20181106-QI_SAFE-BEHAVIOR

[7X7 EXPERIENCE SAFE BEHAVIOR] >> Part of making low risk decisions is developing safe habits and behaviors. If you are used to doing something safely, you're more likely to be creating a safe environment on the road. While we're going to go over some safe behaviors we can't teach you how to drive. These tips are intended as reminders of safe road behavior and not driving instruction. If you're confused by any of our tips, we strongly advise that you review your local driver's handbook because different places have different rules of the road. It's a really good idea to be clear on what's allowed in your area. One of the easiest things you can do to create a safer environment is to use your turn signals when you're changing lanes or turning onto another street. For some of you, this may be second nature already, but it needs to be second nature for all of us. Using your turn signal allows people to anticipate your actions and make space for you on the road. You can also make eye contact with other drivers to communicate or politely gesture, especially in situations where right of way may not be clear. It's better to take a second and check. To the best of our knowledge, double parking is illegal everywhere in North America, but if there's no legal parking spots, what can you do? It comes back to risk. If there is no parking at your pick up or drop off points, is there a safe space to pull over within the block? Communicate and negotiate with your rider to find the best solution. Remember that blocking traffic can cause accidents and we strongly advise using your hazard lights when picking up and dropping off your rider even if you do find a parking spot. We also want to avoid parking in a bike lane because that can be hazardous not only to people on bicycles, but to other drivers on the road if a person on a bicycle needs to get around you. Similarly, you want to avoid waiting for a rider in a crosswalk. If we are parked in a crosswalk, where's the pedestrian going to go? It's not safe and they don't have any protection from other cars. And what about other drivers? It's important to pay attention to the behavior of the other cars on the road. If someone is driving too close to the car in front of them that should be a warning sign that the driver is either not paying enough attention or maybe is trying too hard to get to where they're going quickly. When you're sharing the road with an unsafe driver, it means you need to compensate with safer behavior. Give yourself and your rider the benefit of distance when it comes to unsafe drivers on the road around you that may mean slowing down or maybe changing lanes so you're further away from a problem driver. And remember, no illegal U turns. An illegal U turn in front of the rider means that the rider will feel unsafe and the rider is going to rate us based on their feeling in the car, plus you don't want to take it or be the cause of an accident. Finally, you want to think about how your own comfort can affect safety. If it's really bright and sunny outside, it can make it harder to look at the road. Sunglasses can help reduce eye strain in bright sunshine and are especially useful at sunrise and sunset when your visors won't block the angle of the sun. Safe behaviors create a safe environment for everyone on the road, including you and your rider. [SAFE BEHAVIOR] [REVIEW Develop safe habits and behaviors, like using your turn signals] [Communicate with other drivers on the road-- and with your rider]