. 3. What must a New Jersey motorist do when a train is approaching a railroad crossing?

   1. Yield to the train
   2. Rely on the vehicle's size to claim priority
   3. Enter the crossing before the train gets close
   4. Cross if the warning lights are still dark
   Show answer

   Yield to the train. Trains have priority when approaching a railroad crossing, so the motorist must yield and wait for a safe crossing. Vehicle size cannot defeat a train, and dark warning lights do not guarantee that no train is coming. Entering early to beat the locomotive is dangerous because trains appear farther away and move faster than expected. Reduce speed and cross only after warnings clear.

Source: the New Jersey Driver Manual, Chapter 8: Sharing the Road with Others. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.