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Saskatchewan handbook · chapter 2 · 50 min read

Rules of the Road

3. Basic information and rules of the road

The six basic driving conditions

Driver condition Driver condition refers to your physical, mental and emotional fitness to drive. It’s the most important of the six conditions, because a driver in top physical, mental and emotional shape can adjust to all the other conditions and to the errors of other drivers as well.

Vehicle condition Vehicle condition affects your ability to control your vehicle, your ability to see and be seen, and to communicate with other drivers and pedestrians. Your chances of staying out of a collision are better with a vehicle in tip-top condition than they are with one that has operational defects. You are the only one who knows when something isn’t working right. Only you can spot possible vehicle defects and either repair them or get them corrected by a qualified mechanic.

Light condition The first requirement of safe driving is to see and be seen. This ability is affected by light condition. The presence of natural or artificial light; you can have too little light, or too much light. The hazard of too little light is found in the fact that the nighttime fatal collision rate is more than double the daytime rate.

Weather condition Bad weather can affect traction, visibility and vehicle control. Rain, snow and ice make road surfaces slippery. Adverse weather can obscure your vision with rain, snow, fog or road splatter, as well, steam up glass with interior vapour. Other drivers find it harder to see you, and pedestrians hide behind umbrellas so they fail to see cars approaching. High winds make steering difficult and cause vehicles to veer to the wrong side of the road.

Road condition Road condition refers to the total roadway and the type and condition of the road surface. These can affect your ability to steer, stop and manoeuver. Adverse road conditions can be produced by weather. Conditions change from one kind of road to another – from a side street to a thoroughfare, from a secondary road to a main highway, from a two-lane road to an expressway. Any trip may involve a number of different road conditions, each requiring an adjustment in your driving.

3.1 Speeding, stunting and racing

Traffic condition Traffic conditions are created by the number of vehicles and pedestrians using the same road or street at the same time you are, and to a large extent by how well the road has been engineered to accommodate the amount of traffic present at a given time. More cars mean more conflict in traffic and more chance for a collision. Traffic conditions are influenced by the time of day, day of the week, even time of year in the case of holiday periods, and by the nature of the environment, such as a shopping centre, sports arena, factory or school.

3.1 Speeding, stunting and racing There are speed limits on all Saskatchewan roads, streets and highways. Always drive your vehicle within the posted speed limit. Emergency vehicles responding to an emergency may exceed the speed limit. On most provincial highways, and in urban areas, speed limit signs are posted. In the absence of signs, the speed limit is 80 km/h. Most urban centres post speed limit signs at the entrances to the town or city. Those speed limits apply to all locations within community boundaries, unless otherwise posted. The speed limit means the fastest you can travel under ideal conditions. Stunting and racing can have serious and often life-threatening consequences.

Some of the things that could land you a ticket, licence suspension and impoundment are:

The maximum speed limit when passing tow trucks or emergency vehicles that are stopped with their lights flashing or when passing Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure equipment with lights flashing, whether in motion or not, is 60 km/h. Within the work zone (road maintenance areas), motorists are required to slow down and travel no faster than the posted speed. Fines for speeding triple when passing highway workers or equipment occupied by a worker in the work zone. Some cities have bylaws requiring drivers to obey work zone speed limits through the entire construction area. Please be familiar with the bylaws in your area. Drivers are also required to reduce their speed to 60 km/h when passing a tow truck stopped on the roadside with its amber or amber and blue lights flashing while it’s assisting to a disabled vehicle. In school zones drivers must be particularly careful. Each city or town sets speed limits in school zones through local bylaws. As a result, laws vary from place to place so watch for signs. If there are no signs, you should still reduce your speed and proceed cautiously in school zones.

3.2 Distracted driving

Police use photo radar to enforce speed limits in some work zones, school zones and high-risk locations. Photo radar tickets are issued to the registered owner of the speeding vehicle driven through the zone. You must slow down when approaching animals on or near the road. Regardless of the posted or basic speed limit you must never travel faster than conditions allow for safe and reasonable passage. At the same time, travelling too slowly can be hazardous. You should never drive at a speed slow enough to impede or block other traffic, unless proper safety precautions have been taken.

3.2 Distracted driving Always drive with care, attention and reasonable con sidera tion for other road users. It’s illegal for you, or any of your passengers, to perform stunts or other activities that distract, startle or interfere with other road users.

Driver inattention and distraction is responsible for 14% of all collisions. On average, it leads to 19 fatalities a year in Saskatchewan (based on an average from 2019 – 2021).

Driving requires you to do more than two things at once – steering, braking, shifting gears and watching for traffic all occur at the same time. When you add distractions like eating, grooming, talking or texting on cellphones, the results can be disastrous. Drivers should devote their full attention to driving. Some of the most common driver distractions include persons, objects or events outside the vehicle, distraction from passengers, looking for or at something in the vehicle, adjusting radio, climate or vehicle controls, smoking and eating or drinking.

You also shouldn’t distract other road users - deliberately creating loud and unnecessary noise with a motor vehicle is not permitted.

Cellphones Holding, viewing or manipulating a hand-held cellphone or mobile device is prohibited in Saskatchewan. Experienced drivers, who are no longer in the GDL, can use hands- free cellphones if they’re activated with voice commands or one-touch, and are dashboard, visor or cradle mounted.

Note: Hands-free cellphone or mobile devices are prohibited for drivers in the GDL program.

Hands-free use of cellphones while driving is allowed for experienced drivers*, including:

3.3 Stopping and parking • 3.4 Sharing the road

* Experienced drivers are drivers who are not in the GDL program. If you have a previous conviction (within a 12-month period) for using electronic communication devices while driving, or driving without reasonable care or consideration, and receive another ticket for either of these offences, it will result in the vehicle you’re driving to be impounded for seven days, regardless of who the vehicle owner is.

