Driving Safety
Tips for Drivers
According to the CDC, the top cause of death for Americans between the ages of 1 and 44 is unintentional injury, including vehicle crashes. So for anyone operating a motor vehicle, getting to and from their destination safety is paramount. While getting behind the wheel may always come with some amount of risk, there are certain behaviors that can help you avoid getting in a crash or that will improve your likelihood of surviving if you do. Check out the tips below to keep you, your passengers, and others safe while you’re on the road.
Be Seen. Driving with your headlights on at all times, even on bright, sunny days, can reduce the likelihood of you being involved in a collision by as much as 32%. Because the human eye is light-seeking, drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists will see an oncoming car sooner and be less likely to pull into its path.
Drive Sober. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, every day, almost 30 people in the U.S. die in drunk-driving crashes. But it’s not just alcohol that drivers should be concerned about. Legal and illegal drugs can also impair a person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle.
Wear Your Seat Belt. It’s your best defense against impaired drivers on the road, and it could save your life.
Follow the Rules of the Road and Obey the Speed Limit. Speeding creates greater potential for loss of vehicle control and an increased degree of crash and injury severity. When you follow the rules of the road, you are traveling in the most predictable, safe, and consistent manner. This helps others better predict your movements, which reduces the likelihood of a collision and keeps everybody safer.
Keep Your Eyes on the Road. You cannot drive safely unless driving has your full attention. Keep your eyes on the road and not on your phone, radio, navigation system, or passengers. Eating and driving is distracted driving, so pull over to eat.
Stay Alert. Drowsy driving is dangerous! Avoid driving more than 100 miles at a time, switch drivers when needed, take regular breaks from driving, talk with a passenger, or listen to talk radio or audio books.
Maintain Distance. According to the Michigan State Police, tailgating is the most common cause of traffic crashes. Allow no less than 2 seconds between vehicles during the daytime, 3 seconds at night, and 4 seconds during inclement weather.
Share the Road and Protect Other Users
Pedestrians
Look out for pedestrians at all times, everywhere.
Stop Before Entering. Stop before entering the marked crosswalk limit line or before entering the intersection if there is no crosswalk.
Yield to Pedestrians. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, intersections, and all traffic-controlled areas. Make eye contact with pedestrians waiting to cross roadways.
Stay Alert. Take extra caution at intersections, especially when making turns and use extra caution in hard to see conditions like at nighttime and during bad weather.
Check Before Backing Up. Be extremely careful when backing up and check for pedestrians who may move into the path of the vehicle.
Don’t Pass. Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing who cannot be seen
Bicyclists
Bicyclists have all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle and are permitted on all roadways unless specifically prohibited, like on limited access highways.
Give them Three. Give at least 3 feet when passing bicyclists. (Check your local ordinances – in some places, the requirement is greater than 3 feet)
Yield to Bicyclists. Yield to bicyclists as you would motorists, and do not underestimate their speed. This will help avoid turning in front of a bicyclist traveling on the road or sidewalk, often at an intersection or driveway.
Stay Alert. In parking lots, at stop signs, when backing up, or when parking, search your surroundings for other vehicles, including bicyclists. Take extra caution at intersections, especially when making turns.
Check Before Opening Your Door. Never open a car door without first checking for passing traffic, including bicyclists.
Never Drive or Park in a Bicycle Lane. It is illegal to drive or park in a bicycle lane. A driver may cross into a bicycle lane only when turning. This means that drivers are to make turns from the travel lane and not the bicycle lane.
Motorcycles
Always Assume Motorcyclists are Closer Than They Appear. Their speed and distance are difficult for drivers to judge, especially at intersections. Keep a watchful eye at all times.
Look Twice. Intersections are one of the biggest dangers for motorcyclists. Their smaller size causes them to be overlooked by other drivers. Make sure to look twice before turning, especially to the left.
Don't Rely on Sound. You can’t always hear motorcycles, especially when they are oncoming. So, practice remaining alert at all times.
Double-Check Blind Spots. Motorcyclists can get lost in a vehicle’s blind spot. Be extra cautious when merging or changing lanes.
Keep Your Distance. Many motorcyclists slow down by downshifting, which won’t activate the brake light. Allow yourself extra space when you’re following a motorcyclist, particularly on busy city streets.
Know the Signals. Motorcyclists often use hand signals, similar to bicyclists, to let others know their intentions on the road. A right turn is signaled by a left arm raised, a left turn by the left arm straight out to the side, and a stop by the left arm downward.
Michigan’s Hands Free Law
Michigan’s hands-free law went into effect on Friday, June 30th. Here’s what you should know:
The purpose of the law is to expand on existing texting and driving laws to prevent fatalities and injuries caused by distracted driving. With the exception of making emergency calls or reporting a crime, drivers will for no other reason be able to hold a phone in their hands while operating a vehicle. This includes texting, making calls with the phone in hand, scrolling though social media, using music streaming devices, taking photos, or any other action that requires the driver to physically hold a device while driving.
Use a phone mount, your vehicle’s Bluetooth, or other hands-free features if you do need to make a phone call.
Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists all share our roadways in West Michigan. With pedestrians and bicyclists more likely to be seriously or fatally injured in a crash than motorists, GVMC is striving to educate all of the users of our system on ways that they can be safe AND seen while using our roads.
View our new public service announcement about the dangers of distracted driving, or check out the Additional Resources below to learn more!
Resources
Video Library
These videos from GVMC, the Grand Rapids Driving Change campaign, and the NHTSA’s U Text. U Drive. U Pay campaign, give some great reminders on how drivers can help keep bicyclists, pedestrians, and others safe on the road.
:15 PSA: Just ONE text, selfie, or call could wreck it all, and hands-free is now the law. When you’re behind the wheel, stay focused on the task at hand—driving.
:30 PSA: Just ONE text, selfie, or call could wreck it all, and hands-free is now the law. When you’re behind the wheel, stay focused on the task at hand—driving.
Distracted driving is dangerous, and as of June 30, Michigan’s hands-free law prevents holding a phone in your hand while driving.
Watch this video on the dangers of texting and driving.
Web Links
Hands-Free Distracted Driving Law
U Drive. U Text. U Pay Campaign
For additional information about GVMC’s Safety Education and Outreach Program, please contact Andrea Faber by phone (616) 776.7603 or email.