Spring Safety Reminders
Spring Safety Reminders
No one loves a beautiful spring day more than Iowans! Warmer temps bring us outdoors to enjoy walking, running, riding bicycles and more.
As you are out traveling and enjoying the weather, please remember safety is a shared responsibility for all road users, including drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The following are some tips to improve road safety for everyone.
Safety Tips for Drivers:
• Be alert for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk. When approaching a crosswalk, reduce your speed and be prepared to stop.
• Before making a turn, look in all directions for pedestrians crossing.
• Look carefully behind your vehicle for approaching pedestrians before backing up.
• Never pass or overtake a vehicle that is stopped for pedestrians.
• Look for oncoming cyclists before opening your car door after parallel parking.
• Animals are also active in the spring. Be alert for deer crossing streets, especially at dawn or dusk.
Walking/Running/Biking Safety Tips:
• Wear bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials.
• Use crosswalks when crossing the street. If a crosswalk is unavailable, be sure to find the most well-lit spot on the road to cross and wait for a long enough gap in traffic to make it safely across the street.
• Walker and runners should stay on sidewalks whenever possible. If a sidewalk is not available, be sure to walk on the far side of the road facing traffic. This will help increase your visibility to drivers.
• Put down your phone. Smartphones and handheld electronic devices take your eyes off of the road and distract your attention.
• Don’t wear headphones so you can hear what is happening around you.
• Carry a flashlight and cross in well-lit areas when walking at night.
• Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.
• Obey all traffic laws.
For more safety tips and traffic law information visit the link below:
http://www.cedar-rapids.org/…/depar…/police/bicycle_laws.php
