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Target audiences: New and existing drivers, cyclists (recreational and non- <br />recreational), law enforcement <br />Safety benefits: Knowing and following the laws should make all movements safer <br />and more predictable, but making following the laws and courtesy on the road the <br />norm is the most effective tool to achieve the goals of compliance and of mutual <br />respect. The new passing law may also help mitigate some of the conflict currently <br />seen between cyclists and motorists. Lowering frustrations and raising respect <br />between road user groups will lead to less impatience, safer interactions, and a more <br />positive perception of sharing the road. <br /> <br /> <br />II. EMS, Fire Trucks, Law Enforcement <br />Problem: Vehicles, including cyclists, do not always pull over for emergency vehicles. <br />Goal: <br />A. To achieve full compliance with this law <br />Message: The law requires all vehicles, including cyclists, to pull over and stop when <br />an emergency vehicle (EMS, Fire Truck, and Public Safety vehicle) sounding its siren <br />and flashing its lights approaches. When cyclists do not pull over and come to a stop, <br />the emergency vehicles are unable to predict their movements, which hampers their <br />ability to pass. In addition, cyclists need to follow the directions of flagmen who are <br />directing traffic on the road. <br />Target audiences: Cyclists and motorists <br />Safety benefits: Emergency vehicles are traveling at high rates of speed and their <br />ability to arrive at a situation quickly can be a matter of life and death. Improved <br />compliance with this law will ensure that emergency responders arrive where they are <br />needed as quickly as possible. <br /> <br />III. Better Data Collection <br />Problem: No definitive way to collect data on cyclists’ behavior or on <br />amount/percentage of cyclist traffic on the road. No way to observe motorist behavior. <br />This leads to the use of anecdotal or perceptual information instead of data, and also <br />provides no way to judge the effectiveness of a safety campaign. <br /> <br />Goals: <br />A. To be able to measure current behavior and vehicle counts, perhaps with the use <br />of motion cameras as well as with other equipment, prioritizing data collection in <br />known problem areas. <br />B. To be able to measure effectiveness of the Bicycle Safety Task Force (BSTF) <br />campaign, and to be able to demonstrate possible need for road safety <br />improvements. <br />C. To work with other agencies (e.g., law enforcement, EMT) to get more <br />comprehensive and precise information for all incidents involving cyclists, and to <br />have information forwarded in real time to the Orange County Planning <br />Department. <br /> 70