Safe Driving - Vulnerable Road Users
All of us class ourselves as safe drivers when behind the wheel of our vehicle but are we really as safe as we think we are? Due you pay close attention to not just the other motorists on the road but the vast amounts of vulnerable road users that use the public highways on a daily basis?
This article will aim to educate you on what to look out for and how to deal with these vulnerable road users on a typical journey.
Motorbikes - Motorcyclists are a very vulnerable road user due to the fact that these machines travel at a similar speed to the cars on the road. This means that they are more likely to be involved in a high speed crash than other vulnerable road users. You should be aware of bikes passing between stationary traffic during traffic jams, some at unsafe speeds so give them enough room. A general rule is just be more aware of these machines on the road because due to their size they are often harder to spot. Check junctions twice before pulling out and always remember to check over your shoulder before changing lanes on the motorway. Just remember that failing to be observant for motorbikes and causing an accident could not only raise your car insurance premium but riders can often be severely injured and do you really want that on your conscience?
Cyclists - Cyclists are another common road user that are very vulnerable on the public highway. You should look for a cyclist in the same way that you do for a motorbike whilst travelling in congested traffic on the roads. However it is more likely that you will be passing these road users on your left as they move at a much lower speed than the other traffic on the road. When passing these cycles be sure to give them plenty of room and watch out for hand signals to tell you in which direction they are planning to travel. Approach them at low speeds as cyclists can often be severely injured or killed in high speed crashes.
Horses - You will usually encounter these road users on country roads on the weekend and the week day evenings when the owners are exercising the animals. These country roads are usually very narrow and twisty reducing the reaction time you have on spotting the horse. With this in mind take care on country roads to slow down especially when approaching blind bends. When encountering these vulnerable road users make sure that you pass them at a safe location at a low speed with a wide birth. The most important thing is not to startle the animal as this can result in injury of the horse, the rider and/or damage to your car resulting in costly car insurance claims.
Pedestrians - Without doubt pedestrians, especially children are the most vulnerable road users of them all. This is due to the fact that these road users will be wearing no protective clothing and impact with a car even at slow speeds can cause fatal injuries. Be aware in built up areas of pedestrians walking out from behind obstructions and from between parked vehicles. Pay close attention to pedestrian crossings as you legally must stop if someone is waiting to cross and sometimes the pedestrian will move onto the crossing without looking leaving you at fault. The main thing to look out for with respect to pedestrians is to observe the speed limits as a child hit by a car travelling at 40mph is significantly more likely to suffer fatal injuries than being hit by a car travelling at 30mph.
In closing nobody wants to be involved in an accident on the road as it leads to costly car insurance claims. However being involved in collisions with vulnerable road users also carry the increased potential of loss of life which nobody wants on their conscience, just be more aware.
