Summer means more people, vehicles on roadways

Published 2:16 am Saturday, May 23, 2009

With schools letting out for the summer, that means more children on our streets, riding bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, wagons and other vehicles.

Most of these vehicles were not made for use in the streets, and their drivers and passengers are usually hard to see.

If you are driving your car or truck on the roads — especially on residential streets — be more cautious and aware of children on the streets. Be ready to move out of the way if a young one veers out unexpectedly into the street, and be ready for any tooys to come from the yards into the street as well. Your alertness may be the difference between an annoyance and a tragedy.

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With the longer daylight time and the warmer temperatures, people will also be out walking or jogging on the streets more often.

Drivers also need to be aware of walkers on the streets as well, but walkers and joggers can follow some safety rules of their own.

Walkers and joggers need to move facing oncoming traffic, on the left side of the road. Drivers are more likely to see a walker’s face this way, especially in low light around sundown or sunrise.

Walkers and joggers should stay as close to the curb as possible when traffic approaches or, better yet, get out the road entirely until the traffic moves past.

Children can follow safety tips, too. Bicycles should follow the rules of the road — that is, follow the flow of trafic by riding on the right side of the road, and allow vehicles the right of way when they approach.

Safety equipment like bicycle flags, helmets and pads can also make for a safe and injury-free summer.

As summer moves in, the number of people out and about will increase dramatically. There is room for everyone if everyone will be observant of a few rules and work with each other. Help keep summer a fun season for everyone.