Sharing the road in a considerate manner is one of the most important parts of being a driver. Particularly as the weather warms and more people hit the streets, we all have a responsibility to look out for each other – especially regarding motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians. The following will help you understand what you should be doing as a driver to avoid dangerous and potentially deadly accidents.
What can drivers do to be considerate to cyclists?
In addition to taking extra care when following behind bikes, there are additional precautions to consider. Make sure to check before pulling out, especially in your blind spot, and use your turn-signal correctly so cyclists know where you are going. If you need to suddenly change your signal, assume the cyclist has not noticed your change of direction unless you explicitly make eye contact with them. After all, they don’t have mirrors to check.
When stationary, try to avoid parking in bike lanes, which can force a cyclist to move into the road, and can be especially difficult for cyclists who use cleats to keep their feet in the pedals as it might not leave them enough time to do this safely.
Also: Take care when opening your car door, and ask your passengers to check, too. Even on a quiet roads, try to avoid leaving your car door open for too long.
Drivers and pedestrians
Accidents can occur in multiple places on the road and tend to occur as a result of drivers not paying attention or rushing. Accidents can occur as a result of a pedestrian not behaving in a safe manner – like not using a designated crossing or walking in the road – but they still have priority, both in the hierarchy of road users and in the guidance around people crossing the road.
Cars should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross, regardless of whether there is a marked crossing. If someone has started to cross the road, cars turning onto the road should wait and allow them to cross safely. Always check before proceeding.
What can drivers do to be considerate to pedestrians?
Aa driver, you should take due care and look out for suddenly appearing pedestrians around parked cars and services such as ice cream trucks – where children often get excited and can appear in the road unexpectedly.
Similarly, pedestrians can come into the path of cars when getting in and out of vehicles. A technique called the “Dutch Reach” tells drivers leaving vehicles to use their opposite hand to open their door, forcing them to turn and look behind them.
If you encounter pedestrians in the road, be sure to pass by them widely and slowly.
Source: Compare the Market
