Staying Alive

A Moment’s Distraction  - A Lifetime Of Regret!!

3 Main Areas of Distracted Driving

Visual distractions:

objects that take the driver’s visual attention away from the road and driving environment.

Manual distractions:

objects that take a driver’s hands off the wheel.

Cognitive distraction:

involves a driver using their brain to process information not related to the driving task.

Any activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road for more than two seconds doubles the risk of a crash; however, distractions that require a combination of visual, manual, and cognitive resources are the most risky. For example, texting while driving raises a driver’s crash risk by 23 times.

What happens when you text and drive?

Here are some numbers:

• 1,600,000 accidents per year – National Safety Council
• 330,000 injuries per year – Harvard Center for Risk Analysis Study
• 11 teen deaths EVERY DAY – Institute for Highway Safety
• This accounts for nearly 25% of all accidents

How bad can texting while driving really be?

• About 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated
• The same as driving after 4 beers – National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin. (NHTSA)
• The number one driving distraction reported by teen drivers
• Makes you 23X more likely to crash – National Hwy Transportation Safety Admin. (NHTSA)
• Is the same as driving blind for 5 seconds at a time – VA. Tech Transportation Institute
• Slows your brake reaction speed by 18% – Human Factors & Ergonomics Society
• Leads to a 400% increase with eyes off the road
• Causes nearly 25% of all accidents, 1.6 million per year –National Safety Council
• Is about 6 times more likely to cause an collision than driving intoxicated
• Is the same as driving blind for 5 seconds at a time- Tech Transportation

Cycling Fatalities

• Unsafe Driving Leads to More Deaths Than Unsafe Cycling
• Over 700 Bicycling Fatalities Per Year (NHTSA)
• Nearly 50,000 Cyclists Seriously Injured (NHTSA)
• Total Cost of Injury / Death Annually is over $4 Billion –National Safety Council
• 4% Fatality increase from 2011 to 2012
• 60% of the Population is interested in Bicycling However, don’t due to Safety Concerns (League of American Bicyclists)

10 Safety Tips for Cyclists

1. Cycling Citizenship
Along with the right to cycle come responsibilities. Familiarize yourself with all applicable traffic laws and cycling rules. Each state has its own set; be aware of them. Motorists will be much more willing to accept cyclist’s rightful place on the road if cyclists act lawfully and respectfully. Do not run stop signs or red lights or use the wrong side of the street. It is best and safest to ride single file. If you are not blocking traffic and if the laws in your state permit it, there are times it is safe to ride two abreast. However, on narrow curvy canyon roads it is always best to ride single file. Riding responsibly will do wonders towards easing tensions and fostering a more harmonious environment between motorists and cyclists.

2. Right On
It is generally either illegal or unsafe to ride on a sidewalk or on the road towards oncoming traffic. As a rule, it is best to ride in the direction of traffic, staying as far to the right as is practical. However, make sure there is room to handle emergencies and that you do not ride so close to the right that you run the risk of hitting the curb and being thrown into traffic. There are times when you simply cannot stay to the far right—whether it’s to overtake another cyclist or vehicle, to make a left turn, or to avoid a hazard. Be sure to wait for a safe opportunity and use the proper hand signals when you take a lane.

3. Join In
If you are traveling at the same speed as other traffic, it may be safer to jump in and ride with traffic; because, this may make you more visible to motorists. Joining traffic is sometimes necessary because the road is simply too narrow for both a bike and a car. It is a particularly good idea to take a lane and join traffic before an intersection to make your presence known—especially for right-turning drivers who may not see you as they start their turn.When you do join traffic, make sure you never pass on the right. This is always dangerous, but particularly so in an intersection. By waiting directly behind a vehicle, you can see a car’s signals; otherwise, you never know if the motorist is about to make a right turn and hit you.

4. Use Your Head
Regardless if you’re going to the corner store or heading out on a marathon ride, always wear a helmet. Make sure it is properly fastened and fitted. (The helmet should fit snugly and not move when you shake your head.)

5. Seeing Eye to Eye
Make eye contact with drivers whenever possible. This ensures that the motorists see you and helps you assert your rightful place on the road. This “personal connection” reminds motorists that you are indeed real LIFE in need of attention and protection. Once you make that connection, motorists may give you more respect on the road.

6. The Road Straightly Traveled
Try to ride consistently and predictably. For instance, at an intersection, do not veer into the crosswalk and then suddenly reappear on the road again. Don’t thread through parked cars. With such erratic behavior, motorists will not be aware of your presence when you try to re-emerge into traffic. (Inconsistent conduct increases your chances of being squeezed out of traffic or, worse, getting hit.)

