Additional caution around bicycles, motorcycles and emergency vehicles can save lives and property
When it comes to traffic safety, a small amount of added awareness can save lives and property.
Broome County saw a total of 3,739 vehicle crashes in 2012, the last year for which data is available from New York state. Six were fatal, leading to nine deaths, while 1,153 resulted in injuries, to 1,497 people.
Safe NY and the Broome County Health Department’s traffic safety program have the following suggestions for drivers:
• When bicycles are nearby, drive cautiously. Bikes are considered vehicles, and should be yielded to in situations where a driver would yield to a car. For bicyclists, the same applies. While on a bike, riders should obey traffic laws and traffic control devices, ride in the rightmost lane, and always wear a helmet.
• When motorcycles are nearby, always check mirrors and blind spots twice before merging or turning. Motorcycles have a smaller profile, and are often harder to spot than other types of traffic.
• When emergency vehicles are nearby, be prepared to yield. Emergency vehicles may legally exceed the speed limit, pass red lights and stop signs, go the wrong way on one-way streets and turn in directions not normally allowed. Drivers are required to pull over and stop while an emergency vehicle passes, even if it is traveling the opposite direction on a two-lane road.