As the weather heats up and people are out more, it is important to take steps that will help to prevent potentially dangerous traffic situations. To help our community remain safe, the Albany Police Department would like to share some safe driving tips. This is part of an ongoing series that encourages safety when traveling by different modes of transportation.

Safe Driving

-Drivers should be extra cautious on the roads. Look carefully for pedestrians and bicyclists. Obey all traffic laws, including speed limits, at all times.

-Pedestrians have the right of way at any crosswalk or intersection, so yield and be prepared to stop.

-Stop at the crosswalk stop line to give drivers in other lanes an opportunity to see and yield to pedestrians too.

-Be cautious when backing up – pedestrians, especially young children, can move across your path.

-When parked on the street, check for other drivers and cyclists before opening doors.

-Always fasten your seat belt and make sure all your passengers are using seat belts or child restraints.

-Avoid distracted driving, which is anything that takes your eyes or mind off the road, or hands off the steering wheel, such as texting or using your phone. Other serious driver distractions such as eating, grooming, reading, reaching for objects on the floor, changing clothes or talking with passengers are just as dangerous.

-Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs:

-It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. However, even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. In 2020, there were 2,041 people killed in alcohol-related crashes in the United States where a driver had a BAC of .01 to .07 g/dL.

-In 2019, 50% of all drivers killed in motor vehicle crashes in California, who were tested, tested positive for legal and/or illegal drugs.

If you have additional questions, please feel welcome to contact the Albany Police Department at 1(510) 525-7300 and request to speak with an officer or email [email protected].