April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, but the merits of focusing on the road shouldn’t be relegated just to motorists. Our New York bicycle accident lawyer is familiar with the devastating consequences that can result from a brief moment of lost concentration.

In the spirit of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, here are a few simple tips to help you reduce distractions while bicycling.

• Use caution with cell phones. Mobile devices have moved front and center in today’s culture. While phones provide a number of wonderful benefits, answering or handling the phone can be a dangerous practice when maneuvering in traffic. A prevent danger for many bicyclists involve a phone’s GPS capabilities. If you need to check your map, pull over and get your bearings.
• Refrain from reaching for dropped objects. If you’ve been riding for a while, you’ve probably experienced a dropped object from your jittering, rattling bike.  Water bottles wiggle from their cages, papers fly from saddlebags, and things may pop out of moving pockets. Although your first instinct may be to stop and retrieve these fallen objects, pull to somewhere safe first and assess the situation. Sudden stops in the road, for whatever reason, can be dangerous and even fatal.
• Be aware of your route. Many auto accidents result from a rider trying to suddenly correct a missed turn and colliding with an object or other vehicle. If you’ve gone off course, keep moving until you reach a safe place to reverse course.
• Avoid ear buds and headphones. Despite the pleasure of listening to music while riding, headphone use can reduce your awareness of your surroundings.

If you live in New York and have been injured in a bicycle accident due to another driver’s recklessness, contact Weiser and Associates today at (212) 213-3111 to discuss your case.