ECA Study Guide — Exam Prep

Pedestrians

Drivers must yield to pedestrians at all crosswalks, marked or unmarked, and whenever there is no traffic control signal. A special right-of-way law requires you to ALWAYS yield to a blind pedestrian using a guide dog or a white/metal cane at a crosswalk, even if traffic signals or other right-of-way rules aren't in their favor.

Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk — there may be pedestrians you can't see.

Over 35% of NYC pedestrian injury crashes happen when a driver is making a LEFT turn — look carefully, and look again, before any turn.

Pedestrians without sidewalks should walk facing traffic, as far from the travel lane as possible.

Always check behind your vehicle (not just mirrors) for pedestrians, especially small children, before backing up.

Bicyclists

Bicyclists have the right to share the road and travel in the same direction as traffic. They must ride in a bike lane if one exists; otherwise, near the right curb/edge (except when turning left or avoiding hazards). Bicyclists and their passengers ages 1–13 must wear an approved helmet.

A bicycle used at night needs a headlight visible from 500 feet (150 m) ahead and a red taillight visible from 300 feet (90 m) behind.

A bicycle horn/bell must be audible from at least 100 feet (30 m) away.

Bicyclists may never carry an infant under age 1 as a passenger; children ages 1–4 must ride in an attached bicycle safety seat.

When overtaking a bicyclist, you must pass on the left at a safe distance, reduce speed (air pressure from a fast-passing vehicle can knock a cyclist off balance), and never move into the same lane space as a bicycle.

Two bicyclists may ride side-by-side in a single lane.

Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers but are far less visible — they are smaller, may appear to move slower than they actually are, and their turn signals often don't self-cancel. Most crashes involving motorcycles happen because the other driver simply did not see the motorcycle. Always check twice for motorcycles before turning, merging, or passing, and never share a lane with one. Two motorcyclists may ride side-by-side in a single lane, but a motorcyclist cannot share a lane with a non-motorcycle vehicle.

Moped Operators

Mopeds ("limited use motorcycles") come in three classes based on top speed.

Class A (31–40 mph): requires a Class M motorcycle license/permit; can use any traffic lane.

Class B (21–30 mph) and Class C (20 mph or less): require any Class D-equivalent license/permit; must stay in the right lane or shoulder (except turning left); helmet/eye protection required for B, recommended for C.

All classes require registration and a headlight on at all times when operating.

Mopeds are not permitted on expressways or other controlled-access highways unless specifically posted.

Large Vehicles

In more than 60% of fatal car/truck crashes, the CAR driver — not the truck driver — contributes to the cause, and the car driver is killed four out of five times. The bigger the vehicle, the bigger its blind spots, the longer it takes to stop, and the more room it needs to maneuver.

Tractors with long hoods can have a 20-foot blind spot directly in front — avoid lingering there.

Large vehicles have deep blind spots on both sides and directly behind ("no zones") — if you can't see the driver's mirror, they likely can't see you.

Never pass a large vehicle that is backing up — wait until it finishes.

Trucks make wide right turns, often moving left first — watch their turn signals, not just their position.

Leave extra space when stopped behind a truck or bus on a hill — it may roll back slightly when starting.

Slow-Moving Vehicles, ATVs, Snowmobiles & Horse Riders