3.3 Stopping and parking You must move as far to the right as possible when stopping on a road.

When stopping on a rural road or highway you must be 30 m (98 ft.) away from any vehicle stopped on the opposite side of the road or highway.

Vehicles stopped on rural roads or highways at night must be marked with flares, hazard lights or reflectors. You must not tamper with the devices used to mark stopped vehicles.

Always come to a complete stop at all stop signs and at railway crossings where signals or gates are activated. After stopping, only proceed from a stop sign, or a railway crossing without gates, when it’s safe to do so. You must also stop when signaled to by a police officer or a flagperson.

If there are painted curbs or signs that prohibit parking please follow them and park somewhere else.

Be considerate of others and your own safety. If you must stop in your lane (possibly due to heavy traffic) always stop behind the crosswalk, before entering an intersection or before a railway crossing so you don’t obstruct pedestrians or other traffic.

3.4 Sharing the road You have to share the road with people who drive a variety of vehicles. The more you know about the particular driving requirements of different vehicles, the better equipped you’ll be to share the road and predict the actions of other drivers.

Sharing the road with large trucks The large truck is a special vehicle. Its motor is not much larger than a large car engine and yet the load it carries can be 50 or more times the weight of a car. When accelerating up to speed, truck drivers use up to 18 gear changes. Once they get into top gear, they do not appreciate having to start again. Therefore, avoid forcing a truck driver to slow down.

3.4 Sharing the road

Large trucks will decrease speed when going uphill. You can expect truck drivers to pick up speed when going down hills to help them get up the other side. Plan your passing manoeuvre accordingly.

It takes longer to stop a large truck than a car, so a truck driver needs a longer following distance to be safe and in control. Don’t cut in front of a large truck immediately after you have passed it.

Truck drivers have problems seeing smaller vehicles. Although they have mirrors that help them to see each side, you may not be visible to the driver if you follow too closely. (Besides, you can’t see anything yourself.) Realize that in poor weather, exterior mirrors become spotted with rain and dirt and the truck driver doesn’t have an interior mirror. Be sure to make yourself visible. Drive with your headlights on.

The driver of a large truck or bus has difficulty turning sharp corners, particularly to the right. If the driver follows the proper procedure, vehicles facing them on the street they are entering should be prepared for the large truck or bus to enter their half of the roadway. If the large truck operator is not following the proper procedure, vehicles on their right in the street they are leaving should stay well back to avoid being crushed between the large truck and the curb. When you see a large truck or bus making a sharp right turn, give it the room it needs.

All drivers should avoid a large truck’s “no-zone.” The no-zone refers to the blindspot areas around big trucks, where crashes are most likely to occur. Just like cars, large trucks have blindspots on both sides, but a large truck’s are considerably bigger. These blindspots can mean trouble if a trucker decides to change lanes and a car is in the blindspot. In addition to the blindspots on the sides of a large truck, drivers should be careful around the front end of large trucks.

Truckers sit up high and the hood of the cab obscures part of the road ahead. This is why when drivers in a car are passing a large truck, they should make sure they can see the entire truck cab in their rear-view mirror before pulling in front. If a car cuts in too soon, truck drivers are forced to react with little time or room to spare. Large trucks also have deep rear blindspots. A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t see the large truck’s mirrors, the truck driver can’t see you.

3.4 Sharing the road

Sharing the road with snow plows • Slow down – STAY BACK and STAY ALIVE when you approach the mini blizzard created by a snow plow. • Every winter, snow plows are hit by motorists who don’t see them or see them too late. The vast majority of these incidents are rear-end collisions where motorists have failed to adjust to changing road and weather conditions. • Snow plow operators are working in difficult weather conditions on the highways to clear snow and ice and make the roads safer for all motorists. • Drivers must slow to 60 km/h when passing snow plows or other highway equipment that are stopped on the highway with blue and amber warning lights flashing. • Snow plows that are in motion, can be passed on the highway if it’s safe to do so. Drivers in this case are not limited to travelling 60 km/h. • Snow plows must travel slower than average traffic when clearing snow and spreading salt and sand. Be patient and proceed with caution. • Ministry of Highways crews clear major highways within six hours of the end of the storm to make winter driving safe. Please give them room to work safely.

Sharing the road with snowmobiles, ATVs and golf carts If snowmobiles and ATVs were always operated according to the law, there would be little chance of conflict with other vehicles on the streets and highways. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

Snowmobiles are difficult to see because they are small and low. These features, accompanied by exposure to weather, also make it difficult for the snowmobile operator to see. As snowmobiles are useful in storms, they’re likely to be out when visibility is poor.

Also, children with little road experience operate snowmobiles and ATVs. When you see a snowmobile or ATV, anticipate that it may cross the road suddenly or go out of control, and decide how you will react.

In some municipalities, local bylaws allow snowmobiles, ATVs and golf carts to be operated on the street.

3.4 Sharing the road

Sharing the road with emergency vehicles All emergency vehicles (fire engines, police vehicles ambulances, and emergency vehicles that have been designated by a municipality or the Highway Traffic Board to be used in response to an emergency) have the right of way when displaying flashing lights and using sirens (sound devices). • When approached by an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing or sirens engaged, you must immediately drive as closely as possible to the right edge of the roadway and not enter the next intersection until the emergency vehicle has passed. The only exception is if a peace officer gives you other directions. On one-way streets, pull right or left to the nearest curb. • At an intersection, you must stop and let the emergency vehicle through the intersection, unless given other directions by a peace officer.

