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When you drive on the roads of Delaware, remember that you are sharing them with other users, such as other drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. There are people who act as if they own the road, while others are simply careless. The following are some things you can do to make the road safer for yourself and other users of the road.
Trucks are powerful and heavy, often weighing four to five times that of a typical car when unloaded. These vehicles usually are equipped with up to eight mirrors, but they still are involved in many traffic collisions. That is because motor vehicle operators lack a general respect for trucks, often tailgating them or becoming caught between the truck and the curb. Special care must be taken when driving near large trucks on the expressway. Studies have shown that a tractor-trailer truck traveling at 55 mph will typically need twice the stopping distance of an automobile traveling at the same speed. Trucks should be given extra clearance whenever possible, and you should always leave an escape option on the road.
You must be aware of a truck's blind spots at all times because a truck's rear-view and side mirrors are not always sufficient. Common blind spots for a truck driver exist near the right front wheel of the truck, immediately in front of the cab, and within 30 ft. of the rear of the trailer. Therefore you should never tailgate, pass to the right, cut in front, or drive parallel to a truck for any length of time.
Truck Tips:
Towing Other Vehicles - When driving a passenger vehicle that is towing another vehicle, you must follow the same rules as that of a truck when following or passing another vehicle. Your vehicle becomes much heavier, and your stopping distance can multiply by two to three times. You must stay at least 300 feet behind when following other vehicles. The same rules would apply in a business or residential district, on a highway with more than two lanes moving in the same direction, or when overtaking and passing the vehicle ahead. Failure to keep this distance may result in a fine and/or jail time.
Stopping Distance - A truck traveling at 55 mph will often require more than 400 feet to stop without factoring in the reaction time of the driver. Drivers of trucks must travel at safe speeds in relation to traffic flow and the increased distance to stop. You must keep clear of fast-moving trucks on open roadways.
SMART RULE #1: If you cannot clearly see the truck's side view mirrors, its driver cannot see you either!
Some typical problems involving trucks include:
1. Trucks making wide turns account for many collisions, as cars are often sandwiched between the truck and curb. You must respect the wide turns required by trucks.
2. Trucks are rarely allowed to travel over 55 mph, and they usually stay in slower traffic lanes. The higher the truck's weight and the higher the truck's speed, the longer the stopping distance.
3. Slow trucks often carry full loads of cargo and lack the power to keep up with the flow of traffic. To avoid problems, you should never tailgate a truck, but simply change lanes when safe to do so.
Truck Statistics Nationally
Motorcycles are involved in a high number of traffic collisions due in large part to their "invisibility" on the road. Your vehicle's side mirrors are important tools enabling you to see motorcycles and reduce the number of these collisions. Motorcyclists must obey the same driving laws as all other vehicles.
By law, a motorcyclist and any passenger must wear protective eyewear while riding on public highways, and it is recommended they wear boots and gloves as well. Anyone up to 19 years of age operating or riding on a motorcycle must wear an approved helmet and eyewear.
REMEMBER...Motorcycles must be shown extra attention while on the road. Extra room must be left for the motorcycle when the rider is making turns, and allowances should be given for its lane changing, positioning, and increases in speed.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests the following tips for motorists to share the road with motorcyclists safely:
The following are some safety tips for motorcyclists:
A bicycle can legally ride in a traffic lane on the road, provided it can keep up with the flow of regular vehicular traffic. A vehicle, however, can only cross into a bicycle lane when making a right turn. You may not drive in the bicycle lane except within the last 200 feet before the intersection where you plan to make your right turn. You may not be in a bicycle lane unless you are entering or leaving the highway, preparing to turn, or parking where parking is permitted. Bicycles typically ride near the right curb of the road, but they may move into the lane to the left to pass another bicycle or vehicle or to avoid hitting another object. Special care and extra space needs should be observed when driving near a bicycle.
