As Schools Start | Walk, Drive and Bike Safe Reminder

Safety tips for pedestrians, drivers, and bicyclists

The start of school means an increase in bicycle, pedestrian, and motor vehicle traffic. This week, many students will start back to school and, as a result, traffic will increase. The Minnesota Department of Transportation suggests that all three types of traffic implement a few safety tips to keep the roads safe for everyone.

Last year, there were two major factors for crashes between pedestrians and motor vehicles. The first major cause of crashes between pedestrians and motor vehicles is the failure for cars to yield to pedestrians underground utility location companies. The second major cause of crashes was distracted driving.

In light of these statistics, pedestrians should be sure to use crosswalks and to avoid walking in the road. Always try and stick to sidewalks. If there is no sidewalk, then pedestrians should walk towards traffic. Pedestrians should avoid walking with their back to traffic. When crossing the street, pedestrians need to look left, right, then left one more time before beginning to cross the streets.

Bicyclists also carry a responsibility to ride safely. One third of all bicycle crashes occur during rush hour. Rush hour is generally the times between 3 PM to 6 PM. Last year, the two major factors that led to crashes where bicycles were at fault were failure to yield to cars and ignoring traffic signals.

Bicyclists should learn hand signals so that they can signal to motorists their intentions. In addition, bicyclists are required and should follow all traffic signals. Bicycles follow the same laws as cars. In addition, bicycles should wear helmets and reflective or bright colored clothing in order to be more visible to drivers.

Finally, motorists need to be aware of their surroundings and keep distractions to a minimum. This means drivers should avoid distractions like texting while driving, eating, drinking, and talking on their cell phones. Drivers need to be aware of pedestrians attempting to enter the cross walk. Especially around schools, drivers should be on the lookout for children attempting to cross the road and utility workers on-site. Motorists are required to stop for pedestrians using the crosswalk. In addition, motorists need to give at least a three foot clearance to bicyclists and yield to bicyclists while making a right to left turn.