School’s out, the weather’s nice, and summer is in full swing! With that, and the 4th of July holiday tomorrow, typically comes vacation and/or a lot of travel; so, as much as we want you to get outside and enjoy your cities, we also want you to keep safety at top of mind as you get from point A to point B.
At Lochmueller, we include safety for all our public infrastructure projects affecting people driving, people walking, and people rolling. We take a Safety Systems approach to our planning and design, which incorporates the following principles:
• Death and safety injuries are unacceptable.
• Humans make mistakes.
• Humans are vulnerable.
• Responsibility is shared.
• Safety is proactive.
• Redundancy is crucial.
As a society, it is all our responsibility to do our best to ensure everyone makes it home at the end of their day. It is our duty as people driving to pay attention, slow down, and watch for fellow community members in more vulnerable positions, such as those walking or bicycling. As pedestrians, cyclists, and others using rolling devices, such as wheelchairs and scooters, it is our duty to be alert, obey traffic laws, and be visible.
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind throughout your summer travels:
Driving Tips:
1. Buckle up every trip, every time, and ensure that everyone else in the vehicle is properly buckled.
2. Avoid risky behaviors – don’t text and drive, obey the posted speed limit, and avoid tailgating.
3. Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs.
4. Stay alert – keep your gas tank full, stop to stretch, get something to eat, and rest if you feel drowsy.
5. Look for pedestrians – always stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk or where pedestrian crosswalk signs are posted.
Walking Tips:
1. Walk on a sidewalk or path when one is available; if there is no sidewalk, walk on the shoulder facing traffic.
2. Be cautious – never assume a driver sees you; make eye contact with drivers as they approach.
3. Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections when possible; if neither are available, locate a well-lit area, wait for a gap in traffic that allows you enough time to cross safely, and continue to watch for traffic as you cross.
4. Be visible – wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
5. Stay alert – don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes or ears off the road.
Bicycling Tips:
1. Wear a helmet.
2. Ride single file in the direction of traffic.
3. Stay alert – keep your head up and look around; watch for opening car doors and other hazards; before entering traffic, stop and look left, right, left again, and over your shoulder.
4. Be visible – wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night; beware of shaded areas where drivers will struggle to see you.
5. Use hand signals when turning and use extra care at intersections.
If we all play our part, we can get closer to achieving a Vision Zero world—one without traffic violence resulting in deaths and serious injuries. To learn more about the Traffic Engineering & Planning services we provide at Lochmueller Group, visit our website.
