Driver Safety: Watching Out for Non-car Road Users

Safe drivers always need to be looking out for everyone else using the road. This includes cars, of course, but what about all the other people? Especially during summer, there are cyclists, pedestrians, and even the occasional equestrian sharing the road. As drivers, we need to clearly understand our responsibility to others. 

The driver in a car obviously has a lot more power than someone walking or biking. What are the options for the person with the most power? They can be a bully and use their power to take the right of way while forcing others to yield. Or, they can be a steward by checking their power in order to be safe and courteous.

The safe driver will always choose stewardship. This means following the law, acting predictably, deferring the right of way when it’s the correct thing to do, and watching out for those with less power.

Drive Safely for the Situation

I recently went to Europe for vacation, and I noticed something very interesting. Drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians all behave very differently from one country to the next! In one country, there are so many people riding bikes that they have the automatic right-of-way. Cars have to yield no matter what. Despite the size and weight difference, cyclists really do have the power there. In other countries, drivers seem to like letting cyclists and pedestrians know that they wouldn’t lose any sleep about running them over.

Some European countries also plan pretty well for tourism in their traffic patterns. In England, they actually paint instructions on the road for pedestrians to look right, then left, so that tourists don’t get in trouble by looking the wrong way before stepping into the street. Drivers aren’t likely to slow down just because a pedestrian wants to cross the street up ahead, so we silly Americans need to be on the lookout.

It’s not so different here at home. Drivers in Philadelphia handle crosswalks and bike lanes very differently than drivers on the neighborhood roads in Horsham, or visitors to the New Jersey shore. I have noticed that in general, drivers seem to show respect for people on foot or on bike in a very situational manner. It’s less about what is legal and more about what is socially expected for the circumstances.

I challenge my students and their parents to get rid of that situational type of thinking. The truth is, we as drivers always have a responsibility to do the safe thing. And the safe thing is to always be aware of people on the road who have less power. If something goes wrong, you as the driver, are far more protected inside your car than the people out in the open who are in your path. It’s not about what the power of your car can do for you; it’s about knowing the potential for harm relative to your position.

How Safe Drivers Operate Around Pedestrians and Cyclists

During the summer and throughout early autumn, non-car activity reaches its peak in our region. Most towns have market or community nights, cycling groups can get a lot more miles in with the extra evening light, kids are out of school, and it’s just plain nice to be outside.

Your teen driver has limited experience with the higher level of foot and bike traffic on the road. Talk to them about awareness for those people, and be sure to brush up on all the laws. In particular, teen drivers need to be reminded about how to safely pass bikes and walkers on rural roads. Far too many inexperienced drivers let anxiety or impatience take over in this situation, and they create a serious hazard for that unprotected road user. 

Crosswalks are the other high-alert area they need to remember. Park trails that cross the road are much busier this time of year. Your teen driver needs to expect families, horse riders, people on bikes, runners, and hikers every single time they see a trail crossing ahead. The trail crossings always have the right of way, just like any other crosswalk outside of a traffic light intersection. Safe drivers anticipate the need to slow down, and they look for people who might be approaching the crosswalk.

Something that we don’t always think about, but that your teen needs to know during this season, is that pedestrians and cyclists don’t always act for their own safety. It’s kind of amazing to watch someone on a bike or on foot purposely put themselves in the path of an oncoming car because they believe they have the right of way. Whether they do or do not have the right of way should be secondary to acting in their own best interest. Nevertheless, safe drivers keep in mind that this happens and take extra care when that potential exists. Always be on the lookout for pedestrians and cyclists to act unpredictably so that you can anticipate the safe driving skills you will need to use.

Brush Up On Safe Driving Skills for Summer

Whether it’s your teen driver’s first summer with a license or they have some experience under their belt, consider a refresher on summer driving safety. All parents should periodically ride in the car with their teens just to make sure they are practicing safe driving skills. No one remembers everything they have learned, so take time to review best practices throughout the year.

If your teen still has their permit or is getting ready to apply for it, prepare for your first driving lessons with my course, The Parent’s Survival Guide for New Teen Drivers. This course is specifically designed to help parents prepare for this vital coaching role. To ensure that your teen is fully equipped with safe driving skills, check out our Driving Lessons. Our coaches are highly trained professionals who are committed to preparing teen drivers for a lifetime of safe driving.