Road usersMexico

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.


37. Road users

Road users are all people who use a road or other part of the public traffic environment. They can include drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, riders and users of other forms of transport.

Different categories of road users may have different rights, obligations and permitted places on the road. Everyone must follow the traffic lights, road signs, road markings, priority rules and instructions from authorised persons that apply to them and should avoid creating danger or unnecessary obstruction for others.

Road users
Two bike-share users riding in a pilot bus-and-bicycle lane. (Mexico City, Mexico)
Wikimedia.org • Fabián Heredia Montiel • CC BY
Who is a road user?

A road user is anyone using a road or another part of the public traffic environment, including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and other permitted users.

Are pedestrians road users?

Yes. Pedestrians are road users even though they are not driving a vehicle.

Are cyclists road users?

Yes. Cyclists are road users and must follow the traffic rules applying to bicycles and cyclists.

Are passengers road users?

Depending on the legal definition used in a country, passengers may fall within the broader concept of people using the public road. Specific traffic obligations, however, often apply separately to drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

Is every road user a driver?

No. A driver controls a vehicle, animal or another legally defined means of transport, while the broader term road user also includes people such as pedestrians.

Do all road users follow exactly the same rules?

No. Different rules apply to different categories. Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and motor-vehicle drivers may have different permitted road positions, priority rules and equipment requirements.

Must road users obey traffic signs?

Yes. Road users must obey the traffic lights, signs and road markings that apply to them.

Must road users obey police officers directing traffic?

Yes. Lawful instructions from police officers or other authorised persons must be followed. In many countries, these instructions take precedence over ordinary traffic signals and rules.

Who are vulnerable road users?

The term commonly refers to road users who have relatively little physical protection in a collision, particularly pedestrians, cyclists, children and certain users with reduced mobility.

What should road users do when traffic rules are unclear?

Proceed with particular caution, observe the other road users and avoid any action that could create danger. Do not assume that another person will give way unless the applicable rule clearly requires it.

Do road users have a responsibility towards each other?

Yes. Road users should behave predictably, respect applicable priority rules and avoid unnecessarily endangering or obstructing others.

1 Mexico 2 Zone 3 Speed limit 4 Pedestrian warning 5 Speed bump 6 Stop sign 7 Give way 8 Railway crossing 9 School area 10 Rockfall 11 Curve 12 Chevron 13 Traffic lights 14 Driving licence 15 Reversing 16 Licence plate 17 Bus 18 Police 19 Ambulance 20 Pothole 21 Path 22 Particulates 23 Air pollution 24 Rush hour 25 Road code 26 Street gutter 27 Cargo bike 28 Forestry vehicle 29 Construction vehicle 30 Semi-trailer truck 31 Trolleybus 32 Speed pedelec 33 Delivery vehicle 34 Idling 35 Tow truck 36 Four-wheel drive 37 Road users 38 Bicycle 39 Motorcycle equipment 40 Rail track 41 Caravan 42 Trailer 43 Tow hitch 44 Fire truck 45 Siren 46 Convoy 47 Emergency vehicle lighting 48 Agricultural machinery 49 Electric bicycle 50 Electric vehicle 51 Pedelec 52 Quadricycle 53 Microcar 54 All-terrain vehicle 55 Van 56 Recreational vehicle 57 Scooter 58 Trikke 59 Personal mobility device 60 Skateboard 61 Segway 62 Kick scooter 63 Roller skates 64 Mailman 65 Hitchhiker 66 Toddler 67 Child 68 Disability 69 Motorail 70 km/h 71 mph 72 Speedometer 73 Ride height 74 Dirt road 75 Driving 76 Start-stop system 77 Manual transmission 78 Automatic transmission 79 Throttle 80 Tachometer 81 Steering wheel 82 Power steering 83 Visual scanning 84 Mirror 85 Fuel 86 Fuel gauge 87 Petrol 88 Diesel 89 Diesel exhaust fluid 90 Car insurance 91 First aid kit 92 Fire extinguisher 93 High-visibility clothing 94 First aid 95 Concrete step barrier 96 Barriers 97 Vehicle lights 98 Street lights 99 Dipped beam 100 High beam ...