20181106-QI_SAFE-BEHAVIOR
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[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]