If the emergency vehicle has its lights flashing, but no siren engaged, motorists in the vicinity should extend the same privilege as previously mentioned while meeting or being overtaken by the emergency vehicle.

Sharing the road with farm equipment and overwidth vehicles Saskatchewan’s agricultural base means that farm equipment such as combines, tractors, large cultivators, etc. may be on highways and grid roads from early spring until late fall.

These vehicles create a hazard, as they travel very slowly – 10 to 40 km/h. Therefore, you may come upon them very quickly and you’ll need to stop or change lanes rapidly. Watch for them on the road and only pass them when it’s safe to do so.

3.4 Sharing the road

Sharing the road with school buses School bus drivers have a difficult job. There are plenty of distractions inside the bus. Knowing this, you should make extra allowances, and be aware of the possibility that the bus driver may not see you or your signals. Rear-end collisions are the most frequent type of crash involving school buses and are usually caused by another driver failing to stop while the bus is loading or unloading passengers.

When approaching a school bus, if you see amber flashing lights, slow down and proceed with caution. If the red flashing lights are activated, you must come to a complete stop. If you’re approaching the bus from the opposite direction on an undivided highway, you must also stop. The single greatest threat to the safety of children who ride school buses is motorists who pass the bus when children are loading or unloading.

When approaching a bus that has its stop arm out and its red flashing lights activated, as a driver:

Passing a school bus with red flashing lights is a serious offence and will result in a minimum fine of $360. You don’t have to stop for a school bus if you’re travelling in the opposite direction on a divided highway. Some cities, towns and villages may have a bylaw prohibiting the use of flashing red stop lamps and stop arms on school buses. In those communities you’re allowed to pass the bus. Drivers aren’t required to stop for buses displaying four-way hazard lamps; however, use caution, go slowly and always watch for children crossing .

Sharing the road with motorcycles When a motorcycle and a four-wheel vehicle collide, the motorcyclist is at a high risk for being killed or severely injured. Since motor cycles are more agile than cars, their actions are more difficult to predict and their size makes them hard to see.

Most motorcycles are wired so that their headlights are on at all times, making it easier for you to see them. Be alert for motorcycles that don’t have their headlights on. During motorcycle season, check twice before making a lane change or turn – once for cars and trucks, and once for motorcycles and bikes.

When passing a motorcycle, ensure you leave adequate distance ahead of the motorcycle before you pull back in to the lane. Failure to leave sufficient room can be extremely dangerous for the motorcyclist.

3.4 Sharing the road

The same three-second following distance should be given to motorcycles as is given to other vehicles. Following too closely may cause a motorcycle rider’s attention to be distracted from the road and traffic ahead.

Motorcyclists are allowed to ride two abreast but most riders prefer to have a full lane width. A skilled motorcyclist is constantly changing positions within a lane to increase his ability to see and be seen, and to avoid objects on the road. Never move into the same lane beside a motorcycle, even if the lane is wide and the motorcyclist is riding to one side. It is not only illegal, it’s extremely hazardous. When overtaking a motorcycle or bicycle in your lane, you must pass in the same manner as you would pass a car.

Bad weather and slippery surfaces cause greater problems for motorcycles than for cars. Allow more following distance for motorcycles when the road surface is wet and slippery. These conditions create stability problems.

Being aware of these situations can help you share the road safely with all cyclists.

New motorcyclists are required to display a Motorcycle Graduated Driver Licensing (MGDL) placard on their licence plate identifying them as new riders. Learners are required to display a red ‘L’ placard and Novice riders must display green ‘N’ placards. Please use caution when passing or following a new rider and give them plenty of space.

Sharing the road with bicycles Bicycles are vehicles too and entitled to their share of the road. More people are using them for transportation, recreation, physical fitness, and to reduce emissions. Cyclists must obey the same rules of the road as other vehicles.

Cyclists travelling at a lower speed than other traffic are expected to ride about one metre from the curb or parked cars, or as close as practical to the right-hand edge of the road when there is no curb. • Cyclists are not required to ride close to the right edge of the road when they are travelling at or faster than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place, or when they are turning left, or getting in position to turn left. Bike lanes are reserved for cyclists. Sometimes you will need to enter or cross a bike lane to turn right at a corner or driveway. Take extra care when you do this. Enter the bike lane only after ensuring that you can do so safely, and then make the turn. 3.4 Sharing the road

When you’re sharing the road with cyclists please remember:

Sharing the road with e-scooters (electric kick scooters) E-scooters (also known as electric kick scooters or electric scooters) are known as limited speed motor vehicles and are permitted in communities, towns, or cities that have specific e-scooter bylaws in place. To see if they’re legal in your community, please reach out to your municipality directly. E-scooters don’t need to be registered and don’t require a driver’s licence, but users must be at least 16 years old, wear an approved helmet, follow all municipal laws and provincial regulations and legislation.

If e-scooters are allowed on public roads in a community, motor vehicle drivers and other road users must learn to share the road with e-scooters. It’s important to know the rules within each community that you drive in. For more information on e-scooters, please visit www.sgi.sk.ca/e-scooters or call our Customer Service Centre at 1-844-TLK-2SGI (1-844-855-2744).

Sharing the road with tow trucks and vehicles rendering assistance on the roadside When a vehicle used exclusively for towing or rendering assistance is stopped on a roadside with its amber or amber and blue lights flashing to help a disabled vehicle, drivers must slow to 60 km/h when passing. This does not apply to vehicles travelling in the opposite direction on a divided highway. However, this does apply when travelling in the opposite direction on an undivided highway.

Sharing the road with funeral processions Funeral processions have special privileges and should not be interfered with or interrupted. They must, however, obey all traffic signs and signals – unless all drivers with the right of way stop to permit the procession to proceed.

