Despite Improvements, Cyclists are Still Getting Involved in Road Mishaps
Taking the bicycle has been heralded as the best option for transportation. It does not clog the streets, creating a traffic jam. It also does not generate greenhouse gases that make climate change worse. Best of all, it serves as a physical activity that gets the heart and the blood pumping, reducing the cyclist's likelihood of experiencing health conditions such as obesity, heart disease, and stroke.
However, riding a bicycle in many parts of the world, including cities in the United States, is not free from risks. The number of cyclists who have been involved, injured, and lost their lives while on the road are not coming down. In fact, more people are getting hurt and dying while riding their bicycles. Since 2010, cyclist fatalities increased by 25 percent and the highest bicycle death rates happen between June and September.
Improvements have been made to vehicles to improve safety. Modern cars now have sensors that warn the driver when a crash is imminent. The roads have also been updated to reduce traffic accidents. Many places use reflective road paints or markings to improve visibility at night, delineation and friction have been added to sharp curves, and other solutions to decrease hazards on the roads.
Cities will benefit by encouraging the public to ride their bicycles to work, to school, to supermarkets, at public parks. However, if it is not safe, no one will take the offer. People will continue to drive their private vehicles to work which will clog the streets.
What can be done? Knowing why accidents involving cyclists remain up is a great first step toward improving road safety.
Fast Cars and Bicycles: A Bad Combination
Modern-day streets are designed to accommodate cars with a few pedestrian crossings and bike lanes here and there. The roads are meant for fast vehicles, and everyone has to stand back to prevent themselves from getting hit.
However, despite the addition of bike lanes and pedestrian crossings, people are in danger of being involved in an accident. A previous report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) revealed that nearly all fatal bicycle crashes happened when the weather was dry and the sky was clear. In about 46 percent of the fatal bicycle crashes, the investigating officers found that there was no contributing factor on the part of the motorist.
Moreover, over a quarter of all fatal bicycle crashes from 2005 to 2011 happened in junctions.
Too many injuries and deaths involving not just cyclists but also pedestrians occurred while they were following the law. Many drivers are yet to understand that the road is not solely for their own use. They have to share with pedestrians and cyclists. As a result, they drive too fast and fail to check if there is another person plying the road.
And if you or your loved one is unfortunately involved in a traffic accident, know that the law is on your side. However, to use it to your advantage, you may have to seek help from a car or truck accident attorney. They will help you navigate through the legalities revolving around a car accident while also helping you get the compensation you deserve. So, if you want to know more about the same subject, click for more information and find everything you need. Information is power, and in this case, it is equally essential.
People are Choosing Bigger Vehicles
Cars already have an unfair advantage over bicycles. During a crash, cars have metal shields to protect the driver and passenger. Bicycles, however, do not.
However, in recent years, more and more people are buying light trucks, vehicles that are bigger than the typical car. These are the pickups and the SUVs.
More than two-thirds of all new vehicle sales in the U.S. are light trucks.
In the event of a collision, a pickup truck would knock 65 percent of adults to the ground. Imagine these heavy metal machines traveling at a faster speed and crashing with a bicycle. The cyclist would be in serious trouble. Previous studies have warned that these larger vehicles are more likely to kill people than cars and minivans.
People are Still Using Their Smartphones While on the Road
People are glued to their smartphones. Despite the number of ads that warn about distracted driving and campaign against the use of devices while on the road, it is still causing accidents.
In a big study that used 180 billion miles worth of data, drivers used smartphones in 88 percent of the trip. Many drivers are also texting while driving.
People are not as good at multitasking as they thought they are. Using a smartphone while driving meant that they do not fully see what is happening in front and around them. While another vehicle would be easy to spot, even if it is on the periphery, a person would not. One glance away from the road could lead to a disaster.
So, what can be done? Stricter implementation of road laws should be done in order to ensure the safety of everyone. Moreover, driver's education should be improved for all motorists, but particularly among those under the age of 18.
