Road Safety Tips

Slow down, wear your seatbelt, and drive sober

General Safety:

  • Slow Down: Reduce your speed, especially in adverse weather conditions or when visibility is limited. 
  • Increase Following Distance: Leave more space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, especially in wet or snowy conditions. 
  • Stay Focused: Avoid distractions like cell phones, eating, and talking with passengers. 
  • Check Your Vehicle: Ensure your tires, brakes, wipers, and headlights are in good working condition. 
  • Turn on Lights: Use low beams in low visibility situations. 

Weather-Specific Tips:

  • Rain: Slow down, increase following distance, and be aware of hydroplaning. 
  • Snow: Carry chains if you’re heading into mountainous areas, slow down, and increase following distance. 
  • Fog: Be extra cautious, use low beams, and ensure your vehicle is as visible as possible. 

Other Important Tips:

  • Avoid Parallel Driving with Trucks: Be aware of the possibility of overturning in high winds. 
  • Obey Signs: Follow speed limits, chain control requirements, and road closures. 
  • Keep Emergency Goods: Have a kit with essential supplies in your car in case you need to pull over. 
  • Avoid Blind Spots: Be aware of the blind spots of other vehicles, especially large trucks. 
  • Make Space for Merging Vehicles: Allow other drivers to safely enter the highway. 

Pedestrian Tips

  • Be Visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night, and carry a flashlight. 
  • Use Designated Areas: Walk on sidewalks when available, use crosswalks, and follow traffic signals. 
  • Walk Facing Traffic: If there are no sidewalks, walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic. 
  • Be Aware: Pay attention to your surroundings; look left, right, and left again before crossing, and watch for turning vehicles. 
  • Avoid Distractions: Don’t walk while looking at your phone or listening to music, and avoid talking or texting while crossing a street. 
  • Be Predictable: Use crosswalks when available, avoid jaywalking, stay sober, and make eye contact with drivers. 

Biking Tips

1. Wear a Helmet:

  • Make sure your helmet is properly fitted: wear it according to manufacturer directions. Helmets provide protection from potentially life-threatening head injuries.
  • By law, all bicycle riders under the age of 18 must wear a bicycle helmet while riding on public roads.Show Citation 2

2. Ride with Traffic:

  • Ride on the right side of the road: This means going in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic.

3. Be Predictable:

  • Ride in a straight line: avoid swerving in and out between parked cars.
  • Use hand signals: Signal your intentions to turn or stop.
    • To signal a left turn, look behind you, over your left shoulder, and then extend your left arm out.
    • To signal a right turn, hold your left arm up with your elbow bent.
    • To signal that you are slowing or stopping, extend your left arm down.

4. Stay Visible:

  • Wear bright clothing: Use bright colors and reflective materials to increase visibility.
  • Use lights at night: Ensure you have a white headlight and red lights or reflectors on the back of your bike, as well as white or yellow reflectors on each pedal or shoe. 

5. Be Aware of Your Surroundings:

  • Look before turning: Always check for traffic behind you before turning or changing lanes. 
  • Watch for parked cars: Ride far enough from the curb to avoid being hit by drivers pulling out or opening doors. 
  • Be alert: Pay attention to traffic, pedestrians, and potential hazards on the road. 
  • Avoid distractions: Stay focused on your ride and avoid distractions like texting or using headphones. 

6. Maintain Your Bicycle:

  • Ensure your bike is in good condition: Regularly check your brakes, tires, and other components. 

7. Additional Tips:

  • Avoid busy roads if possible: If you must ride on busy roads, be extra cautious and aware of your surroundings.
  • Obey traffic laws: Follow all traffic laws, including stop signs, signals, and lane markings. 
  • Give pedestrians the right-of-way: Be courteous and give pedestrians the right-of-way at crosswalks and intersections. 
  • If possible, use bike lanes or designated bike paths: These routes offer a safer environment for cyclists. 
  • Carry identification: Always carry identification in case of an accident.