3.5 The concept of gates

3.5 The concept of gates The concept of “gates” is introduced to help you understand how to deal with vehicles around you.

Imagine four gates surround your vehicle at all times. One gate is located in front of the vehicle, one is behind and one is on each side of the vehicle.

When you’re travelling alone in the centre lane of a road where there are three lanes provided in the direction you’re travelling, all four gates are open to you. This means you can move ahead, slow down and drop back, or move to your right or left, and still continue uninterrupted movement.

If a gate is open you can drive into it whenever you want to. A safe driver always tries to have at least two open gates to provide options for emergency movement.

If a gate is closed – by another vehicle, a curb, a guardrail or even deep snow – you lose the opportunity to move into the area that gate controls.

3.5 The concept of gates • 3.6 Blind spots

Check your mirrors to ensure you know which gates are open. You need to check your inside mirror and your left outside mirror often. When you’re a more experienced driver, start using your right mirror, if you have one.

While you aren’t required to identify a vehicle in detail, you should know whether the rear gate is open so that you could drop back if you wished.

If the vehicle behind you is tailgating, then your rear gate is closed. You need to leave extra following distance ahead to allow room if you have to stop. Increase your following distance to five or six seconds (see “Using time to estimate your following distance,” page 87).

How often you check your mirrors depends upon the number of lanes and the amount of traffic. If you’ve ever been surprised by a vehicle overtaking you, then you’re not looking in your mirrors often enough.

3.6 Blind spots A “blind spot” is an area alongside your vehicle that you can’t see when using any of your mirrors. It’s important to check these blind spots to ensure your side gates are open, particularly if you’re going to change lanes.

A quick glance over your shoulder, or “shoulder check,” can allow you to see the entire side gate area of your vehicle, which could be a blind spot. BLIND SPOT

Shoulder check your blind spot for the gate you’re driving into. For the left side, turn your head left until you are looking along your shoulder. You’re checking to see if there is a vehicle closing your gate. If there is something there, don’t try to move into that space. To check the right side, you need to turn your head to the right.

Watch out for motorcyclists and bicyclists, especially during low light conditions (dusk and dawn) or during periods of inclement weather, as these vehicles are small, fast and very manoeuvrable and may be easy to miss during a shoulder check.

For your own safety and the safety of other motorists, don’t drive in other drivers’ blind spots. Move forward, or drop back, as soon as you notice this situation.

The blind spot can be significantly reduced if your mirrors are properly adjusted (see page 103).

3.7 Directional dividing lines

3.7 Directional dividing lines Yellow directional dividing lines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions.

White line markings are used to separate traffic travelling in the same direction.

Freeway lanes, as well as some city street lanes, which are ending will usually be marked by double wide lines painted on the pavement. If you’re driving in a lane marked with double wide lines, be prepared for the lane to end. You’ll have to exit the freeway, turn at the next intersection, or merge. Look for signs.

Vehicle A may pass if the road is clear ahead and behind.

Vehicle A must not pass or make a left turn between intersections. 3.8 Traffic Lanes

3.8 Traffic lanes On roads with marked lanes, you must travel entirely in one lane. Where there are no lane lines marked, you should travel as if there were markings there. Changing lanes is permitted only when safe to do so.

Where a solid line separates lanes, you may not move across the solid line. The only exceptions are double lines in the centre of a highway where the line nearest you is a broken line (see the preceding illustrations) or centre turning lanes (see page 46).

3.9 Lane position On highways or rural roads, keep to the right of your lane.

In urban areas, you’ll usually drive in the middle of the lane. However, your position in the lane should allow you to see as much as possible.

Your lane position provides information to other drivers. If you intend to turn left, move to the left side of the lane. If you’re going to turn right, move to the right side of the lane, but be careful to leave enough room for passing parked vehicles.

At some intersections, signs or traffic lights indicate two or more lanes may be used to complete a turn. At these locations, you must approach the intersection and complete the turn in the same relative lane position.

3.10 Lane selection Choose the driving lane that gives you the best vision and allows you to keep the maximum number of gates open.

3.10 Lane selection • 3.11 Signalling

It’s not a good practice to drive on the shoulder portion of the road. The area of the roadway to the right of the solid white line is designed for stopped vehicles. As well, the shoulder can be used for emergency manoeuvres, or preparing to make a right turn from a highway. The shoulder is not an extra driving lane. Some highways have rumble strips on the shoulder, and in some cases on the centre line, to alert drivers when they drift out of their lane.

3.11 Signalling You must turn on your signal lights in advance of your turn or lane change. A good rule when driving at speeds under 60 km/h is to signal at least 30 m before turning. At higher speeds, signal at least 150 m from the corner.

When changing lanes, you must signal and do mirror and shoulder checks before you begin to move out of your lane.

If your signal lights or brake lights fail, these hand signals must be used.

Left turn Right turn Stopping or slowing abruptly

Turn signals When you use turn signals, you’re saying, “I intend to turn or change lanes.” If you wait until you’re actually turning or changing lanes before you signal, you’re not telling other drivers what you intend to do. They can already see that you’re turning.

The procedure when you plan to turn or change lanes: 1. Assuming that you know the status of your gates and are properly positioned for the turn, signal. 2. Check your mirror. 3. Shoulder check your blind spot for the gate you are moving into. 4. Start the turn or lane change. 5. Cancel signal once turn or lane change is complete.

If you are approaching an intersection and want to change lanes, complete your lane change and cancel your signal before entering the intersection or wait until you pass through the intersection before turning on your signal and changing lanes. This helps to keep intersections safer and avoid confusion.

