Cycling on the roads is an activity that many people enjoy. They can do it just as a hobby, as exercise, or for commuting. However, the roads are dangerous for bicyclists. One of the biggest road threats bicyclists face is distracted motorists. Distracted driving keeps on rising and leads to an increase in the risk of bicycle accidents.
If you are a cyclist and a distracted driver hits you, you should consider suing for a bicycle accident caused by distracted driving to recover damages and hold the responsible party accountable. Before that, you should know the different ways distracted motorists pose a threat to bicyclists so that you can be more cautious on the road and prevent accidents.
Failure to Yield Right of Way
One of the common mistakes drivers make is failure to yield the right of way to cyclists at intersections. Distracted drivers may not see cyclists approaching from the side street, or they may misjudge the speed at which a cyclist is traveling. At stop signs, distracted drivers might roll through without noticing an approaching cyclist, leading to potentially life-threatening collisions.
For example, when motorists look at their phones or talk to passengers, they might fail to check for cyclists before turning or entering an intersection correctly. It can lead to severe accidents.
Inaccurate Lane Changes or Turns
Motorists may not stay within their designated lanes when distracted, which becomes dangerous when a cyclist is riding near them. The driver may drift into the bicycle lane without realizing it, forcing the cyclist off the road or into the traffic. Alternatively, distracted drivers might fail to give the cyclist adequate space when passing a cyclist, squeezing past them too closely.
It can result in a sideswipe. The three-foot rule, a law in many states requiring drivers to give cyclists a minimum of three feet of space when passing, often goes unobserved by distracted drivers, putting cyclists at serious risk.
Risk of Rear-End Collisions
A driver may fail to notice that a cyclist has slowed down or come to a stop when they are distracted. In these situations, the driver might collide with the cyclist, causing a rear-end collision.
These collisions can be harmful to cyclists, as they are often thrown from the bicycle, which may cause head injuries, broken bones, or sometimes fatalities. Even if the cyclist is wearing protective gear, the impact can be severe.
Aggressive Driving Behaviors
Distracted drivers are more likely to engage in aggressive behaviors. A driver distracted by a phone, food, or other factors may be frustrated with traffic or in a hurry, leading them to tailgate cyclists or try to pass in dangerous situations. This aggressive driving can increase the chances of severe accidents. Cyclists may feel pressured to ride faster or take risky steps to avoid confrontation, which may lead to accidents.
Failure to Observe Traffic Signals
Many bicycle accidents occur when a motorist fails to properly observe traffic signals or signs. A distracted motorist might miss a red light or stop sign, failing to stop at an intersection where a cyclist has the right of way. This lapse in judgment could result in a dangerous T-bone or head-on collision, especially hazardous for cyclists.
How to Reduce These Threats
The responsibility of reducing the risk to cyclists doesn’t fall solely on the motorists. Everyone shares the responsibility. Here are some steps to prevent these accidents:
- Promoting awareness about distracted driving and its dangers helps to prevent accidents. Public campaigns can remind drivers to put down their phones, avoid distractions, and remain alert while driving.
- Enforcing stricter laws regarding distracted driving can help reduce these dangerous behaviors. Penalties for texting or using a phone while driving should be communicated and rigorously enforced.
- Cities and towns can invest in better infrastructure, including dedicated lanes, clearly marked bicycle paths, and improved signage at intersections to make cyclists more visible and reduce the risk of accidents.
- Cyclists should be educated on the best practices for visibility, riding defensively, and obeying traffic laws to reduce their own risk.
