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Safety Tips for Bicyclists and Drivers

Safety Tips for Bicyclists and Drivers
Image by Sura Nualpradid; freedigitalphotos.net

Bring up the topic of drivers to 10 bicyclists in Orange County and chances are, the majority of them will complain about the drivers. Bring up the topic of bicyclists to 10 drivers in Orange County and chances are, the majority of them will complain about the bicyclists.

For whatever reason, the relationship between drivers and bicyclists in many parts of Orange County is less than copacetic – and sometimes even a little hostile.

Tragically, two weeks ago a 30-year-old Fountain Valley bicyclist named Shaun Eagleson was killed by a drunk driver. The drunk driver was 23-year-old Huntington Beach resident Neil Stephany.

Stephany was driving drunk at around 5 pm in Newport Beach when he hit Eagleson who was riding on his bicycle. Stephany did not stop at the scene, but instead sped off. Eagleson died at the hospital and Stephany was arrested a few hours after the incident. He has been charged with murder and felony hit-and-run. You can read more about it here.

Fact: California law allows a person to be charged with murder if they kill someone while driving drunk after their first DUI conviction. Stephany pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge in 2011 and has several prior drug charges.

Before we get into the purpose of this article, safety tips for bicyclists and drivers, let us recap the events of the accident to point out that the sad statistics about young drivers still ring true:

  • Driver was 23 years old (teens and young adults are by far the most dangerous demographic behind the wheel)
  • Driver was male (males tend to be worse than females, probably because they are bigger risk-takers)
  • Drunk driving (we probably don’t need to say anything more about the dangers of drunk driving)

As you can see, we still have a lot of work to do to combat these statistics and create safe drivers in Orange County. At Safety 1st Driving School, we are doing everything we can to offer the most effective and comprehensive driving lessons to teenagers, but we need your help as well. Parents and adults need to model good behavior behind the wheel – that means driving safely and cautiously, obeying traffic laws, avoiding distractions while driving (that means no texting!), and being a patient and courteous driver.

Teenagers will always be teenagers. Developmentally, they are not like adults and are notorious for making poor decisions and thinking they are invincible. So we have to work with what we’ve got, and so we urge parents to be very involved in your teen’s driving experience; give them rules, boundaries, and consequences; and communicate with them about driving safety, maneuvers, and issues that arise.

Safety Tips for Bicyclists and Drivers

Click here to read these great tips for cyclists to stay safe on the roads, courtesy of Yield to Life.

Also check out this article by BicycleSafe.org, “How to Not Get Hit by Cars”, which highlights a number of common scenarios and how cyclists can respond to them.

As far as drivers go, you need to do your part to keep cyclists safe as well. Here are some tips for you:

  • Check side and rear view mirrors frequently.
  • If parked along a curb, check your side and rear view mirrors and look over your shoulder before opening your door to avoid hitting a passing cyclist.
  • Obey posted speed limits.
  • Be extra careful driving at night.
  • Avoid distractions. Cyclists can quickly come out of nowhere.
  • Be respectful of cyclists, even if you feel they are hogging the road. Give them adequate space and even change lanes if possible. You may not want to give up your space out of principle, but it’s not worth it if it could endanger a cyclist’s life.
  • Don’t like cyclists? Get over it. We have to share the roads, and your disdain is not productive. Set a good example for your kids and other drivers around you by being patient and courteous.

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Step 1. Complete our online driver’s education course

Register for our online driver education course. After you complete the required chapters and tests, we will then send you the DMV Certificate of Completion (DL387) that you can take to the DMV when you are ready to take the written test for your learner’s permit.

Our online driver ed course is available to all California residents. You can take our course at your own pace, in your own home in your own time.

Step 2. Study for the DMV written test

You will need to study for the DMV written permit test by reading through the DMV California Driver Handbook. It will benefit you if you take your time and study the handbook so you are comfortable with the information that will be on the test.

Take your time, you don’t want to have to go back to retake the test.

Step 3. Make an appointment at the DMV to take the written exam

It is important that you call ahead of time and schedule an appointment at the local DMV so you can go in and take the written test.

The lines at the DMV are usually very long so you don’t want to waste your time waiting in line. Make sure that you are well prepared for your appointment.