3.12 Changing lanes • 3.13 Passing

3.12 Changing lanes The procedure for changing lanes: 1. Determine the need to change lanes well in advance. Make sure you know the conditions of your gate. 2. Signal your intention to change lanes. 3. Check your mirrors to see that the gate is open and that no one else is moving into it. 4. Shoulder check to look for vehicles or obstructions in your blind spot. 5. Look where you want the vehicle to go and steer there. 6. Accelerate gently and steer the vehicle to the position where you’re looking. 7. When you’re almost completely in the new lane, look ahead to the point where you intend to drive and your steering will adjust. 8. Cancel signal. Check the condition of your new gates. Adjust your speed.

When moving through more than a single lane, make the change as one continual action. Only one signal is required, and don’t forget to shoulder check.

3.13 Passing When meeting other vehicles, you must keep to the right of the centre line of the roadway.

Head-on collisions are usually fatal. Driver distraction (e.g., texting/talking on a cellphone, eating, etc.), driver impairment (fatigue, alcohol, drugs) or driver errors, such as faulty judgment or techniques while passing, are often contributing factors in these collisions..

When passing, it’s very important to keep the time spent on the wrong side of the road to a bare minimum.

When passing: 1. Make sure the pass is legal, safe and necessary. Don’t cross solid or double solid yellow lines. Don’t pass on the crest of a hill, before a curve, at intersections or any place where your sight distance is limited. 2. Maintain a minimum three-second following distance between you and the vehicle you are following (see “Using time to estimate your following distance,” page 87). When you decide to pass, accelerate to build up speed before passing. The greater the difference in speed between you and the vehicle you’re passing, the shorter your passing time will be.

3.13 Passing

3. Continue to accelerate throughout the entire pass. Don’t slow down until you’re back in your original lane and well in front of the vehicle you just passed. Keep in mind that it’s illegal to speed even when passing. 4. Wait until you see the vehicle being passed in your inside rear-view mirror before pulling back into your travelling lane. Remember, you must signal, check your mirrors and shoulder check to ensure it’s safe to re-enter your travelling lane.

Note: At high speeds, the lane change is more gradual and takes longer to complete.

When passing other vehicles, you must always pass on the left except:

You may not pass any vehicle that is stopped at an intersection to permit pedestrians to cross.

When being passed on the left by another vehicle, stay to the right of your lane and maintain your speed. Don’t accelerate or obstruct the passing vehicle from returning to the right lane.

Passing Lanes Passing lanes are designed to allow vehicles to pass safely and improve the flow of traffic. A passing lane is an additional lane added to a highway that permits a slower vehicle to move into the right hand lane, while a faster vehicle can pass safely in the left hand lane.

The right hand lane is designated for travel and the left hand lane is only to be used for passing. Maintain your speed when moving into the right hand lane and do not speed up.

Signs will alert you of a passing lane ahead. Have patience, maintain a safe following distance and wait for the passing lane instead of using the oncoming traffic lane, which can be dangerous.

3.14 Bus lanes and bicycle lanes

3.14 Bus lanes and bicycle lanes Major centres often have designated bus and/or bicycle lanes that other motorists must stay out of unless they need to enter them to turn, park or for entering a lane or driveway.

Bus lanes are marked by a lane sign that indicates the time and days of operation of the restriction. The sign has a diamond on it, as well as a bus symbol. In some centres, the lane itself has diamond markings installed in the pavement. On these designated streets, curb lanes are reserved for transit vehicles during the rush hour, or peak driving times. When bus lane hours are in effect, no one is allowed to operate a vehicle, other than a bus or an emergency vehicle, in the designated curb lane, except for the purpose of making a right turn onto, or off of, a street block where a bus lane is in effect. Only buses, emergency vehicles or accessible taxicabs loading or unloading non- ambulatory passengers are allowed to stop in a designated bus lane.

This sign indicates the street you’re turning to has a designated lane.

Bicycle-only lanes are dedicated for cyclists and are similar to bus lanes. Vehicles aren’t allowed in bicycle-only lanes except for the purpose of making a right turn, accessing a parking space or entering a lane or driveway.

3.14 Bus lanes and bicycle lanes

Exclusive bicycle lanes Shared bicycle lanes

Designated bicycle lanes may be exclusive for bicycle use (left) or shared with motor vehicle traffic (right).

Pavement marking may vary between communities.

Shared bicycle lanes A chevron and bicycle symbol designate a shared bicycle or “sharrow” lane.

Sharrows use pavement markings painted on a roadways to encourage cyclists and motorists to share the lane. They are generally intended for use on roadways with lanes that are wide enough for side-by-side bicycle and vehicle operation. However, motorists should always pass cyclists at a safe distance and should not assume that the sharrow indicates that they can pass within the travel lane. Depending on the positioning of the cyclist, it may be necessary to change lanes in order to pass safely.

Sharrows do not designate a bicycle lane and should not be treated as such. While some cyclists will ride down the centre of the arrow, in many locations, the sharrow marking simply indicates cyclists and motorists are to share the lane and isn’t an indication of where a cyclist rides within the lane.

3.15 Turning

3.15 Turning

Right turns When approaching an intersection or driveway that requires a right-hand turn, move as close to the right curb or right edge of the road as possible.

General procedure: 1. Plan your right turn well in advance. Signal, check your rear gate and check your blind spot. When safe, move as close to the right as possible. 2. Check for traffic, pedestrians and other real or potential hazards in or near the intersection. A basic left, straight ahead, right, left sweeping pattern will be sufficient. 3. Slow down (shift to a lower gear if driving a manual transmission vehicle). Maintain a suitable speed throughout the turn to allow for proper vehicle control and avoid obstructing traffic. 4. Check again for real or potential hazards. 5. If there are no real or potential hazards, complete your right turn into the first available driving lane.

