Koon's watch

Whether it’s for leisure, commuting or exercise, people ride bicycles daily across Lexington County.

Like other drivers, bicyclists have a responsibility to stay alert while traveling.

As a cyclist, always ride distraction-free and pay attention to your surroundings.

And as a driver, look for cyclists everywhere.

Bicyclists should not use headphones and should keep their eyes – and ears – open for hazards, like vehicles or trains.

All bicyclists should wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet every ride. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent a head injury in a bicycle crash.

Cyclists can be hard to see, and that’s especially true if you’re distracted and your focus isn’t totally on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than half of pedestrian fatalities occurred at non-intersections.

Drivers should always keep customary safety habits in mind, like obeying the posted speed limit and driving sober.

As a community working together, we can strive to reduce the number of these tragedies each year. Keeping Lexington County’s roads safe is a shared responsibility.