Each year, there are 67 million bicyclists who ride approximately 15 billion hours in the United States. There are over half a million people injured each year in bicycle-related crashes, while over 90% of the deaths from bicycle-related injuries are caused by collisions with motor vehicles. An injury to the head is the greatest risk bicyclists face, comprising one-third of the emergency room visits, two-thirds of hospital admissions, and three-fourths of the deaths. Children tend to be at the greatest risk on bicycles because they often do not practice safe riding techniques or wear a bicycle helmet. As a result, about one-fifth of bicyclist deaths occur in the 5 to 15 year old age group.
Safety Tips For Drivers
Always give a bicycle plenty of space to the side (at least three feet), and do not follow too closely. Look for bicyclists before opening your door next to traffic lanes and before turning right. At night, switch to low beams when approaching a bicyclist, just as you would for a car or truck. The following tips will help you share the road safely with bicyclists:
Safety Tips For Bicyclists
Important safety statistics
Driver Responsibilities - Those at the greatest risk on the roads are pedestrians, particularly children. As a driver, you must be aware of pedestrians and act responsibly when around them. Also watch for runners, skateboarders, and people walking dogs. You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians crossing the street in a crosswalk at an intersection or any marked crosswalk. You have a duty to exercise due care around pedestrians within a crosswalk by slowing down or otherwise ensuring their safety when approaching. If you see a pedestrian using a crosswalk, you must stop before the crosswalk at or before the limit line and let that person cross the street. You must also stop and allow pedestrians to pass before you cross a sidewalk.
If you approach a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk or intersection, you must be prepared to stop as that driver may be stopping for a pedestrian. Do not pass it unless there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk. It is illegal to enter and block a crosswalk with your vehicle; you must keep it clear for pedestrians who are using it.
Be sure to pay special attention to children, the elderly, and the physically or visually disabled. They may need more time to cross the street. Tap your horn whenever it is necessary for their safety, except with visually disabled pedestrians. You must yield to them at all times if they are carrying a white cane or using a guide dog. Do not use your horn to alert a visually disabled pedestrian as you may confuse or frighten that person.
Pedestrian Responsibilities - As a pedestrian, you are expected to obey traffic signals and use the appropriate crosswalks and intersections to cross the street. In addition, you should never impede or block the flow of traffic in any way. If you cross the street anywhere other than in a crosswalk (known as jaywalking), understand that this is illegal. In any case, if you cross the street outside a crosswalk, you must yield to approaching vehicular traffic. If there is no sidewalk, walk on the left side of the road so you are facing traffic.
When you prepare to cross the street, do not leave the curb suddenly or get into the path of a vehicle about to pass in front of you. You should make eye contact with any approaching driver and wait until you can safely cross.
Children - Each year, more than 50,000 children are injured as pedestrians in the United States. Children are at the greatest risk at the beginning and at the end of the school day, which are the times when they are the most likely to be out on the streets. Most of the injuries are a result of children running out into the street from between parked cars. Younger children are at the greatest risk. Some of the reasons include:
Parents should practice safety rules with their children and act as role models. Some tips to follow:
You need to be extra cautious and drive slowly in all residential and school areas. Your children should not rely on drivers to follow the law...they must learn how to be safe pedestrians.
Officers of the law are there to protect and serve the public. Respecting their presence and heeding their commands can only make the roads safer for everyone. Below are various types of law enforcement officers you may encounter:
Traffic Officer - Traffic officers are primarily in charge of traffic safety with their primary focus on maintaining clear and safe roadways.
Motorcycle Officer - Motorcycle officers are similar to traffic officers, but operate on motorcycles.
Patrol Officer - Patrol officers are primarily patrolling and providing for public safety. Traffic matters are not their main focus.
Undercover Officer - Undercover officers are normally engaged in non-traffic activities, but can also write tickets and make arrests.
The Highway Patrol or State Police - These officers primarily patrol highways and expressways, with the majority of their citations written for excessive speed violations. Remember: Speed leads to collisions, which lead to fatalities.
Transit Police - Transit Police have full police powers to arrest and ticket, but normally patrol only certain areas where the rapid transit agencies they are affiliated with operate.
College Police - College/University police have full police powers to arrest and ticket, but they normally stay within areas specific to their College or University campus.
Security Officers/ Private Patrols - Security officers or private patrols may only make a citizen's arrest and are not typically affiliated with any police agency.