According to many news sources, Lafayette Parish has seen many of its residents being involved in bicycle crashes in the past 5 years, 344 to be exact. Residents have seen 18 of these crashes resulting in severe injuries and 7 fatal incidents. According to city officials, people are fed up. Awareness must be brought to the locals so this staggering number of casualties will be a thing of the past.
Local news articles have reported that the city is getting many measures done to bring awareness to the bicycle safety issue. Education is the number one priority at this stage. The public must be aware of the laws and aware of how to deal with cyclists when driving down the road.
Education for bicyclists is also a priority. Bikers should never ride against the traffic, according to an official. Headlamps and flashing red tail lamps are important when riding during nighttime and, as far as motorist’s education goes, drivers should be aware of their vehicle power: the car must be three feet away from the cyclists when passing them.
After education, biker friendly paths will be increased, according to local reports. The city hopes to prevent possible accidents in the future.
As a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer I hope that Lafayette Parish may be successful in bringing awareness to its residents, drivers or riders alike. Bicycle safety is a major priority for my fellow personal injury lawyers and me.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) recently announced that May will be designated as National Bike Safety Month. Teaming up with the American Automobile Association (AAA) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the “Roll Model” campaign was launched to remind both parents and caregivers they should set a positive example to children as well as teens to ride bicycles safely. The campaign also provides adults with an opportunity to improve their own bike safety habits. According to the DOT, the average age of a bicyclist that is killed in an accident is 41.
One of the campaign’s major focuses is the importance of wearing a properly fitting helmet to decrease the chance of a serious injury occurring if an accident happens. Since children look up to their parents as well as other adults for direction and guidance, the campaign endeavors for parents to wear helmets and observe the rules of the road every time they ride a bicycle to encourage children and teens to follow their example. Also, the campaign reminds bikers they are to follow the same traffic laws as motorized vehicles, such as signaling their turn intentions and obeying traffic lights and stop signs.
Adults are also reminded in the “Roll Model” campaign that they need to share the road as well as treat bicyclists with respect when driving a motor vehicle. Motorists should wait patiently and only pass a biker when it is safe to do so, being careful to leave at least three feet between the bicyclist and their vehicle. Motorists should also avoid distractions, such as cell phones, when driving, as using mobile devices significantly impairs a driver’s ability to be aware of nearby bicyclists, and may result in a serious injury accident.
The Los Angeles personal injury lawyers at Panish Shea & Boyle LLP are all too familiar with the difficulties a serious accident can cause an injured victim and his or her family. If you sustained injuries in an accident you believe was caused by the negligence of another, call our highly experienced and skilled attorneys today. We can help you understand your legal options and obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Call 1-877-800-1700 today.
