Follow these seven tips for safe traffic jamming:
1. Always leave yourself an out.
Scan the situation and make sure you have got a safe exit route in the
event something crazy happens. If you can swerve into a driveway or
you have left plenty of room to brake, you'll drastically reduce the
chances of an accident.
2. Be non confrontational.
Drivers are under a lot of stress and they can lose it at times. You
might be tempted to reciprocate. But do not because it serves no purpose
and may exacerbate the situation. Instead, take a deep breath and let
it go. Do not let someone else's stress rub off on you.
3. Remember to signal early.
If you intend to turn at an intersection, especially if you are moving into
the left-turn lane, signal early. And, do not move left until it is safe
to do so. If you get trapped on the right curb due to heavy traffic,
wait until it is safe to get in the left-turn lane. Sometimes, it
possible to turn right (if that road is less busy), execute a legal
U-turn and use the light to proceed through the intersection the way
you want to go.
4. Be careful not to stop on an oil slick.
Motor vehicles leak oil, and the deposits are usually in the middle of
the lane at an intersection. Riding through this stuff is bad for your
tires and can lead to loss of traction and a crash when you start
pedaling again.
5. Don't get doored!
If you are approaching an intersection and parked cars are on your right,
remain alert for drivers exiting their cars. Should they swing open
their door, you'll have to react quickly to avoid a serious crash.
6. Eye contact is key.
For safety in traffic, always try to establish eye contact before
moving in front of cars. When you're behind a slow-moving vehicle, try
to meet the driver's eyes by looking in his mirrors and don't pass
until he lets you know it's safe to.
7.Always expect the worst
and ride accordingly. If you can adopt this attitude at all times, you'll be safest
in traffic and elsewhere.
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