See page 79 for rules regarding turning right on a red light.

3.15 Turning

When a vehicle is parked in the lane closest to the right curb and near the intersection, the driver must move into that lane at the first opportunity before turning, keeping as close to the right curb or edge of the road as possible.

Drivers may not make turns from the main driving lane.

3.15 Turning

Left turns Left turns are more dangerous than right turns because you have to cross traffic coming from at least two directions. This means that your searching pattern is very important and you should continue to search as you cross the intersection. When you intend to turn left across the path of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, you must yield the right of way to the oncoming vehicle. When making a left turn, you must approach the intersection and complete the turn in the left-most lane available for your direction of travel.

General procedure: 1. If a lane change is required, decide well in advance to make your left turn. Signal and check your rear gate and blind spot to see if there is a vehicle close to you. Move safely into the left side of the left lane. 2. Check for traffic, pedestrians and any other real or potential hazards that may be in or near the intersection. Use the basic left, straight ahead, right, left sweeping pattern. 3. Slow down (and shift to a lower gear if you are driving a manual transmission vehicle). 4. Check again for real or potential hazards. Watch out for motorcycles when completing a left turn. Motorists failing to identify oncoming motorcycles when making a left turn is a significant contributing factor in collisions involving motorcycles. 5. If you have to stop in the intersection to wait for oncoming traffic, be sure to keep your vehicle parallel to the lane and your front wheels straight. That way if you’re hit from behind, you will not be pushed in the path of oncoming traffic. 6. If there are no potential hazards, complete your left turn into the first available driving lane.

3.15 Turning

A left turn from a one-way street to a two-way street should be made as close as possible to the left edge of the roadway. If there are no cars parked in the curb lane, you can move into that lane in advance of the corner. If there is a car in the curb lane, be sure the driver is turning and not pulling over to park before entering the lane.

When you make your turn onto the two-way street, enter into the lane immediately to the right of the centre line.

3.15 Turning

For a left turn from a one-way street to a one-way street, start the turn from the left edge of the roadway and complete the turn in the left-most driving lane.

When a vehicle is parked in a lane closest to the left curb and near the intersection, the driver must move into that lane at the first opportunity before turning.

For a left turn from a two-way street to a one-way street, turn from the lane next to the centre line and enter the one-way street into the left-most driving lane.

3.16 Centre turning lanes

3.16 Centre turning lanes This sign indicates a two-way left turning lane. These are used in many communities, especially larger centres, to improve traffic flow and to allow for easier access to properties in mid-block.

The diagram indicates the correct turning procedure. Here are some other points to keep in mind when using centre turning lanes:

3.17 Right of way

Uncontrolled intersections At an intersection where there are no stop signs, yield signs, traffic lights or police directing traffic, and two vehicles arrive at the intersection at approximately the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield the right of way to the driver of the vehicle on the right.

This rule also applies to T-intersections.

3.17 Right of way

When turning left, you must yield the right of way to any vehicles coming toward you if they are close enough that your turn would interfere with them.

When entering a provincial highway from any other road, you must yield the right of way to any vehicles travelling on the provincial highway and to any pedestrian closely approaching the intersection.

3.17 Right of way

When entering a street, road or highway from a private road, lane or alley, you must yield the right of way to any pedestrians on the sidewalk and to any vehicles on the street, road or highway.

Controlled intersections At any intersection where a yield sign is present, drivers facing the sign must yield the right of way to any other motorist approaching the intersection.

At three and four-way stops, courtesy dictates that the first vehicle that stops should be given the right of way. The remaining three then yield the right of way to the driver on their right.

At two-way stops, vehicles must remain stopped until all cross traffic passes. When two vehicles arrive around the same time to the opposite stop signs and one of the vehicles is turning left, the driver turning left must yield the right of way to the driver going straight. If it’s safe, the vehicle turning left can go next, even if another vehicle arrives in the meantime, and plans to go straight. The left turning vehicle can turn left while the next vehicle advances to the stop line. This keeps traffic flowing. When opposing vehicles are both going straight, the drivers can proceed at the same time.

In any case, if you’re at a stop sign you must yield to vehicles and pedestrians and may not proceed until it’s safe.

All drivers have a moral and legal responsibility to avoid collisions. If you have the right of way at an intersection and a driver refuses to yield to you, you’re responsible from a safety standpoint to avoid a collision, rather than insist upon your right of way. Don’t forget the old adage – “You could be right – dead right.”

3.17 Right of way

Construction or maintenance vehicles At all times, you must yield the right of way to any highway construction or maintenance vehicles that have their warning lights flashing.

Zipper merge When a lane is closed in a construction zone, you might need to make a zipper merge. A zipper merge means drivers use both lanes of traffic until the lane ends, and then alternate in “zipper” fashion into the open lane. Vehicles in the lane that’s ending must signal, shoulder check and merge when safe, while each driver in the continuing lane should let one vehicle in. Sometimes both lanes are merging into a new lane and drivers in both lanes must signal, shoulder check and take turns merging when it’s safe.

Zipper merging is beneficial because it makes traffic flow more quickly and efficiently for drivers in both lanes. It also creates a sense of fairness and equity since all lanes are moving at the same rate. Zipper merging also helps reduce:

Always pay attention and follow any posted signs you see in a construction area. Zipper merge signs may not always be present, but zipper merging is allowed and recommended in construction zones.

