NEWS RELEASE
City of Takoma Park Police Department
• 7500 Maple Avenue • Takoma Park, Md 20912
For more information contact:
Public Information Officer (PIO)
Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901
May 22, 2009 (1:45 p.m.)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On May 21, 2009, at approximately 5:57 p.m., Takoma Park Police officers responded to the intersection of Westmoreland Avenue and Carroll Avenue for reports of a cyclist struck by a motor vehicle. The cyclist was traveling northbound on Carroll Avenue and the striking vehicle was traveling southbound on Carroll Avenue. The driver of the vehicle made a left hand turn, at which point he struck the cyclist. The cyclist was transported to Washington Adventist Hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle was issued a Maryland State Citation for failing to yield the right of way while making a left hand turn.
Bicyclists are less visible, quieter, and don’t have a protective barrier around them as the motorists. Motorists should drive carefully around a bicyclist; a slight mistake can result in injury or death. Bicyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles.
Always expect to encounter a bicyclist on the road: on all types of roads, in all types of weather and at all times of the day and night. Bicyclists may be riding out in the travel lane for their own safety due to narrow roads, obstacles, or broken pavement.
Pass a bicyclist as you would any slow-moving vehicle. After passing a bicyclist, check over your shoulder to make sure you have allowed enough room before moving over.
Always assume bicyclists are traveling through an intersection unless they signal otherwise, and yield to them as you would to any other slow-moving vehicle. Do not turn left or right in front of bicyclists unless you can do so safely.
Please drive carefully and share the road.
Posted by Plevy at May 22, 2009 01:46 PM