You share the road with users who are smaller, slower, or more exposed than a car, and the law gives them extra protection.
- Cyclists: when passing a cyclist you must leave at least one metre of space where practical; failing to do so brings a fine and two demerit points. Cyclists may use a full lane, and you should check mirrors and blind spots before opening a door so you do not "door" a passing cyclist.
- Pedestrians: stop and yield the whole roadway at pedestrian crossovers and marked crosswalks until the person has finished crossing.
- School buses: when a stopped school bus has its upper red lights flashing or its stop arm out, vehicles in both directions must stop. The exception is a divided highway, where only traffic following the bus must stop. If you are approaching from behind, stop at least 20 metres back. (Flashing amber lights mean the bus is about to stop. Slow down and prepare.)
- Motorcycles: allow them a full lane and more following distance; they are harder to see and can stop quickly. Their signals may not cancel automatically, so do not assume a turn.
- Large vehicles: trucks and buses have large blind spots ("no-zones") on the sides and behind, need more room to stop and turn, and may roll back when starting on a hill. Do not crowd them or cut in front.
Common mistake: passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights from the oncoming direction on an undivided road. Both directions must stop unless a median physically separates the roadways.
🧠 Memory hook, "red lights, both sides": a school bus's flashing red lights stop traffic from both directions on an undivided road.
Recall: When must oncoming traffic stop for a school bus? How much space should you leave when passing a cyclist?