Trucks, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians

Key points

1. A car at 55 mph can stop in about 240 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “The average passenger car traveling at 55 mph can stop in approximately 240 feet”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 51

2. A fully loaded tractor-trailer may take more than 400 feet to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “A fully loaded tractor-trailer may take more than 400 feet to completely stop”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 51

3. On a level highway it takes three to five seconds longer to pass a truck than a car.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “On a level highway, it takes three to five seconds longer to pass a truck than a car.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 51

4. Never cut in front of a truck. Cutting into the space in front of a truck removes the driver's cushion of safety.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Never cut in front of a truck. Cutting into the open space in front of a truck or bus removes the driver’s cushion of safety.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 51

5. Always take a second look for motorcycles before turning, especially before left turns.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “always take a second look for a motorcycle before turning at an intersection, particularly when making left turns.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 52

6. When turning right, merge with bicycle traffic rather than turning across it.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “A motorist should merge with bicycle traffic when preparing for a right turn. Avoid turning directly across the path of bicycle traffic.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 53

7. Yield to pedestrians at uncontrolled intersections and to those with a WALK signal.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “Drivers must give the right-of-way to pedestrians: 1. At an uncontrolled intersection”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 23

8. If the light changes after a pedestrian enters the crosswalk, still give the pedestrian the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “If the light changes after the pedestrian has entered the crosswalk, still give the pedestrian the right-of-way.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 23

9. Watch for pedestrians with an assistance animal or a white cane, which shows the person may be blind, partially blind or disabled.

   Source: Handbook p. 61

   “Be alert to a pedestrian guided by an assistance animal or carrying a white cane. The white cane indicates the person may be blind, partially blind, or disabled.”
   Texas Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 61

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Texas practice test

1. 1. When may a Texas bicyclist take the full lane instead of riding to the right?

   1. Never
   2. When overtaking another vehicle, preparing to turn left, or avoiding unsafe road conditions
   3. Only on roads posted 30 mph or less
   4. Only at night
   Show answer

   When overtaking another vehicle, preparing to turn left, or avoiding unsafe road conditions. Texas lists situations that allow a bicyclist to take the full lane: overtaking and passing another vehicle going the same direction, preparing for a left turn at an intersection or onto a private road or driveway, and unsafe conditions in the road such as fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, or a lane too narrow to share. Drivers should expect a rider to move left for those reasons and leave safe passing room.

2. 2. How should drivers watch for pedestrians, whether or not the pedestrian has the right-of-way?

   1. Look only for pedestrians at traffic lights
   2. Always remain alert for individuals on foot
   3. Watch only after a horn is sounded
   4. Assume pedestrians will yield to vehicles
   Show answer

   Always remain alert for individuals on foot. The handbook says drivers should always look out for pedestrians whether those pedestrians have the right-of-way or not. A traffic light or horn does not eliminate the need to scan the road, and drivers should not assume a person on foot will yield. Slow near crossings, driveways, transit stops, and crowded sidewalks, and be ready to stop when a pedestrian enters the vehicle path. Alert observation is the first protection for people outside vehicles.

3. 3. Where are in-street pedestrian crossing signs placed?

   1. Only on the right-hand roadside shoulder
   2. In the roadway at the crosswalk on a center line, lane line, or median island
   3. At the nearest railroad crossing
   4. Above the roadway on a traffic signal mast
   Show answer

   In the roadway at the crosswalk on a center line, lane line, or median island. Texas describes in-street pedestrian crossing signs as being placed in the roadway at the crosswalk. Their permitted locations include the center line, a lane line, or a median island. They are not roadside signs on the left or right, and an overhead placement describes a different pedestrian sign. The railroad choice concerns a separate warning system. When driving toward a marked crossing, expect the sign to stand within the roadway and reduce speed for people who may enter the crosswalk.

Source: the Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 9: Some Special Driving Situations. 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.