Remember to be courteous, merge when safe and you’ll zip through quickly. 3.18 Stopping positions

3.18 Stopping positions There are several different situations you may see when preparing to stop at an intersection with a stop sign or traffic light. Where you should stop and your stopping position, is determined by markings on the road. You must stop:

At the nearest crosswalk, whether marked or not. At a clearly marked stop line. Where there is no stop line, sidewalk or crosswalk:

Behind the clearly marked X.

3.19 Interchanges

3.19 Interchanges

Roundabouts In a roundabout, the vehicle on the right must yield to the vehicle on the left.

In the diagram, traffic indicated by red arrows in yellow lanes must yield to traffic indicated by white arrows in green lanes. Traffic entering the roundabout must yield to traffic in the roundabout.

In this diagram:

When you’re leaving the roundabout use your right-turn signal to warn other drivers of your intention to exit.

It’s recommended that for safety, entry into the right lane be used mainly when intending to exit at the first available exit point. If you are intending to proceed beyond the second exit, you should drive in the left lane.

3.19 Interchanges

Diverging Diamond Interchange A diverging diamond interchange is new to Saskatchewan, but is gaining popularity across North America. This type of interchange is designed to improve safety and reduce delays by maintaining the flow of traffic. The key feature of this type of interchange is that traffic on the overpass crosses over to the opposite side of the road at one traffic-signal controlled ramp and then returns to the proper side at the next traffic-signal controlled ramp. The crossover allows higher volume left-turn traffic to proceed with little disruption or interruption.

When you encounter this type of intersection:

Traffic going straight

3.19 Interchanges

Traffic turning left

Traffic turning right

3.19 Interchanges

Restricted Crossing U-Turn The Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) intersection (also known as a reduced conflict intersection) is designed to decrease collisions caused by motorists attempting to cross a four-lane divided highway.

At an RCUT intersection, drivers always make a right turn, followed by a U-turn. Motorists approaching a divided highway with an RCUT intersection are not allowed to make a left turn or drive straight through to cross the divided highway. Instead, drivers must do the following:

1. Using the entrance ramp, make a right turn into the acceleration lane to enter the highway. 2. When it is safe to do so, signal, check your mirrors, shoulder check and change lanes into the far-left lane to enter the U-turn lane.

3. Complete the U-turn into the acceleration lane going the opposite direction. 4. When it is safe to do so, signal, check your mirrors, shoulder check and change lanes into the far right driving lane to continue straight or into the far right turning lane to complete a right turn. 5. Remember to shoulder check when changing multiple lanes.

3.20 Highways • 3.21 Pedestrians

3.20 Highways

Driving to the left of centre You may not drive to the left of the roadway centre on two-way streets, roads or highways unless it’s safe and there’s no traffic approaching.

One-way highways You may not travel in the wrong direction on a one-way highway.

Divided highways Travel in the right hand driving lane and only use the left lane for passing, turning left or emergency manoeuvers.

Controlled access highways In the case of controlled access highways or freeways, you may not enter or leave except at the exit or entrance provided.

3.21 Pedestrians When approaching an intersection, you must yield the right of way to any pedestrians who are crossing the street.

You must stop your vehicle before the crosswalk, which will either be painted on the road or be an imaginary extension of the sidewalk. If a traffic light changes while a pedestrian is in the crosswalk, the pedestrian has the right of way.

You must stop your vehicle when directed to do so by a school crossing guard controlling a crosswalk.

You may not pass any vehicle that is stopped at an intersection to permit pedestrians to cross.

As a pedestrian, you must not attempt to cross at an intersection unless you have given motorists a chance to stop.

Pedestrians walking along a road should walk on the left shoulder, facing oncoming traffic.

Note: Pedestrians also include persons in wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and medical scooters.

Jaywalkers Jaywalking is when a pedestrian crosses a roadway in violation of traffic laws, typically when crossing outside of a marked or unmarked intersection. You must always be prepared to stop if you see a pedestrian who is about to step out in front of you. But don’t encourage jaywalking by stopping and inviting pedestrians to cross. The car behind you may not be expecting you to stop and may collide with you. Also, drivers in the other lanes might not see the pedestrian crossing in front of your vehicle and may hit them.

3.22 Crossing urban streets • 3.23 Wheelchairs and medical scooters

3.22 Crossing urban streets You may drive across a street only at an intersection, lane or alley.

Note: In some cities, crossing a street at a lane or alley is prohibited by a local bylaw.

3.23 Wheelchairs and medical scooters The rules of the road that apply to pedestrians also apply to persons using a wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or medical scooter for medical reasons.

When approaching an intersection, you must yield the right of way to any person crossing the street who is using a wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or medical scooter. This does not apply to wide streets if the person in the wheelchair is at a safe distance from your side of the street.

You must stop your vehicle before the crosswalk, which will either be painted on the road or be an imaginary extension of the sidewalk.

You may not pass any vehicle that is stopped at an intersection to permit persons using wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs or medical scooters to cross.

Persons in wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs or medical scooters must not attempt to cross at an intersection unless they have given motorists a chance to stop.

The sidewalk should always be the first choice while using a wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or medical scooter. When there is no wheelchair accessible curb, get onto the sidewalk using the first available driveway.

Like pedestrians, persons using wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs or medical scooters travelling along a road where no sidewalk exists should travel on the left shoulder, facing oncoming traffic. Wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs or medical scooters should also have a brightly coloured flag attached to increase visibility to motorists.

3.24 Motorcycles • 3.25 Medians

3.24 Motorcycles Although two motorcycles are permitted to drive in the same traffic lane, it’s not recommended practice to operate directly alongside another motorcycle.

Motorcycles may not travel beside any other type of vehicle in the same lane.

Drivers and passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet. If the motorcycle does not have a windshield that deflects the air stream away from the driver’s face, drivers and passengers must wear safety glasses, a face shield or goggles.

