Driving is an enormous responsibility. When you grip the wheel you’re holding your own life and the lives of others in your hands. Always obey the rules of the road. Subtract the distractions, especially cell phone use, that take your eyes and mind off the road. And, most importantly, watch for pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles. They have a right to the roadways, too.
Be Safe
Speed kills! Obey all speed limits. A pedestrian hit by a car going 40 mph has an 85% chance of being killed. At 20 mph the risk is reduced to 5%.
Come to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights.
Avoid distracted driving, aggressive driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Be Aware
Signal your turns and look both ways before changing lanes, turning, and at driveways.
Expect the unexpected around curves and over hills where visibility ahead is limited.
Don’t rely on eye contact to confirm that a cyclist or pedestrian sees you. They might not.
It’s safer to assume they don’t see you.
Watch for Bicyclists
Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers, and are allowed to ride in the travel lane.
Expect bicyclists in the travel lane, and let bicyclists ride as far to the right as is safe. Give them space to avoid hazards like potholes, debris, and drain grates.
Keep at least 3 feet of space between your vehicle and a bicyclist – it’s the law.
Be aware of actions that could startle a bicyclist: Don’t blast your horn, don’t pass a bicyclist if you’re immediately turning right, and make sure you won’t cut a bicyclist off before moving back in your lane.
You may cross the center line to pass a bicyclist if it’s safe and does not interfere with oncoming traffic.
Be vigilant at intersections. For left turns, yield to oncoming cyclists. For right turns, always check for cyclists behind you to avoid cutting them off. Assume cyclists are traveling straight unless they signal otherwise or are in a turn lane.
Mind the door zone: Check for bicyclists before opening your car door so you don’t hit them, and open the door with your right hand to force you to look over your left shoulder for bicyclists.
Watch for Pedestrians
Yield to pedestrians at an intersection:
Every intersection is a crosswalk, even if it’s not marked.
Do not stop in a crosswalk.
Be patient: Give disabled pedestrians plenty of time to cross the street. Rushing them endangers their safety.
Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk in the event there is a pedestrian crossing that you cannot see. Stop and proceed when all pedestrians have crossed the street.
Do not drive on a sidewalk, except to cross it to enter or exit a driveway or alley. When crossing, yield to all pedestrians.
(Adapted from Bike Walk CT’s “Give Respect, Get Respect.
Share the Road, Connecticut” www.bikewalkct.org)
This week marks Older Driver Safety Awareness Week. As we age, shifts in vision, mobility and reaction speed can influence driving ability. It’s a time to focus on tools, tips and strategies to help older drivers and their families navigate the road safely and confidently.
Discover more here: ow.ly/HUCQ50UiIjc
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Riding an E-bike, scooter, or other wheels?
⚠ Know the rules of the road: ride as far to the right as safe, obey speed limits, and use hand signals to indicate where you are going if you do not have a turn signal.
⚠ Wearing a helmet is important for bicyclists, but is even more important for e-bike or scooter riders because of the increased speed. No matter how slow you are going, it is not safe to ride an e-bike or scooter without a helmet.
⚠ Watch out for pedestrians and other bikes.
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When's the last time you had your eyes checked? 👀 Even with perfect vision, it's hard to see at night. Remember to stop fully and check for pedestrians before turning right on red!
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Excellent coverage. What a lovely article. Thank you, Lucy!
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342 Lives Lost To Traffic Violence Remembered In Goffe Street Park
www.newhavenarts.org
On the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.👏👏👏City of Norwalk, CT👏👏👏
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Norwalk to design 'pedestrian-first' city with passage of Complete Streets initiative
www.thehour.com
Norwalk's new Complete Street ordinance will promote multimodal transportation, improve accessibility, and is an environmental step, officials say.Have you noticed any Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) in your neighborhood? RRFBs consist of two rectangular flashing lights that are attached to the pedestrian warning sign at some marked crosswalks. The lighting helps increase driver awareness of people crossing.
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Our event was part of a much larger movement across the country. Check out this recap of some of the amazing things that went on elsewhere!
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U.S. Communities Rally for Road Safety: World Day of Remembrance 2024
visionzeronetwork.org
From Milwaukee to Memphis, Las Cruces to Las Vegas, and Wichita to Washington, DC, elected leaders, advocates and people who have lost loved ones in traffic crashes joined forces to urge action to add...... See MoreSee Less