As a car driver, you might always try your best to look out for pedestrians, cyclists or other travelers, but you find comfort in the fact that they are also aware of their surroundings. And vice versa might be true for those who don’t travel by four wheels.
Unfortunately, accidents between commuters who transport different ways happen far too often. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a combination of over 12,000 bicyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists died in collisions across the country in 2018.
Here are some ways commuters can both share the road and be more mindful of one another:
- Manage distractions: Whether you are unicycling or driving in your trusty truck, your daily commute or leisurely trek isn’t the time and place to send texts or scroll through social media. Texting while driving is unlawful. But there are other distractions you can engage in while on the road that laws don’t prohibit, like eating, fixing your hair or changing up your music. Either way, it’s crucial to keep any distractions on the road to a minimum. Plus, if you ever feel like you must take a phone call that will distract you or can’t keep biking until you push your hair back, then you have the option to pull over if the road allows.
- Dress the part: Accidents often happen on the road simply because one party did not see the other. Pedestrians and all types of cyclists can help motorists out by wearing bright or reflective clothing. Decking out your bicycle with front and back reflectors or lights is also important, because many fatal bike accidents happen when a bicyclist is rear-ended. Also, when you are operating a motorcycle or bicycle, strapping on a helmet could be the difference between life and death.
- Look around: When you were younger, you probably learned to look both ways before crossing the road. Keeping that mentality and implementing a double- or triple-check system before changing lanes or using crosswalks can help prevent accidents. Especially, because even experienced motorists disobey right of way laws or refuse to check blind spots before making sudden movements.
Even after thoughtful efforts to be safe on the road, accidents still happen. If you or a loved one is suffering serious injuries from a traffic collision, then an experienced personal injury attorney can help you receive the compensation you need to recover.