For further information, refer to www.sgi.sk.ca/motorcyclehandbook.

3.25 Medians Where a median, boulevard or ditch divides a road, you may not drive on the left side of it. You may not cross any median, boulevard or ditch except at an intersection or where a cross-over is provided.

3.26 Parking lots

3.26 Parking lots Many rules of the road that apply to highways and streets also apply to parking lots, such as speed, traffic control signs, following too closely, proper turns, signalling and backing.

When parking lanes and/or passageways intersect in a parking lot and don’t have yield or stop signs, treat the area as an uncontrolled intersection - you must yield to the vehicle on the right.

In some areas there are main roadways that provide access to one or more parking lots – these are called thoroughfares. Thoroughfares lead into, through or out of a parking lot and aren’t used for vehicle parking. Parking lanes and passageways within a parking lot must yield to thoroughfares.

In the above illustration:

3.27 Headlights

3.27 Headlights It’s advisable to have your lights on at all times because studies show that vehicles driven with lights on at all times are much less likely to be involved in collisions than those operated with their lights on at night only.

The law requires the use of headlights from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise, and at any time when visibility is poor.

Note: Some vehicles do not have tail lamps on when daytime running lights are being used. Always ensure you turn your headlights on at night, as it’s dangerous to operate a vehicle at night without them or your tail lamps illuminated.

When using high beams, you must dim your headlights at least 200 m (650 ft.) in advance of oncoming vehicles and keep them dimmed until the vehicle has passed.

Many drivers make the error of dimming their headlights too soon for oncoming vehicles. For example, when driving at 100 km/h, you may not have to dim your high beams until the approaching vehicle is about seven to eight seconds away from you, but a realistic approach is to dim your lights between nine and 12 seconds away.

While you need to see the road, you shouldn’t blind the oncoming driver with the glare of your lights. You may find that some drivers approaching you will signal you to lower your lights while they are up to 20 seconds away. This applies to vehicles you are meeting and vehicles you are following. To avoid blinding other drivers, make sure your headlights are properly adjusted and are in working order. Low beams

3.28 Night driving and low visibility

Also, turn off any spotlamps at least 500 m (1,640 ft.) in advance of an oncoming vehicle and keep them turned off until the vehicle has passed.

You don’t need to dim your headlights for oncoming traffic if you’re driving on a divided highway where the distance between the roadways is 22 m (70 ft.) or more (the distance is measured from left shoulder marking to left shoulder marking in each direction of travel).

You must keep your headlights on low beam within 100 m (330 ft.) and keep any spotlamps or auxiliary driving lights turned off within 500 m (1,640 ft.) when you’re following another vehicle, or when you’re being passed.

If you’ve been driving in the dark for a while, you will need up to five seconds to recover from the glare of oncoming lights. This glare recovery time tends to increase with age to the point where it sometimes takes up to 25 seconds to recover. If you suspect you have a glare recovery problem, check with an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

3.28 Night driving and low visibility Driving at night is difficult because the area illuminated by your headlights is not all you need to see. Motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians and wildlife are particularly difficult to see under these conditions — watch closely for them. If street lamps provide overhead lighting, you can see well ahead. If not, you must rely on your headlights. While driving at night, you should be able to see about 12 seconds travelling distance in front of you. This means that most of the time, you should be using your high beam headlights and be looking beyond the part of the road illuminated by your lights.

To reduce glare from other vehicles or lights to the rear, adjust your mirror or use a day-night mirror turned to “night.” Dimming the dash lights will also improve your ability to see the road.

3.29 Choosing the right speed

3.29 Choosing the right speed Driving without a full 12 seconds of view ahead means you are over-driving your headlights. This means by the time your headlights illuminate an object on the road you’ll be unable to stop before hitting it. This makes it critical to use all the other information available.

Pay attention to other vehicles on the road, which can give you clues.

If you can see the rear lights of the vehicle in front, you can be sure that no large object is between the two of you.

The most important action that you can take at night is to slow immediately when you detect something on the road ahead. Don’t wait until you can see the object clearly – by that time, it will probably be too late to stop. As soon as you see something on the road, use your brakes so that you are slowing down while identifying what it is. You’ll then have more time to stop or change your direction if the need arises.

3.30 Rules related to vehicles

3.30 Rules related to vehicles • Tampering with a vehicle without the owner’s permission is not permitted. • Climbing into or on a vehicle without the owner’s permission is not permitted. • Throwing objects at a vehicle is not permitted. • You may not watch a television, video screen or computer screen when driving unless the information displayed is solely designed to assist you in the safe operation of the vehicle. • All material carried on a vehicle must be securely contained or tied down so that it cannot fall off the vehicle. • Damages resulting from any of the above infractions may have to be paid for by the offender. • Unless you are riding in or on the vehicle, you must not hold onto a moving vehicle. • Passengers may not ride in or on a trailer. • The use of hand-held cellphones while driving is prohibited, (see page 23). • No one may ride on the exterior of a vehicle unless there is a space designed for passengers. This does not apply to construction, main tenance, firefighting, police or parade vehicles. • Passengers are not permitted to ride between the driver and the driver’s door. • Passengers must not crowd the driver. • Drivers must have a clear view of the road to the front, sides and rear. Aftermarket tinting is not allowed on the windshield or front side windows. • No pedestrian, passenger or driver shall perform any stunt or activity that is likely to distract, startle or interfere with any other user of the road. • Dropping burning material that could start a wildfire or items that could damage tires onto a road is not permitted. • Vehicles must display a valid licence plate firmly secured to the rear of the vehicle and not obstructed in a manner that prevents the plate from being read or accurately photographed by a red light camera.

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Traffic Signs and Signals