Kenmore ramps up pedestrian and bike road safety

Published 3:08 pm Thursday, March 12, 2015

With spring just around the corner people are starting to head outside in droves, though the lack of sleep with daylight savings and the new hours of darkness can throw locals through a loop.

The city of Kenmore has ramped up safety with electronic road signs reminding drivers to watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Darker morning hours, when many commuters drive to work or drop off kids at school, can bring increased risk for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Historically in Kenmore, the spring and summer months have higher incidents of collisions between pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles, with the month of March being particularly dangerous.

In alignment with Kenmore’s Target Zero safety campaign, here are some safety tips to help keep Kenmore streets safe for all users.

1) Be on the lookout for the unexpected

Drivers should pay attention to all users on the road and be prepared for unexpected incidents. However, pedestrians and bicyclists also need to ensure they are aware of their surroundings, not assuming that drivers see or are aware of them and making sure to watch for drivers turning without signals.

2) Don’t be a distracted road user

Recently, Washington State legislature passed a law banning the use of smart phones while on the road, even at a stop light. Texting and talking on a hand-held device are banned while driving as well.

3) See and be seen

Pedestrians should also put the phone down, at least while at crosswalks and areas of high retail traffic or oncoming traffic. Making eye contact with the drivers on the road, whether a pedestrian or bicyclist, will also improve your chances of seeing and being seen on the roads. Brightly colored clothing or reflective gear is also suggested, while city hall has free flashing safety lights for citizens.

4) Stop, look and listen

Just like back in the old days, the best preventative medicine the responsible actions citizens take every day. Simply stopping, looking and listening for oncoming traffic or dangerous situations can improve road safety for all road users.

By following these basic safety tips, citizens can directly impact creating a Kenmore road environment where all users are safe. For more information and year-round safety tips, please visit www.kenmorewa.gov/targetzero.