Bicycle and Pedestrian Crashes Prevention, Response and Crash Trends

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Red: Bicyclist’s fault Yellow: Motorist’s fault Green: Unknown

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

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.

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

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 (a)(1)

Lane Positioning: The Door Zone Enough Room Too Close

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

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.

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

Unsafe Passing

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

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

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

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.

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. / Dan Burden

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.

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

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

Overheard: Reason for not enforcing bicycle/motor vehicle infractions " There are more important things to do." "Bicyclists should not be punished with a fine, especially children." "Bicyclists are only endangering themselves when they violate traffic laws." "The courts will throw the tickets out."

Replies Injury and death prevention is very important work. If officers don't enforce the law, who will? Warnings can be sufficient, especially for children. Without enforcement, dangerous drivers will only get worse.

Key Violations: Cyclists Failure to yield –When entering roadway –When turning Riding the wrong way on the road Failure to obey traffic signals Riding at night without required equipment

Key Violations: Motorists Failure to yield –when entering roadway –when turning Unsafe passing Driving too fast for conditions

Tips for Ticketing Cyclists Same procedure as with motorists Obtain identification –Not required to carry ID. Failure to give name and address may be an arrestable offense. –If no ID, ask for info at beginning and end of interview. Written warning - or pass out safety information

Ticketing Motorists who endanger bicyclists A collision is not necessary For the sake of review: –Make sure the driver understands that the bicyclist has a right to be there –Explain to the driver how he or she was endangering the bicyclist –Assure the motorist that officers are paying equal attention to bicyclists who endanger others

Pedestrians Everyone is a pedestrian.

Pedestrians - Crosswalks All motorists must yield for pedestrians in crosswalks, including: –Unmarked crosswalks at intersections –Marked crosswalks at mid-block

Pedestrians - Driveways Motorists turning in and out of driveways (residential or commercial) must yield to pedestrians

Lack of Facilities If a roadway does not have a sidewalk or other pedestrian facility, then a pedestrian may walk along the outside of the roadway going against the flow of traffic.

Illegal Crossings Unmarked Midblock Crossings (Jaywalking) Important to educate and enforce.

Speed Affects Crash Severity

Training – Available at no cost NHTSA Roll Call Video Five minute video covering basics of bicycle traffic laws. 2–Hour Continuing Education DVD Enhancing Bicycle Safety: Law Enforcement’s Role Why Law Enforcement; Understanding Bicycle Crashes; Applying Traffic Laws to Cyclists; Specific Laws for Cyclists; Enforcement Techniques; Crash Investigation and Reporting; and Review and Next Steps.

For More Information Jessica Wilson TDOT Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator Matt Farr Executive Director Bike Walk Tennessee

Thank You! This presentation was adapted from the Knoxville TPO A Law Officer’s Guide to Bicycle Safety presentation with additional images from bikepedimages.org.