City of Davis

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• Traffic Safety for Students and Parents
• Guia para la Seguridad Escolar

A. Bicycle Safety

1. Be predictable - follow all traffic laws and avoid "surprising" motorists.
2. Be conspicuous - always wear bright clothing during the day, and white or light colored clothing at night.
3. Before getting on your bike, always check it out to make sure it's safe by giving it a quick inspection - this includes checking for loose parts such as handlebars, seats and pedals - and checking for proper tire pressure.
4. Always wear a helmet, and make sure it's properly fitted.
5. Use bike lanes and paths whenever available Otherwise, always ride on the right side of the road - with traffic.
6. Always stop at stop signs and red lights
7. Before entering the street from a driveway, sidewalk, or bike path, always stop first, and look left, right, and left again before proceeding.
8. When riding at night, always make sure you have a good light, as well as reflectors on the back of the bike, on your pedals and in the wheels. Small, red, blinking lights on the back are also a good idea and relatively cheap.
9. Use hand signals whenever possible before turning.
10. Never make a left turn from the right hand bike lane.  Make your turns from the left turn lane, or if there isn't one, get in the middle of the travel lane before turning.  Alternately, you can use crosswalks just like pedestrians.

B. Vehicle Safety

Speeds

1. Never drive faster than it is safe for weather, roadway conditions or traffic conditions. The posted speed limit is for ideal conditions.
2. If for some reason you must drive slower than other traffic, drive in the closest to the right hand lane as possible. DO NOT use your four way flashers/hazard flashers while moving. Only use them when at a complete stop.
3. If you can not maintain the speed limit and conditions allow you to maintain it, use smaller surface streets. It may be a longer route, but it will be safer for all motorists.
4. Maximum speed on freeway is posted at 65 mph. While pulling a trailer a vehicle may only travel at 55 mph.
5. County roads speeds are 55 mph when not otherwise posted.

Overtaking/Passing

1. When passing another vehicle or bicycle, pass on the left allowing a safe distance to not interfere with the overtaken vehicle.
2. Always ensure you have sufficient room to pass. Never pass on a curve or a grade.
3. You may pass to the right only if you can do so safely and only if you do not drive off the paved or main traveled section of the roadway.

Right of Way

1. Never insist on the right of way. If someone else violates your right of way, allow them.  It will only delay you a few seconds.
2. When stopped at an intersection the person to the right has the right of way except when a driver approaches the intersection on a terminating roadway. He/she must yield the right of way to the person on a continuing highway.
3. Share the roadway with bicyclists. They have the same rights and rules on the roadway as a motor vehicle.

Safety Restraints

1. Driver is responsible for all passengers. They must ensure all passengers are seated and belted properly before the vehicle is placed in motion.
2. Seat belts MUST be worn as designed. A shoulder belt behind the back is dangerous and illegal.
3. Children less than twenty pounds must be in a rear facing child restraint seat.
4. Children under six years old and under 60 pounds must be restrained in a child safety seat
5. Children over 30 lbs must be in child restraint seat or “booster seat” to allow the seatbelts to fit properly.

Inclement weather

1. Use your headlamps whenever vision is obscured due to weather conditions.
2. You must use your headlamps when your windshield wipers are on continuously.
3. When in fog use low beam lamps only, both day and night. Reduce your speed.  Watch closely for other vehicles.  DO NOT tailgate in heavy fog conditions.
4. First rain of the season; watch out for slippery road conditions. The collective oils and debris of the summer rise to the surface reducing the roadway friction.
5. Replace windshield wipers in October to ensure a good clear windshield through the winter.
6. When traveling long distances, maintain a survival kit including packaged food, water, blankets, flashlights and a battery powered portable radio.

Warm Weather Driving

1. Maintain the vehicle coolant levels.
2. Maintain a clean and debris free windshield.
3. Check tire pressure and tread regularly
4. Use air conditioner with windows up to obtain better fuel mileage.
5. When A/C is on do not turn stereo up so loud as to drown out other outside noises, i.e… horns and sirens……
6. Maintain a survival kit same as the winter kit.

Following emergency vehicles

1. When you see red light and hear a siren, pull to the right curb safely, stop and wait for them to pass. Check for other emergency traffic before pulling back into the traffic lane.
2. Never follow an emergency vehicle closely. They may make an abrupt direction and/or speed changes.
3. Pass parked fire apparatus cautiously. Firefighters may be entering or exiting the apparatus with various pieces of equipment.
4. When a patrol car is stopped on the side of the road with its red and blue lights on, allow extra room when passing.