7. Playing Defense
Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings. Know what is behind you and watch out for what is in front of you. Always be on the lookout for road hazards; sand and gravel, glass, railroad tracks, parked cars, snow and slush can wreak havoc on you and your bike. Sewer grates and cracks in the road can catch your wheel and cause you to be thrown from the bike. Watch for parked cars where people may be opening doors on the driver side of the vehicle without looking. Always wait until you have ample time to make your move, whether you are changing a lane or turning a corner. Do not expect to be granted the right of way in any instance.

8. Flaunt It
Make your presence felt. Wear bright color clothing. At night or in inclement weather, it is important to use reflective lights in the front, side and rear that make you visible from all directions.

9. Helping Hands
Emergencies happen. Be prepared. Always make sure you have at least one hand on your handlebars, no matter what. Know and use your hand signals whenever you are changing lanes or making a turn.

10. Brake Away
Make sure your brakes are always in top-notch condition. Be aware of how weather and road conditions can affect your ability to brake.

10 Safety Tips For Motorists:

1. Different but Equal
In all states, cyclists are deemed by law to be drivers of vehicles and are entitled to the same rights on the road as motorists. Expect cyclists on the road. Watch for cyclists on the road. Treat them as you would any slow-moving vehicle.

2. Patience, not Patients
Patience, especially on the road, is a virtue, and can save lives.
Your patience may involve:
Waiting until it is safe to pass a bicycle and refraining from tailgating.
Giving cyclists the right of way when the situation calls for it.
Allowing extra time for cyclists to go through intersections.
Recognizing road hazards that may be dangerous for cyclists and giving cyclists the necessary space to deal with them.
In conditions where there is not enough room for a cyclist to ride to the right, they are allowed to ride closer to the lane of traffic, and sometimes even in the lane of traffic.
Never engage in conduct that harasses or endangers a cyclist. Above all: Be tolerant. Be understanding. Be careful.

3. A Passing Grade
Do not pass a cyclist until you can see that you can safely do so. You should allow ample space between your vehicle and the bicycle and make sure you do not place the cyclist in danger. If you pass too closely the drag from your car can pull a cyclist off course and cause the rider to swerve out of control.

4. The Right Behavior
Watch out for cyclists when you are turning right. A bicyclist may well be to the right of you and planning to go straight at the same intersection. Do not speed ahead of the bicyclist thinking you can negotiate the turn before they reach your car. The cyclist may be going faster than you think and, as you slow to make the turn, the cyclist may not be able to avoid crashing into the passenger side of your vehicle.

5. To The Left, to The Left
k for cyclists when making a left-hand turn. Cyclists who are crossing straight through the same intersection in the opposite direction may be going faster than you realize. It is particularly dangerous on a descending slope, when cyclists pick up more speed.

6. A Back-up Plan:
Bicycles, and the people who drive them, come in all shapes and sizes. When backing out of your driveway always look to see if someone is riding in your path. Children on small bikes might be hard to see. Drive slowly and look carefully.

7. Egress Etiquette
After parallel parking, make sure the coast is clear for opening the car door to exit. Make sure there are no cyclists riding alongside your car or fast approaching. By using the rear view mirrors and by turning around, a driver can spot an approaching cyclist and circumvent a disaster. A cyclist cannot anticipate when a driver will open a door, but a driver can easily detect a cyclist who may be in the line of danger.

8. Respect
Cyclists have a rightful spot on the road. Cyclists also positively impact the environment with each revolution of their wheels by opting to ride rather than drive. Do not resent cyclists. Replace frustration with a smile every time to see a cyclist.

9. Honing Your Horning Habit
Do not to honk unnecessarily at cyclists. If the need does arise to honk your horn to alert a cyclist that you are about pass, do so at a respectable distance. If you are too close, the noise itself can cause a cyclist to lose his or her bearings and create a hazardous situation for both you and the cyclist.

10. Try it, You’ll Like it
If you can’t beat them, join them. Ride a bike. It may just change your life. Riding is good for you and good for your environment. At the very least, it will give you a better appreciation for the problems cyclists face everyday on the road with respect to motorists.

Take the Pledge

The members of LOOK! Save A Life take a pledge to show the world they are committed to the safety of all those on the road.

We encourage you to display the LOOK! Logo by wearing a jersey, t-shirt, socks, hat, or by displaying the logo on your vehicle. We invite you to commit to safety while you are cycling on the open road and while you are operating a vehicle.

Add your name to the growing number of people committed to safety by signing the riders pledge and then ride by the “rules of the road”.