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)
👏👏👏 City of Norwalk, CT👏👏👏 ... See MoreSee Less
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connecticut.news12.com/volunteers-city-leaders-repaint-neighborhood-street-to-enhance-pedestrian-...
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Thanks for sharing!
Bicyclist deaths are highest between June and September, with nearly three quarters of them happening in urban areas. Ride responsibly and remember: all bicyclists are required to follow the same rules and responsibilities as motorists on the road.
#bicyclists #bicyclesafety #roadsafety #PedestrianSafety #safetytips #WatchForMeCT ... See MoreSee Less
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☀️Today marks the summer solstice!☀️
We will have daylight from 5:16am today through 8:28pm. That's a lot of time for drivers and pedestrians to be on the road, so be careful! Drivers, keep a sharp eye out for pedestrians, especially as the sun begins to rise and set, making it harder to see. Pedestrians, be aware of your surroundings and always look both ways before crossing the stre#WatchForMeCTr#DriveResponsiblys#roadsafetya#PedestrianSafetya#JustDriveD#summersolsticestice ... See MoreSee Less
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It's no surprise older pedestrians face a higher fatality risk than younger people. What are you doing to help protect them from crash#PedestrianSafetya#pedestriansr#olderpedestriansr#seniorcitizensi#roadsafetya#WatchForMeCTrMeCT ... See MoreSee Less
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In 2022, more than 67,000 pedestrians were injured in traffic crashes. Here are a few #PedestrianSafety tips to remember when you're driving this season:
✔️ Stay focused on the road
✔️ Slow your speed
✔️ Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
Together, we can make our streets safer for everyo#driversafetya#roadsafetya#pedestriansr#WatchForMeCTrMeCT ... See MoreSee Less
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Helmets save lives! We want to wish Gordon Ramsay a very speedy recovery, and a big thank you for sharing his story. Please, take a moment to watch his video and remember to always wear a helmet when you are biking. ... See MoreSee Less
Gordon Ramsay says wearing a helmet saved his life after bad bike accident in Connecticut
www.nbcconnecticut.com
He went on to praise all of the trauma surgeons, doctors, nurses and other hospital staff who looked after him following his injury.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Happy #fathersday! Let's celebrate the wonderful fathers out there by keeping them safe on the road, so they can have a great day with their childr#WatchForMeCTr#DriveResponsiblys#roadsafetya#PedestrianSafetya#JustDriveDrive ... See MoreSee Less
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As the school year comes to an end, many children will be out and about walking and biking around our neighborhoods.
🚘 Drivers, slow down and be mindful of your surroundings, especially in areas where children are likely to be present.
👨👩👦 Parents, talk to your kids about road safety. Make sure they understand the importance of being focused on their surroundings and following traffic laws.
Let's work together to keep our kids safe as they enjoy their summer bre#PedestrianSafetya#endofschoolyearl#drivesafee#roadsafetya#communityu#WatchForMeCTrMeCT ... See MoreSee Less
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