Vehicle/Pedestrian Safety

1. Vehicle/Pedestrian Safety June 2013 Cyclist hit from behind, W. Jemez Rd., Summer 2009 (from L.A. Monitor)

2. Data from Various Sources • Every 13 minutes, someone dies on America’s roadways. Fatalities include drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and every other kind of road user. • Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for all 15- to 20-year-olds • Distraction contributes to more than 5,000 traffic fatalities each year; 46% of teenagers text while driving • Teens are among the riskiest drivers on the road, crashing 4 times more often than adult drivers do

3. Data: Crashes on LANL/DOE Roads • Total number of crashes • 193 (CY2009) • 169 (CY2010) • 151 (CY2011) • Three employee fatalities since 2001 • 2001 motorcyclist on Diamond Drive • 2010 motorist on Truck Route • 2011 motorist on Pajarito Road • Many serious, life-changing injuries • POV/bicycle accident in 2009 resulted in serious injuries to cyclist; cyclist and motorist both LANL employees. • Rollover accident on 4-15-12 at TA-22 (behind the fence); SOC driver/vehicle; alcohol involved

4. “How’s My Driving?” • Launched on March 1, 2012 • Magnetic stickers on Government vehicles • Raise driver awareness of their responsibilities for operating GOVs • Provide an easy way to report concerns • RLMs asked to followup with driver when concern reported and take appropriate action

5. GOV Rules • Should be posted at GOV checkout points • Be familiar with the controls and features of the GOV • Fatality and near-miss at LLNL; near miss at Sandia • Have a current driver’s license and be at least 18 years old • Do NOT use cellular phones or other similar electronic devices or perform other distracting activities • Yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and in crosswalks • Allow a distance of at least 5 feet from bicycles when passing (it’s the law)

6. Motorist Safety • Always use seat belts • Perform periodic 360 degree vehicle safety check • Abide by speed limits • Practice situational awareness • Drunk, careless, fatigued, or inattentive driving kills • Inattention: at sixty miles per hour, your vehicle travels almost a football field in three seconds. “Do I know what is in my path right now?”

7. Bicycle Safety • Same rules of the road as motorists; obey traffic signs, signals, and lane markings • Wear a properly fitted helmet • Be visible—don’t ride in the “gutter” and use lights at night • Five foot law overtaking law applies to you, too • If riding on the sidewalk, pass pedestrians slowly & warn them before overtaking (leave enough room); look for cars before crossing driveways and at intersections • If you haven’t, take a bike safety class • Practice situational awareness (same as in the laboratory)

8. Pedestrian Safety • Use designated crossings where/when provided • Watch for cars even if you have the right-of-way • Don’t text while walking, especially while crossing a street • Watch for bicyclists on sidewalks • Be visible and pay attention • Be especially careful of the “right on red” violation at a crosswalk

9. Quiz • Y/N Motorists must allow 5 ft when passing a bicyclist. Does the same rule apply to a bicyclist passing a motor vehicle? • T/F Los Alamos County has a law prohibiting cell phone use while driving. • T/F Motorists must stop for pedestrians when they are in a crosswalk. • T/F It is legal to make a right turn on a red arrow. • T/F It is safer to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk than in the street. • T/F After coming across the bridge and approaching the VAP, it is legal to turn right on red after stopping.

10. Other Stuff • Ask questions; don’t make assumptions. If you don’t know who to ask or you have a safety concern, call 665-SAFE or send an e-mail to safety@lanl.gov • Do you have a current work plan? If not, or you don’t know, talk to your mentor. • LA County system to alert you of emergencies via cell phone:https://www.losalamos.us/emo/Pages/TelephoneAlertingSystem.aspx • If the town is evacuated because of wildfire, what will you do? Make a plan.