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
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