Spring is here and soon, all the kids who don't have Xbox, Nintendo, the
internet or other assorted electronic-static loading-tendonitis
creating devices will be out on the streets riding their bike.
The
law states that cyclists are to ride on the right side of the road
which is with traffic. Most kids and adults alike do not like riding
with their back to traffic, however. They like to see what is coming
toward them. When they do ride on the wrong side of the road, some will
pull off onto the shoulder when they see a car coming at them.
Unfortunately, many will exercise their "right of way" and play chicken
with the two ton vehicle approaching them.
The "pedestrian
right of way" is a dangerous law. Many pedestrians and especially
children are maimed or killed each year because they are taught as
pedestrians they have the right of way over a vehicle. Whether they do
or not, my parents taught me to stop, look and listen. Then look again,
then look as I am crossing. When it comes to a 4,000 pound hunk of
steel barreling toward me and my well-being, I'm gonna let the car go by
without challenge and give up my legal right to stare it down.
A
woman and her two year old child, in the city of Troy, NY, were
recently killed when she exercised her right of way and stepped in front
of a moving vehicle at an intersection. The city is now trying to
figure out how to make the intersection more safe and are considering
lowering the speed limit. Nobody is talking about attempting to educate
people that the act of dueling with a car is a risky battle which could
result in death. The right of way is a right I won't risk my life on,
unlike some people.
Anyway, there are two reasons for teaching
your kids to ride on the right side. When a car is coming up behind
you, the driver has more control over the situation because he can
easily judge your speed and trajectory and, he can safely go around
you. When you are facing him, you are adding a direction and speed that
he can't compensate for. Also, if your kid is facing oncoming traffic,
he may see that the car is yielding to the center of the road and the
child will most likely remain on the white line. This is very dangerous
because now the driver is calculating oncoming traffic and your kid's
assertiveness and may try to squeeze between both cyclist and whatever
is in the other lane. The driver certainly doesn't want to risk a head
on collision and being unlikely to slow down, he will risk the squeeze.
Again, a child with his back to traffic is most likely to ride on the
shoulder and this lemon squeeze situation will not present itself. An
ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
The biggest reason
to ride on the right side is because when a cyclist is riding on the
wrong or left side, because he feels more safe when he can face traffic,
a car pulling out of a driveway or side street whose intention is to
make a right turn is not looking to the right. As he is approaching the
main street he is concerned with traffic coming from the left. As your
child is approaching from the right, the driver of the vehicle most
likely will not see him, especially if the driver of the car is not
coming to a complete stop and merely yielding to what is on his left.
Your child, who knows he has the right of way will ride in front of the
car while the driver is looking in the opposite direction. An unhappy
union will occur if the driver doesn't turn his head to the right in
time to see your little soldier. If you don't understand this
explanation, get on a bike, ride on the left side and pull in front of
cars which are turning right. You'll figure it out real quick.
Of
course any driver who runs over your child will be ticketed or arrested
for manslaughter, but, take comfort in knowing that your child was
exercising their right of way. Good for them for standing their ground.
You can't take for granted that every driver is conscientious,
aware of their complete surroundings or even paying attention. Teach
children to stop, look and listen. And, never mention that they have
the right of way. What they know, can hurt them.
No comments:
Post a Comment