September 2006

Health Notes:
Sharing the Rules of the Road

By Suzanne Mayr

The adage “parents are a child’s first teachers” is never more true than when it comes to teaching your child safe pedestrian and biking habits. Countless opportunities appear for pointing out safe habits as you and your child go about your day.

Since a drivers’ education class is the only place most people formally learn the rules of the road, it may have been a few years since you reviewed traffic rules. Here’s a chance to update your knowledge.

Rules of the Road 101 Quiz

1. When walking in an area with no sidewalks, you should walk facing the traffic flow.

True
False

True. Facing traffic allows you to see approaching vehicles and keeps you from walking with your back to oncoming traffic. However, law enforcement and safety experts agree that common sense should rule here – if the shoulder on the side facing traffic is not as safe or if you have to cross a dangerous road to get there, then use your best judgment. The law says to walk facing traffic “when practicable.”

2. You should look “left, right and left again” before stepping onto the roadway.

True
False

True. Make sure the roadway is clear before stepping into the crosswalk or intersection. Because vehicles approaching from the left are closest to you, that’s the first and last place you want to look before crossing the road. You may have learned to “stop, look and listen,” but this advice has been updated to “look left, right, and left again.” One more note: Treat the edge of a parked car like the edge of a roadway — stop and look left, right and left again before walking from behind a car onto the street.

3. Pedestrians always have the right of way.

True
False

False. Pedestrians have the right of way at an intersection or in a marked crosswalk. Vehicles have the right of way on other areas of the road, such as mid-block. That is in a perfect world where everyone follows the rules. Often drivers don’t stop for pedestrians when they are legally required to do so. That’s why it is important to teach youngsters “defensive pedestrian skills.” First signal to a driver that you are ready to cross by stopping at the curb, then make eye contact with the driver and continue watching for oncoming traffic as you cross. One final word: Lest you get righteous about claiming your pedestrian right of way, remember that by law, you are not allowed to dart in front of a car when the driver does not have enough time to stop.

4. Cyclists should ride with traffic.

True
False

True. By law, bicycles are considered vehicles, and need to follow the same rules as vehicle drivers. That means always riding with traffic, never against traffic, and following all signs and signals.

5. It’s OK to ride my bike on the sidewalk.

True
False

True, by state law. However, there may be local restrictions on sidewalk riding. Cyclists must follow pedestrian laws when riding on the sidewalk. Keep in mind that sidewalk riding isn’t all a walk in the park – cars pulling out of driveways or alleys present a real hazard. Often drivers don’t stop to look for pedestrians or cyclists at the sidewalk, but rather have their sights set on the road.

6. It’s important to teach beginning cyclists proper hand signals for turning.

True
False

Trick question. While children should learn how to properly signal their intent to turn to motorists when riding in traffic, hand signals would be low on the list of skills for a beginner to learn. Children should first master steering with both hands, braking, stopping safely and staying to the right of the sidewalk, trail or road. Once these skills are mastered, introduce skills used when riding in traffic, such as using turn signals, making left-hand turns in traffic and other defensive driving skills.

7. Bike helmets are required for all cyclists in Washington state.

True
False

Another trick question. There is no state law requiring helmet use, but most communities in Western Washington have city or county ordinances requiring an approved bike helmet for all cyclists, including adults. Some cities, such as Tacoma and Milton, require a helmet when participating in all wheeled sports, such as skateboarding, scootering and in-line skating. Even if it is not a law, all cyclists reduce their chance of sustaining a serious brain injury if they wear a properly fitting helmet. Be sure to teach by example!

8. Wearing light or reflective clothing makes pedestrians and cyclists more visible.

True
False

True, of course. But until day glow orange comes into fashion, it can be hard to fight the trend towards dark clothing. Plan to wear something light or bright, and affix reflective tape to jackets, shoes and other outwear. While riding in the car with your child, point out both the visible and hard-to-spot pedestrians.

9. Children will be able to master pedestrian safety skills after going through a safety class.

True
False

False. Despite the prevalence of many classroom educational campaigns, researchers find that classroom training alone still leaves children at substantial risk. The best approach supplements classroom knowledge with skills taught at home and emphasizes finding safe places to walk and cycle. Safe environments may include sidewalks, well-marked intersections, and places with speed bumps, roundabouts or other devices keep traffic traveling at lower speeds. Keep in mind that children don’t have the same abilities as adults to judge speed or distance correctly. They often overestimate their abilities, and some assume that if a car can see them, it will stop. Besides being physically smaller and harder for drivers to see, children have a narrower field of vision than adults do and are more impulsive.

Other safety tips:

• Pay attention to your child’s cognitive and physical development when making decisions about responsibility and independence.
• Help older children plan a safe route to school or other destinations using well-marked crosswalks and sidewalks.
• Carry a flashlight at dusk and when it is dark.
• Give vehicles plenty of room to stop – at 30 mph on dry, level pavement, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.

Teaching by example, reinforcing safe pedestrian and cycling practices and keeping your child’s developmental abilities in mind will help you steer your child towards a lifetime of safe walking and cycling.

Suzanne Mayr is an Injury Prevention Specialist at Tacoma Pierce County Health Department (253-798-3765, www.tpchd.org) and member of Safe Kids Pierce County. Suzanne shares her passion for walking and cycling with her three sons in Fircrest.

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Northwest Parent Media
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