Traffic Tips

• Tips for Bicyclists

  • Wear your helmet! Helmet Use Laws
  • Bikers Beware.  Always be aware of the traffic around you.  Never assume that all drivers see you.  Ride defensively.
  • Check your brakes and be prepared to stop.
  • Ride with traffic.  Ride on the right side, with the flow of traffic.  Biking on the Road
  • "No Zones" are blind spots in the front, back and on the sides of large vehicles. Beware of the "No Zone".  Never sneak in between a truck or bus and the curb, or you could get crushed.  Be aware that large trucks have blind spots in the front, back and on the sides, which make it difficult for the driver to see around them.

   

   

• Tips for Car Drivers

  • Cutting in front can cut your life short!  Avoid cutting in front of other vehicles as you may create an emergency braking situation for others around you, especially in heavy traffic.
  • Buckle your seat belt! ALWAYS!
  • Watch your blind spots and the "No Zones" around trucks and buses.
  • Inattentive drivers.  While driving, please focus only on the road.  If you need to attend to another matter while driving (cell phones, kids, application of cosmetics, etc.) safely pull over in a parking lot or rest stop.
  • Avoid aggressive drivers and driving aggressively.  speeding, running red lights and stop signs, making frequent lane changes and tailgating can create dangerous and potentially fatal situations on the road.
  • Avoid squeeze play.  Be careful of trucks and buses making wide right turns.  If you try to get in between the truck and the curb, you could be caught in a squeeze and suffer a serious accident.
  • Never drink and drive!

   

  If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident, try to remember and quickly write down:

  • The make, model, and color of the other vehicle
  • Anything about the other vehicle's license plate
  • Any characteristics of the other driver (sex, race, age, hair color, clothing, etc.)
  • Any other details about the accident

   

  Everyone's a pedestrian at some point in their journey, and safety is a shared responsibility.

   

   

   

• Tips for Motorcycle Drivers

  • Never hang out in a truck's blind spot or "No-Zone". Watch the "No-Zones". 
  • Always wear a helmet!
  • Drive to survive!  Motorcycles are the smallest vehicles on the road and offer no protection in a crash.  Be cautious, pay attention to the signals and brakes of other vehicles, especially trucks!
  • Check yourself and your bike.  Conduct a safety inspection of your motorcycle before each ride and be sure to wear the proper protective gear.
  • Watch your speed!

   

• Tips for Pedestrians

  • Everyone's a Pedestrian at some point in their journey, and safety is a shared responsibility. 
  • Watch your walkways.  Walk on sidewalks and in crosswalks whenever possible.  Pay attention to walk signals and keep a safe distance when standing on corners.
  • Be aware of blind spots around trucks, buses and cars when walking near and around them.  Know your "No Zones". 
  • Stopping Distances.  Use caution when crossing intersections and streets.  You may think vehicles will stop for you, but they may not see you to even be able to stop.  Never take a chance with a truck, even if the driver sees you, they may not be able to stop.  Truck brakes and gears are notorious for sticking.
  • Make Yourself Visible.  Wear bright or reflective clothing.
  • Watch out for wide loads.  Trucks with wide loads may have very limited visibility as well as difficulty maneuvering.

   

   

• Tips for Teenage Drivers

  It's a fact: teenage drivers account for more auto accidents than any other age group.

  However, by practicing safe driving techniques - such as driving defensively - you'll increase the odds you'll keep yourself (and your passengers) safe on the road and you'll increase your chances of getting more affordable car insurance as you build a good driving record.  Whether you're just getting ready to hit the road or have been driving for months - or even years - take some time to review these 8 safe driving tips.

  1. Keep Your Cell Phone Off - Multiple studies indicate using a cell phone while driving is the equivalent to driving drunk - that's even when using a hands-free phone.
  2. Don't Text - Research shows texting - on average - causes a loss of focus on the road for 4.6 seconds.  You can drive the length of half a football field in that time.  A lot can go wrong while you drive the length of a football field without your eyes on the road.
  3. Turn on Your Headlights - Using your headlights increases your visibility and helps other drivers see you, even when you feel like it's light out.  In the early morning and early evening, you need to use your lights or other drivers might not see you.
  4. Obey the Speed Limit - Speeding is a major contributor to fatal teen accidents.  This is especially true when driving on roads with lots of traffic or with which you're not familiar.
  5. Minimize Distractions - It may be tempting to eat, drink, flip around the radio dial, or play music loudly while you're cruising around town; however, all can cause your mind or vision to wander, even for a few seconds.  As an inexperienced driver, you are more apt to lose control of your car.  Distractions can significantly increase the chances that you 1. not notice impending danger or notice it too late and 2. lose the ability to control the vehicle.
  6. Drive Solo - Having a single teen passenger in your car can double the risk of being in a car accident.  Adding additional teen passengers causes the risk to escalate.
  7. Practice Defensive Driving - Always be aware of the traffic ahead, behind, and next to you, and have possible escape routes in mind.  Stay at least one car length behind the car in front of you in slower speeds, and maintain a larger buffer zone at higher speeds.
  8. Choose a Safe Car - If possible drive a safe car with the latest safety equipment (such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and air bags.)

   

• Tips for Truck and Bus Drivers

  • Take care of yourself!  The most important part of a moving truck or bus is the driver.  Get plenty of rest before getting behind the wheel, eat well and stay fit!
  • Always maintain your vehicle
  • The "No Zone represents the danger areas, or blind spots, around trucks and buses where crashes are more likely to occur.  Be aware of your "No Zone"! Be vigilant in watching out for vehicles in the "No Zone".
  • Slow down in work zones!
  • Always keep your distance - leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
  • Fasten your seatbelt.  Buckle up for safety and control.
  • Always drive defensively and AVOID aggressive drivers!
  • Work to help yourself.  Help stranded motorists, notify traffic agencies of crashes, unsafe road conditions and other situations that can lead to crashes.