How To Share The Roadways
Automobiles are not the only thing that can use the roadways. Bicyclists, runners, lawnmowers, walkers, and even unicyclists use the road from time to time. It can be confusing when you see these individuals on the road. This blog will try and give guidance to drivers and pedestrians on how to safely share the road with these other individuals.
Bicyclists will often ride on the road, and they should be traveling in the same direction as the flow of traffic. Just like drivers behind the wheel, bicyclists must obey roadway signs and signals. Bicyclists are often harder to see than cars. It is smart when riding a bike to assume others cannot see you, and don’t let yourself be distracted by music or electronic devices. It is important that when operating a vehicle you are not distracted and wearing the proper sight enhancing devices. bicyclists often avoid riding on sidewalks because sidewalks are for pedestrians.
Pedestrians, when no sidewalk is present, will appear on the road. They should be located walking against the direction of traffic and as far from vehicles as possible. Pedestrians should also follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. They should cross streets at crosswalks because as a driver one looks for pedestrians there. However, many pedestrians do not cross at crosswalks so it is imperative that one is always on the lookout for people crossing the road.
Yearly, about 1,000 cyclists are killed in collisions with vehicles, and in 2022, about 7,500 pedestrians died in traffic incidents. It is imperative that drivers pay attention because a car will crush a human being in an instant. No driver, cyclist, or pedestrian has sole rights to the road. It is a shared space where all have rights and responsibilities.
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