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Hands On Steering Wheel

Driving Safely

Motorists also need to be educated on safer driving habits to protect people along the roadways. Motorists need to slow down, yield to other road users that may be slower and be aware and look for pedestrians and cyclists to avoid conflict. Remember PEOPLE have just as much right to the road as your motor vehicle.
 
Motor vehicle driving tips near pedestrians

  1. Yield to pedestrians crossing the road whether in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

  2. Don’t stop in or park within 20 feet of a crosswalk – you minimize visibility and create a hazard for people along the roadway!

  3. When turning right, look to your right for pedestrians and cyclists!

    • Too often motorists focus on oncoming traffic from the left before turning.

    • Motorists often proceed without looking where they are actually going and may hit a pedestrian or cyclist also trying to cross the intersection.

    • Obey "no turn on red" signs.

  4. Obey the posted speed limit and SLOW down! Speed is directly related to crash frequency and severity. Most motorists don’t realize driving just 10 mph over the speed limit can mean the difference between life and death for a person out on the roadway. The faster you drive, the higher the fatality rate!

    • If you hit a person at 20 mph, their chances of survival are 95%.

    • If you hit a person at 30 mph, their chances of surviving drop to 55%

    • If you hit a person at 40 mph, their chances of surviving are only 15%


Motor vehicle driving tips near bicyclists

  1. Don’t cut off a bicyclist when you make a right turn.

    • If you plan to turn right or pull into a parking space shortly ahead of a bicycle in front of you, just be patient. Do NOT pass the cyclist and cut them off.

    • Look to your right and avoid cutting off a cyclist on the right side of the road or riding in a bike lane. Motorists entering a right turn only lane need to yield to bicyclists riding in a bike lane or along the right side of the road.

    • Before turning right at an intersection, look to your right for pedestrians and cyclists! Too often motorists focus on oncoming traffic from the left before turning. Motorists often proceed without looking where they are actually going and may hit a pedestrian or cyclist trying to cross the road.

  2. Pass bicyclists only when you can maintain at least 3 feet between the bicycle and your vehicle to avoid blowing the bicyclist out of control or off the road. Truck side mirrors can kill a cyclist.  Watch the Share the Road Video.

    • Be patient and wait until it is safe to pass, as you would any other slow-moving vehicle. Be aware that when a road is too narrow for cars and bikes to ride safely side by side, bicyclists can legally ride in or near the center of the lane for more visibility and safety.

    • Also be aware the cyclist may need more space away from the edge of the roadway as the cyclist picks up speed (such as on a downhill) to safely avoid hazards on the road or shifting wind.

  3. Please don’t honk your horn. You could startle the cyclist into a crash.

  4. Respect bicyclists as legal road users with the same rights and responsibilities as motorists.

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