Nationwide, Bicycle Fatalities Continue to Rise Year over Year
Knoxville, TN – May is National Bike Safety Month and AAA encourages all bicyclists to take necessary precautions while sharing the road with motorists. This means making safety a top priority, not just in May, but throughout the year.
Bicycle fatalities continue to increase across the U.S. according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
[1]According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 63 percent of bicyclists killed in 2013 reportedly were not wearing helmets.
Head injuries are the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes, but wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet has been shown to reduce the risk according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“Head injuries are the leading cause of death in 80% of bicycle crashes,” said Don Lindsey, TN Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “It is critical to always wear a helmet.”
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AAA and its Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation ask adults to set good examples for novice and young riders by always wearing a helmet and obeying traffic laws. Everyone, regardless of age or skill level, should wear a bicycle helmet on every ride.
Tips for Bicyclists
- Ride on the roadway or shared pathways, rather than on sidewalks.
- Follow the same rules of the road as other roadway users, including riding in the same direction as traffic and following all the same traffic signs and signals.
- Signal all turns.
- Wear a properly-fitted bicycle helmet every time you ride.
- Be visible by wearing bright colors during the day, reflective gear in low light conditions, and use head and tail lights at night.
- Remember that respect is a two way street. Show motorists the same courtesy that you expect from them.
Tips for Motorists
- Stay alert—avoid all distractions while driving.
- Yield to bicyclists when turning.
- Make a visual check for bicyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic.
- Slow down and give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist
- NEVER honk your horn at a bicyclist—it could cause them to swerve into traffic or off the roadway and crash.
- Always check for bicyclists before opening your car door.
- Children on bicycles are often unpredictable—expect the unexpected.
About Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation
Established by AAA – The Auto Club Group in 2010, Auto Club Group Traffic Safety Foundation, Inc. (ACGTSF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and public charity dedicated to producing a significant and continuous reduction in traffic crashes, injuries and deaths in the communities targeted by its efforts.
ACGTSF provides programs, education and outreach to increase public awareness about the importance of traffic safety and improve driving behavior. ACGTSF is funded by voluntary, tax-deductible contributions from organizations and individuals who support ACGTSF’s purpose. Visit www.AAA.com/foundation [3] for more information.
About The Auto Club Group
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America. ACG and its affiliates provide membership, travel, insurance and financial services offerings to approximately 9 million members across eleven states and two U.S. territories including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; most of Illinois and Minnesota; and a portion of Indiana.
ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 55 million members in the United States and Canada and whose mission includes protecting and advancing freedom of mobility and improving traffic safety.