Whether you're riding a bicycle or walking down the street, there are ways to lessen the risks of getting hit by a car.
Riding a bike means exercise and family time for Arine Adams, who arrived at Bike Tech off Vineville Ave. to repair a bicycle for one of her grandchildren.
"I ran over one, so I think it's my obligation to go get them fixed," she said.
Before Adams hits the pavement, she makes sure her five- and seven-year-old grandchildren are well-protected with helmets.
"I walk with them as they ride their bicycles to make sure that they don't get into the road unattended," said Adams.
A man riding a bicycle up Martin Luther King Boulevard was hit by a Macon bus Tuesday morning and died by noon.
That's exactly the kind of accident Adams hopes to avoid.
"We don't need more tragedies. I live in Jones County. There's no hospital there, and we need to be as safe as possible," Adams said.
According to the Governor's Office of Highway Safety, in 2012, pedestrian fatalities accounted for 11-percent of all traffic deaths. That's compared to the national average of 14-percent.
There are a few things to keep a person safer on the road.
- Pedestrians: Walk on a sidewalk whenever available; walk facing traffic if no sidewalk is available; cross at crosswalks; cross in a well-lit area if no crosswalk is available; make eye contact with drivers as they approach you; wear reflective materials; and refrain from using cell phones, ear phones or other electronic devices while walking to minimize distractions.
- Cyclists: Ride on the road; obey all traffic laws; use front and rear lights if riding in low-light or at night; flow with traffic and signal your intentions; wear bright, reflective clothing; maintain a consistent line of travel; don't weave in and out of lanes.
"I'm always cautious about motor bikes and bicycles and anything that leaves you open and vulnerable," said Adams.
