Several fatal accidents that involve vehicles colliding with pedestrians and bikers in South Dakota are prompting law enforcement to remind drivers to be extra careful.
South Dakota Highway Patrol Lieutenant Paul Gerken says drivers should stay aware of their surroundings and double-check before making turns or lane changes.
“Be aware of your blind spots. When you go to make a lane change, look in your mirrors and also turn and look over your shoulder to cover those blind spots. It seems that a lot of the crashes that we investigate, that we go to, that involve vehicles versus a pedestrian or a motorcycle, a lot of the times a contributing factor to it can be the blind spots,” says Gerken.
Lieutenant Gerken says motorcyclists can also protect themselves from being involved in a crash by not following other vehicles too closely, keeping an eye on other motorist’s brake lights and tails lights, and keeping in mind that they may be driving in someone else’s blind spot.
