Pedestrians & Cyclists: Choices to Save Lives
Another Life Needlessly Lost
In Cayman, people shouldn’t have to worry about whether they’ll make it home when they do something as simple as cross the street, go for a run, or ride their bike... but unfortunately, our roads tell a different story. Of the 28 road fatalities that have occurred in Cayman since the beginning of 2023, a quarter have been cyclists or pedestrians – vulnerable road users with little protection whose safety depends on other road users taking responsibility and being careful when behind the wheel of their vehicles. Each life lost is a stark reminder that taking road safety seriously is not optional; it is the key to ensuring that more loved ones make it home safely.
The reality that we must acknowledge is that cyclists and pedestrians are extremely vulnerable on our roads, and we must all learn how to respect everyone’s rights to be safe and to get home at the end of each day.
In this iteration of our blog series for the National Road Safety Cayman campaign, we’re raising awareness of vulnerable road users, and encouraging you to be smart on our roads and do your part to ensure the cyclist you pass on the road makes it home to their family at the end of the day. Remember: Smart gives room. Reckless takes lives.
Car vs. Bicycle
The average weight of the modern car is approximately 4,000lbs; match that up against the weight of the average bicycle at about 20lbs and in a collision, the cyclist bears the overwhelming risk of serious injury or worse. Without the safety features and protection provided by a car, cyclists and pedestrians face a much greater likelihood of serious injury in any collision. When you see a cyclist out on Cayman’s roads, it’s not just about getting past them as quickly as possible because they’re going slower than you... the Cayman Islands Road Code mandates that you give cyclists the proper space and pass them at a safe speed. You never know if they’ll need to swerve around a pothole or an obstacle that might bring them out into the road, so giving them the room they need ensures they can manoeuvre safely, and you can avoid colliding with them.
Respecting Pedestrians: The Crosswalk Rules
Whether they’re walking or running, or just standing on the side of the road, it’s important that you also give pedestrians the respect they deserve on the road. Like cyclists, pedestrians also lack protective barriers, meaning a collision with a vehicle can have serious or even fatal consequences.
When you’re driving, it is important to look out for pedestrians; particularly if they’re waiting at a marked crosswalk – and if the lights are flashing at a crossing, the Road Code requires that you come to a full stop and wait until they have fully crossed the road before continuing past. Following simple rules like this are all part of our responsibility to promote safe driving in Cayman.
If using these crosswalks as a pedestrian, you should remember to always look both ways before crossing and to ensure that vehicles on either side have come to a complete stop before crossing. Even with the lights flashing, it is important to STOP – LOOK – LISTEN before crossing and continue to check the road remains clear when passing. Never assume that a vehicle will stop – always wait for traffic in both directions to come to a stop before crossing.
We All Have a Part to Play
Everyone has a responsibility when driving on Cayman’s roads to respect those around them, whether they are in a vehicle, on a bicycle, or on foot. This is a community effort, and we urge everyone to do their part to promote a safer driving culture within Cayman. Let’s work together to reduce the number of fatalities across Cayman on our roads so that everyone can once again feel safe enough to go out on the road with the knowledge that they’ll make it home at the end of the day. For more information or to read our other blog posts in the series, visit our website: www.gov.ky/roadsafety and remember: Smart gives room. Reckless takes lives.
