New bicyclist and pedestrian safety messages, among others, added to Department of Licensing driver guides

We teamed up with DOL officials to update and improve safety messages

By Barbara LaBoe

We're all the time in search of new methods to speak about transportation safety, and our newest work with the state Department of Licensing is not any exception.

While we don't conduct driver license tests, our agency worked with DOL to add several safety suggestions to the new version of the Washington
Driver Guide that debuted this month.

We do not train or experiment power drivers, but as atransportation firm we are really invested in improving security for all travelers. So we have been excited to work with DOL on their newest driver e book replace to assist unfold a few of our fundamental messages to a entire new generation of travelers. (It also is going with out saying that any present licensed driver short of to comb up on their wisdom and read about new legal guidelines can discover the brand new e book as well.)

The "Dutch Reach" method of opening vehicle doors with your far hand helps exiting drivers and passengers see oncoming bicyclists or vehicles and was one of the additional safety items we suggested be added to the new driver guide.

The new Washington Driver Guide (pdf 2.56 mb) got here out previous this month. Paper copies are reachable at any state driver licensing office.



Some of essentially some of the foremost obvious updates we labored on are new and extra tough sections in regards to the security of folks strolling or rolling (ie these who use bicycles or wheelchairs).



An example? A part has been additional at the "Dutch Reach" for folks exiting vehicles. The "Dutch Reach" – popularized within the Netherlands – access advises drivers and passengers exiting automobiles to make use of their far hand to attain throughout their physique and open the car door. Reaching throughout reasons a consumer to turn their physique and supports them see any local bicyclists within the process. This also prevents drivers from beginning car doorways too quick and supports avoid a passing driver from tearing off your car door, the brand new book states.



Several updates also had been made to equally the motorist, motorcyclist and bicyclist obligation and guidelines sections – to guarantee all tourists recognize the legal guidelines pertaining to themselves and others. The book consists of a few expanded security tips.



Safe journey for all modes of transportation – adding folks who stroll or motorbike – is an ongoing undertaking at our firm and a couple of others. Updating the driver book is one extra method to assist boom awareness about this principal situation and, hopefully, scale back the quantity of folks injured or killed every year.



In addition to bicyclist and pedestrian safety, we also labored with the DOL on a couple of different security matters including:

Work Zone Safety
Letting drivers recognize that the majority work zone crashes are preventable simply due to the fact they are resulting from speeding, following too intently ordistracted driving.
Reminding motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists that they ought to yield to any street construction personnel, automobiles with flashing yellow lights, or tools internal a street construction or repairs work zone.
Washington State Ferries
Adding recordsdata about tips on find out the right thanks to competently method ferry terminals, adding how protecting traces work, tips on find out the right thanks to keep away from chopping traces and exact regulations that apply.
Railroad Crossing Safety
Adding teach security news corresponding to trains typically cannot be heard as they method and that no particular individual ought to ever attempt to outrun one. In addition, no particular individual ought to ever cross round activated crossing fingers simply due to the fact trains can journey from the two direction and one other teach might be approaching even once you notice one pass.
Adding news about calling the Emergency Notification System quantity observed on a blue signal or steel manage box close to every railroad crossing in case your car will get caught at the tracks. This permits dispatchers to cease trains which can be approaching and in addition dispatch emergency crews.
Whether you are reading in your first driver experiment or simply desire to examine out what's new, please evaluation the brand new driver courses and their wealth of information. The extra all of us recognize about tips on find out the right thanks to dwell secure throughout our travels the better.