Connecticut residents may think that a motor vehicle crash only involves cars. These incidents can also involve bicycles, though. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 45,000 bicyclists were injured in a collision in 2015. It is important for drivers to understand how they can safely share the road with bikers.
People should usually try to remain aware of bicyclists on the road. Before turning right, it is a good idea to look for bikers who might be riding on the right side of a vehicle. Additionally, people should make sure they give bicycles room when passing them and only pass when they can safely merge into another lane.
Bike Walk Connecticut says that drivers should expect to bicycles on the road. This means that as people navigate hills and curves in the road, they should use caution because there may sometimes be a biker. Drivers should also expect to see bikers in a travel lane. This is because it may not always be safe for bikers to ride alongside cars, especially if a street is narrow. Most of the time, bicyclists should be on the far right side of the road. Drivers should make sure they give bikers plenty of space so they can maneuver around drain gates and potholes.
Additionally, it is a good idea to drive the speed limit. This is because it is less likely that someone will die in a motor vehicle accident when cars are going slower. People should also use their turn signals so a biker knows the driver will be turning. When drivers parallel park on a street, they should typically look for bikers before they open a car door.