Most DMV’s are open Mondays through Fridays until 5 pm; Some are also open on Saturdays for a few hours so call ahead of time and see which date and times are best for you.

Step 4. Bring necessary documents to the DMV office

  • Complete the application form DL 44, remember the DMV always requires An original to be submitted. Copies will not be accepted in any form, so make sure you have exactly what you need. You can get this form from your local DMV.
  • Have your parents or guardians sign the application form DL 44.
  • Give your right thumbprint.
  • Have your picture taken.
  • Provide your social security #
  • Verify your birth date and legal residence
  • Submit the proper form(s) for Driver Education and/or Driver Training (see below for details)
  • Pay the $28.00 application fee (This fee entitles you to three exams of any type within the 12-month period and pays for both the instruction permit and the driver license. If all requirements are not met within the 12-month period, the application becomes void and all steps must be completed again.)
  • Pass a vision exam, if you need glasses, wear them.
  • Pass a written test, there are 46 questions on the test.
  • You need a passing score of at least 39 correct answers.
  • You have three chances to pass the test. If you fail, you must wait 7 days before taking it again.

 

Driver Education and Driver Training Form Requirements:

If you are 15  years of age, you will need to bring with you:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education) with form DL 391 (Driver Training Enrollment ) if your school has a contract with a driving school.

OR

  • Form DL 356 or forms OL 237 and OL 238 (Completion of both Driver Education and Driver Training)

OR

  • Submit form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 15 but under 18 years of age, you will need to submit:

  • Form DL 356 or OL 237 (Completion of Driver Education)

OR

  • Form DL 391 or OL 239 (Simultaneous Enrollment in Driver Education and Driver Training)

 

If you are over 17  but under 18 years of age, you may get your permit without the driver education and driver training certificates however, you will not be able to take the driving test until you turn 18.

Once you pass your written test, you will be issued a provisional permit. You can be issued a permit at age 15, but you cannot take the driving test or be issued a driver’s license until you are 16 years of age.

A parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years of age or older, who has a valid California driver’s license, must be with you when you drive. They must sit in a position that allows them to take control of the vehicle, if necessary. It is illegal for you to drive alone at any time.

Before being eligible to take the driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed driver education
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver’s license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.

 

If driver education and driver training were taken in a state other than California, DMV will accept either a Secondary Schools Other Than California Schools form DL 33 completed by the out-of-state school or a letter on the out-of-state school’s stationery signed by a school official stating that the courses are equivalent to California’s requirements. Instructional permits issued by another state are not acceptable

Step 5. Complete behind the wheel training

When you pass the written exam:

  • You are required to take your first 2 hours of behind the wheel training with a professional driving instructor.
  •  You may start behind the wheel training with your parent/guardian or other licensed drivers who are 25 years of age or older.
  •  You must further complete four (4) more hours of driving school instruction.
  • Complete fifty (50) additional hours of behind the wheel training with a parent/guardian or any other adult who is 25 years old or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify that you’ve had the 50 hours of practice. It is required that 10 of the 50 hours of training is done in the evening.

Step 6. Take the driving test at the DMV

To be eligible to take your driving test you must:

  • Be 16 years old
  • Have had your permit for a minimum of six months
  • Have completed a driver education course
  • Have completed 6 hours of professional driver training
  • Have completed 50 hours of practice with an adult who is 25 years or older. The adult must have a valid California driver license and certify to the 50 hours of practice. At least 10 of the 50 hours must have been done at night.
  • You will also need to show registration and proof of insurance for the vehicle you will be taking your drive test in.
  •  If you fail your drive test, you must wait two weeks before you can take the test again. You have three chances to pass.
    • Driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee is $6.00.
    • Motorcycle driving (behind-the-wheel) retest fee $6.00.

 

After you pass your drive test you will be issued an interim license valid for 60 days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double-check your address before you leave DMV and tell the DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect.

If you have not received your license after 60 days, call (916) 657-7790 and they can check on the status for you. Have your interim license with you to provide information when requested.

Step 7. Receive provisional license upon passing the driving test

After you pass the Driving Test, you will be issued a provisional license. Your license will have the following restrictions for the next year: During the first 12 months, you are licensed to drive you must be accompanied by a driver 25 years of age or older if you drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or if you have passengers under the age of 20 in the car at any time.

Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you become 18, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.