Tag Archives: intersections

Bicycle And Pedestrian Safety, Highway Safety, Safe Driving Tips

PA Bicycle Rules Change

PA Gets A Safe Passing Law

On February 2, 2012, Governor Corbett signed House Bill 170 into law, making a few changes to the rules of the road concerning bicycles.  PA’s new “Safe Passing” law is intended to protect bicyclists on the roads, and takes effect in 60 days.  Here’s what you need to know about the new law.

  • If you’re passing a bicyclist, you MUST leave at least 4 feet between your car and the bicycle, and you MUST pass at a reasonably reduced speed.  In other words, slow down and leave plenty of room when passing a bike.
  • As a car driver, you CANNOT interfere with the path of a bicyclist.  This means you CANNOT pass a bicyclist and then immediately turn right in front of them.  If you need to turn right, slow down and do so after the bike clears the intersection.
  • As a bicyclist, you MUST keep your bike as close to the right edge of the road as possible to allow faster traffic to safely move around you.
Safe Driving Tips

Fatal Intersection Crashes Declining

A new study issued by the National Safety Council reports that fatal crashes at intersections with traffic lights decreased by 17% and fatal crashes at intersections involving red-light running decreased by 27% from 2005 to 2009.

The study analyzed fatal crash data in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, using statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“This report shows that we are making large strides as a nation in reducing crashes at intersections,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council.  “However, despite the improvement there were still 12,396 fatal crashes at intersections with traffic lights, including 4,394 fatal intersection crashes involving red-light running during that five year period. While we are making progress, the 13,266 fatalities from these crashes remind us that we have much more to do. Each of us should consider these statistics and the measures we can take to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.”