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Bicycle and Pedestrian Crashes Prevention, Response and Crash Trends

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TN Bicyclists & Pedestrians- Crashes In 2014, there were 1,400 reported traffic crashes involving pedestrians and 400 reported crashes involving bicyclists. Photo by Phil Gentry

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TN Bicyclists and Pedestrians- Fatalities In 2014, there were 88 pedestrian fatalities and 5 bicyclist fatalities. Photo: businessclarksville.com

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https://tntrafficsafety.org/sites/default/files/SHSP2015-01-07.pdf 2014 Strategic Highway Safety Plan SHSP Emphasis Areas: Data Collection & Analysis Driver Behavior Infrastructure Improvements Vulnerable Road Users Operation Improvements Motor Carrier Safety Individual goals, objectives, and countermeasures have been identified for each of the 6 emphasis areas.

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Road Safety Audit Reviews When attending Road Safety Audit field reviews where pedestrian and/or bicycle crashes occur, it is crucial to note factors such as: Street Lighting Presence of bus stops Presence or lack of sidewalks, crosswalks, median, bike lanes, etc. Ped/Bicyclist generators such as community centers, schools, parks, libraries, housing, medical facilities Speed of motorists

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GHSO Enforcement Grant TDOT Governors Highway Safety Office awarded $15,000 in FY15 to Knoxville Police Department for Pedestrian Enforcement.

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How can we work together to reduce crashes? The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recommends the 4-Es approach in order to prevent bicycle and pedestrian-related injuries and fatalities: Engineering Education Enforcement EMS

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Why Enforce Traffic Law? Prevent Crashes Help traffic flow Educate drivers

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Red: Bicyclists fault Yellow: Motorists fault Green: Unknown

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Most Frequent Fatal Crashes Intersections Motorist or Cyclist failure to yield Intoxication Cyclist driving the wrong way Cycling driving at night without proper lights and reflectors

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Bicyclists are Drivers The same set of traffic rules applies to all drivers of vehicles bicyclists and motorists. When we say driver we mean bicyclist or motorist; when we say vehicle we mean bicycle or motor vehicle.

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You Already Know Most Traffic Laws that Concern Bicyclists All drivers of vehicles must: Drive on the right side of the roadway Pass other traffic slowly and safely Yield to traffic with the right of way Observe traffic signs and signals Obey speed limits

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Bicyclist Lane Positioning Bicyclists should ride on the right As far right as practicable Except when: Passing another vehicle Preparing for left turn Avoiding hazards (broken glass, parked cars) When lane is too narrow to safely share with another vehicle TN Code 55-8-175 (a)(1)

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Lane Positioning: The Door Zone Enough Room Too Close

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Lane Positioning: Taking the Lane A bicyclist is expected to take the full lane in a number of situations: Narrow travel lanes Steep slopes Curvy Roadways

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Safe Passing on the Left By law, motorists who are passing bicyclists must leave at least 3 between them and the bicycle, and must maintain safe distance until safely past the bicyclist. Bicyclists should pass on the left, just as other drivers do. www.tennessee3feet.org

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Safe Passing on the Right Only allowed when overtaken vehicle is turning left, on an unobstructed road with enough room for two or more lines of moving vehicles. Note: we strongly recommend against passing on the right to bicyclists

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Unsafe Passing

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Turning At intersections, bicyclist should be in the right-most lane that serves his/her destination Not in a right-turn only lane if going straight

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Signaling Bicyclists use hand signals. Right hand, right turn signal is best understood.

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Sidewalk Bicycling Bicyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks in some situations, but must yield to pedestrians and give audible warning when passing. Note: we recommend against biking on sidewalks due to higher potential for crashes at driveways and intersections 10% of bicycle- motor vehicle crashes happen to bicyclists driving on sidewalks, paths, or in crosswalks

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Lights and Brakes Bicycles used at night must have a white front light visible from 500 and a red rear reflector (we highly recommend a red rear light too) Brakes must allow cyclist to stop within 25 at 10 mph 43% of fatal bicycle-motor vehicle crashes occur at night, most of them probably involve bicyclists without proper lighting equipment.

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Helmets Bicyclists under the age of 16 must wear a bicycle helmet About 75% of permanent disabilities and 50% of fatalities may have been avoided with proper helmet use. www.pedbikeimages.org / Dan Burden

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Other Bicycle Safety Laws: Manner of Riding No more riders than the bicycle is designed to carry. At least one hand on the handlebar. Carry articles safely Enforcing these might help prevent falls - the most frequent type of crash.

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Aggressive Driving & Assault Assault is intentionally causing bodily injury, intentionally causing another person to fear imminent injury, or intentionally causing provocative physical contact with another Assault is a Class A misdemeanor

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2011 TN Due Care Law Failure to Exercise Caution When: Failing to Yield to Pedestrians in Crosswalk Fail to Pass Bicycle Safely (3 Feet Law) Failing to exercise due care when driving Class B (injury) Class A (death) misdemeanors TCA 55-8-192

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