Cyclists are forever campaigning for increased road safety, as the numbers of cyclist-related injuries and deaths doesn’t seem to be decreasing. In the light of recent cycle fatalities in Scotland, cycle campaigners are calling for the strict liability law to be implemented in the UK, like the rest of Europe.
Even if the law comes into effect, cyclists are still going to have to be extra vigilant while travelling on the road. This article goes through some of the basic tips on how to remain visible to other drivers on the road. Remember, if you’ve been in an accident and think that the other driver is at fault, contact http://www.injurylawyers4u.co.uk to get the best possible advice.
High-visibility clothing
This is still one of the best ways of staying visible on the road. Sure, you may not appreciate the lack of fashion sensibility it confers, but at the end of the day, it’s your health and life at risk. Most cyclists don high-visibility clothing at night, but it’s advisable to do the same during the daytime, too.
It would seem like a precaution so basic that it’s a moot point to even mention it, but you’d be surprised at how many cyclists eschew such protective clothing. By highlighting your presence on the road, other drivers will be aware of you and your cycle from afar.
Avoid blind zones
Apart from respecting other vehicles and their space, and making sure you maintain a safe distance from them, as a cyclist it is vital for you to stay out of other drivers’ blind zones.
A lot of drivers tend to forget to turn their heads around to make sure the road is totally clear before they switch lanes. Unfortunately, this leads to accidents when they do change lanes. It’s up to you to make sure that you play it safe and stay out of their blind zones.
Take note of the weather
Many cyclists either ignore the fact that bad weather has been predicted. Others tend to get caught off-guard with sharp changes in the weather during their journey. If you know there’s going to be bad weather, with low visibility, rain and wind, you should probably forgo riding your bike and use public transport instead.
Riding in bad weather will always prove laborious and dangerous. You’ll have to keep an eye out for debris on the road, falling branches and other drivers who are also finding it difficult to navigate the roads with the weather, which make for less than ideal conditions all round.