Every new school year there is a lot of emphasis on road safety, and rightfully so. Those streets that were quiet and easy to navigate are now filled with the hustle and bustle of students going to and from school.
Many safety reminders are geared towards drivers in the community. Remember to slow down in school zones and drive with caution when school is in session, and watch for children walking who may not be paying attention.
Some students come by bus, so drivers are reminded to come to a complete stop when they see that school bus stop sign come out, and wait until every last set of feet are safely on the sidewalk before proceeding.
Then there are the cyclists and skateboarders to watch out for. Although it can be hard sharing the road with bicycles sometimes, getting from point A to point B can be simple when everyone follows the rules. But it isn’t always like that, is it?
With so much focus on whether or not vehicles are driving carefully, are we forgetting bikes and pedestrians also have to obey the rules of the road? In Barrhead it’s starting to seem this way.
Skateboarders and cyclists, the majority being student-aged, are drifting lazily down the middle of the road, rather than staying to one side away from traffic.
A number of these youth, whether they're on two wheels or four, have been zipping about town without a helmet. Maybe they're tired of hearing their parents nag them about safe cycling, or they find road safety messages something they can’t relate to. But a helmet, that simple plastic headpiece, can be the difference between life and death. More concerning though, is that they aren't stopping. Not only is it illegal to breeze through a stop sign or red light, it's also hazardous to themselves and others on the road.
Whether you’re out walking your dog, going on a casual bike ride through town, or skateboarding to meet up with your friends, a red light is a red light. A stop sign isn’t there to be a nuisance, it’s there to ensure the safety of everyone on the road.
If they have a green light, a car should not have to slow down or stop because someone on a bicycle fails to obey the rules of the road. The majority of the time this will only result in a frustrated driver and perhaps a few curse words, but is that something you really want to take a chance with?
