Summer is here: that might not necessarily mean we are experiencing continuous sunshine or the warmest of weather, but it is definitely the season when kids enjoy their longest school break. As a consequence this is generally a busy time on the roads as people are either driving to their holiday destination or around the local area once they arrive; there is also a marked increase in the number of cyclists.
We need to attune our driving habits to the “summer scenario”, so here are some general summer road safety tips, some for drivers and some more specific to cyclists (who are particularly active during this time of year). Many accidents occur in the summer so it is never a bad thing to remind ourselves to pay particular attention to the road during this period.
As the driver you alone are responsible for practising safe driving habits and guaranteeing not only your safety but that of your passengers and other road users as well, so make sure you follow these basic road safety rules:
1 - Drive at a safe speed—speed is one of the primary causes of incidents.
2 - Respect distances by leaving yourself at least three seconds behind vehicles you may be following.
3 - Pay special attention to other road users such as:
- Kids who are on summer vacation.
- Motorcyclists and cyclists who can be easily hidden among other vehicles.
- Workers operating in construction zones and on the public highway.
- Other drivers that may be driving erratically.
4 - Eliminate distractions—we often talk about drivers’ distraction as a contributing factor in the occurrence of accidents.
Cycling: cyclists are entitled to road space as much as cars, vans, goods vehicles or indeed any other vehicle on the road. Drivers should share the roads safely with cyclists, who are especially vulnerable road users.
Drivers need to properly observe the road at all times and alert to the presence of cyclists, be they commuters, shoppers, families or racing groups.
Some pointers to remember:
• anticipate cyclists at junctions and check the various driver blind spots;
• also check mirrors and blind spots when getting out of a parked vehicle to avoid the risk of ‘dooring’ a cyclist who might be passing by;
• allow plenty of space when overtaking a cyclist, particularly when they are cycling in groups or two abreast;
• be respectful of cyclists and mindful of how they use the road. We all share the road, and if we are considerate to each other, we’ll see fewer needless accidents and deaths.
Want to learn more? See our blog post: How to practice road safety in the summertime.
