Law Enforcement Role in Promoting Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety

Transcript

1. Helping Your Community Share & Be Aware Law Enforcement Role

   in Promoting Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety

2. Brought to you by

3. Share the road. An increasing number of bicyclists and pedestrians

   are using the road for transportation and recreation.

4. Class Goals ‣Review bike/pedestrian laws ‣Review common crash types and

   causes ‣Review law to enforce that improve bike/pedestrian safety

5. Pedestrians Wisconsin in 2011 saw 1,218 crashes, 57 fatalities, and

   1,169 injuries.

6. Types/Factors of Pedestrian Crashes (2011) ‣The number of injuries has

   decreased by 44% since 1990 ‣Most pedestrian crashes happen on weekdays between 3pm and 7pm ‣Street or road crossing: 45% ‣In crosswalk: 38% ‣Not in the roadway (e.g., parking lot, near curb): 3% ‣Unknown: 11% Source: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/crashfacts/docs/pedestrianfacts.pdf

7. Children Sustain Between 1/2 and 1/3 of All Pedestrian Injuries

   Each Year Contributing Factors Include: ‣Darting out into traffic ‣Driver inattention ‣Excessive vehicular speeds in neighborhoods or school zones

8. Speeding Kills

9. Violations to Enforce for Pedestrian Safety For Drivers: ‣Stop at

   the stop line before the crosswalk ‣Yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks {346.23(1)} ‣Drive the speed limit ‣Do not overtake & pass other vehicles yielding or stopped for pedestrians

10. Stop at the Stop Line Before the Crosswalk {346.02(4)(a)} Yield

    to Pedestrians in the Crosswalk {346.23(1)}

11. Pedestrian Responsibilities ‣Look both ways before stepping out into the

    street {346.24(2)} ‣Walk against traffic {346.28(1)} ‣Bright clothing and a light may be a good idea for pedestrians but are not required by law

12. Bicyclists Wisconsin in 2011 saw 1,048 crashes, 12 fatalities, and

    964 injuries.

13. Types/Factors of Bicycle Crashes Most common bicycle/motor vehicle crashes: ‣Motorist

    failing to yield the right of way to a straight- through bicyclist at an intersection when turning left ‣Motorist drives out at a sign control ‣Bicyclist riding through a sign control ‣Motorists turning right on red

14. Bicyclists Have Rights and Responsibilities ‣Vehicular Status: The bicycle is

    defined as a vehicle. {340.01(5)} The operator of a vehicle is granted the same rights and subject to the same duties of the driver of any other vehicle {346.02(4)(a)} ‣Give bicyclists three feet {346.075}

15. Right Hook and Left Hook Violate Right of Way Rules

16. Bicyclist Responsibilities ‣Obey all stop signs and traffic laws ‣Ride

    the same direction as traffic ‣Look back when changing lane position and use hand signals ‣Ride three feet from the edge or the road or parked cars in a straight line ‣Use front white headlight and read rear reflector or read rear blinking light

17. Ride in the same direction as other traffic {346.02(4)(a)} Stop

    for stop signs and signal lights {346.46} Use hand signals 50 feet before turning {346.45}

18. 2011 Assembly Bill 265 ‣Expanded definition of bicycle to include

    hand cycles ‣Alternate right turn signal for bicyclists allowed ‣Lighting of bicycles, motor bicycles, and electric personal assistive mobility devices ‣Overtaking and passing vehicles ‣Bicycles equipped with metal-studded tires ‣Moped Parking

19. Red Traffic Signal {346.37(1)(c)4} Allows a bicyclist, after stopping at

    a red signal for 45 seconds, to proceed cautiously through the intersection before the signal turns green, if no other vehicles are present at the intersection to actuate the signal and the operator believes the signal is vehicle actuated

20. New Right Hand Signal This bill allows bicyclists to use

    hand and arm signals for turns and stops with either hand and arm

21. Use front white headlight and rear red reflector or blinking

    light [347.489(1)}

22. Red Rear Light A lamp emitting a red light to

    the rear to be used as a substitute for the red reflector on a bicycle, motor bicycle, or EPAMD

23. Adding Hand Cycles to the Definition of Bicycles Adding hand

    cycles to the legal definition of bicycles, allows cycles propelled by hand to be operated with the same rights and responsibilities as other legal vehicles.

24. Allow the use of Studded Tires

25. Allow Municipalities to Regulate Moped Parking ‣This bill allows municipalities

    to enact ordinances considering mopeds as motorcycles rather than bicycles for the purpose of parking, allowing municipalities to prohibit parking on sidewalks and in bicycle parking areas ‣It also allows mopeds to be parked like motorcycles in parking spaces

26. No-Passing Zone A vehicle operator may cross the center line

    in a no-passing zone to overtake and pass, with care, any vehicle, including a bicycle, traveling at a speed less than half of the posted speed limit at the place of passing

27. Enforcement Programs ‣Positive reinforcement ‣Offer ice cream cone coupons to

    kids wearing helmets ‣Have a conversation with offenders ‣Offer law cards or safety brochures explaining hazards ‣Recommend classes ‣Pass out bike lights ‣Speed enforcement ‣Stop motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians in crosswalk ‣Give warnings ‣Give tickets

28. Crosswalk Awareness Initiative CDOT and City of Chicago 2011 Off-duty,

    undercover police officer posed as a pedestrian; drivers who didn’t stop for the pedestrian were pulled over by a police spotter further down the street

29. Bayside, Fox Point, and Shorewood Police Departments Encourage Helmet Use

    They “ticket” children wearing bicycle helmets with ice cream coupons

30. Bike Rodeos Teach kids starting, stopping, scanning, and looking left,

    right, left before entering traffic

31. Share & Be Aware Videos Video #1 / Video #2

32. How Share & Be Aware Can Help You ‣Two 30

    second Share & Be Aware PSAs for radio or television ‣Classes for seniors ‣Training for Driver’s Education Instructors ‣Classes for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists on safety ‣Bicycling commuting classes ‣Share & Be Aware billboards

33. Resources NHTSA Training Program ‣A 2-hour self-paced interactive video training

    for all law enforcement officers. It includes seven content sections and a final evaluation ‣Link

34. Thank you