EXTRA VIGILANCE NEEDED ON BUSY SUMMER ROADS
Drivers, pedestrians, cyclists share burden of keeping streets safe, writes Blair Qualey
Every year in Canada, thousands of cyclists and pedestrians are injured or killed in motor vehicle related collisions and accidents.
These generally increase in the spring and summer months when more people are out walking or cycling.
As the roads get more crowded this season, drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike all have the responsibility to keep our streets safe. Ironically, most collisions occur in intersections or locations where there are traffic signals and during peak rush-hour periods.
For both cyclists and drivers, this means stopping at stop signs, consistently following the speed limit, and always yielding to pedestrians. Those on foot should only cross the street at designated crosswalks and intersections, even if it means walking farther to find a safe crossing.
Any driver knows that pedestrians don’t always cross the street where or when they’re supposed to. For example, a child could chase a ball across the road or a senior could step out from behind a vehicle. In fact, statistics show that seniors over 65 and kids between the ages of five and nine actually have the high- est risk of being hit by a car. As a pedestrian, even if you have the right-of-way at a crosswalk, never assume that a driver can see you. Whether you are driving, cycling or walking it’s critical to make eye contact with anyone you meet at an intersection.
It goes without saying that for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, it’s essential to put the phone away. Distracted driving has now surpassed impaired driving as a leading cause of motor vehicle accidents. For pedestrians, walking across the street looking down at your mobile phone can be deadly too.
Parking lots can be particularly dangerous. Pedestrians, cars, bikes, and shopping carts are everywhere, and it’s not always clear who is going in what direction. According to the U.S.-based Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, 53 per cent of backing-up accidents causing injury take place in parking lots. Always triple check your surroundings in high-risk locations before you switch into reverse.
At night, at dusk, at dawn, or during bad weather, both drivers and cyclists should make sure to use their lights and signals so others on the road know where they’re going. Pedestrians should try to wear bright colours and be as visible as possible to passing vehicles. Rain or shine, drivers need to be especially alert when there’s a biker on the road. Treat cyclists as equals and give them extra space when you are following them.
Finally, people exiting a vehicle should be cautious when opening their doors. Many a biker has been thrown into traffic after hitting a suddenly opened car door at high speeds. Those in the vehicle should check in all directions before they pull the handle, especially if you have parallel parked on a busy street.
Whether you are on four wheels, two wheels, or no wheels at all, pay extra attention this spring and summer as the roads get busier. It’s everyone’s responsibility to keep our streets as safe as possible. Enjoy the ride or the walk!