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Doesn’t it seem to you lately that people are driving faster, even more recklessly? Or is that just our imagination?

With more Virginians on the highways and byways since several COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have been lifted, the chances of fender-benders, major accidents and even fatalities will likely have increased. Regardless, there are ways to significantly decrease such possibilities, but it takes the combined attentiveness and consideration of three groups that use the roads: vehicle drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Each must be thoroughly familiar with the rules of driving. For example, cyclists (both bicycle and the motor kind) ride with traffic, while pedestrians are to walk facing traffic, preferably as far from any motor vehicle as feasible.

Although Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Month is coming up in September, it’s also a practice that’s good for the 11 other months.

As a Drive Smart Virginia board member puts it, “Everyone has the right to use the roadways, and it is important that everyone is looking out for each other.”