• Scan the street for wheels and feet: Be especially careful to look for people walking and biking before turning at intersections and driveways.
• Yield to pedestrians: Pay attention to the pedestrian signal and give people walking the right-of-way.
• Double threat: Never pass another vehicle that has stopped or is slowing down for a pedestrian. Remember, you might not be able to see the pedestrian when you approach a stopped vehicle so be aware.
• Watch for bikes: People riding bicycles have the right to be on the road (and are often prohibited from riding on sidewalks), so respect their right to be there.
• Passing safely: Michigan law requires a minimum 3-foot safe passing distance when passing a bicyclist. If this is impracticable, a safe distance and speed is required. Some local ordinances require a greater distance. You may pass a bicycle in a no-passing zone as long as it is safe to do so. This may require motorists to use another lane or wait for a safe opportunity to pass. Don’t return to your original lane until well clear of the cyclist or other vulnerable roadway user. Don’t pass a person on a bike and then immediately turn right.
• Avoid the “right hook”: Look for and yield to people biking on the right when turning right.
• Avoid the “left cross”: Look for and yield to people walking across the street and yield to oncoming bicyclists when turning left.
• Visibility: Look for bicyclists at night and watch for their reflectors or lights.
• Check blind spots: Watch for bicyclists coming from behind, especially before turning right.
• Doors are dangerous: Before opening your car door, look in your side mirror and physically turn your body to make sure no bicyclists are coming (e.g. Dutch Reach).
• Equestrians: When approaching a horse and rider or a horse-drawn buggy, reduce your speed to 15–20 mph and maintain a safe distance of at least 20 feet between your vehicle and the rider or buggy so as not to spook the horse. Pass with caution when safe to do so. Never honk the horn or rev the engine, as loud noises can startle horses.

Lowering speeds can save lives

Source: Impact Speed and a Pedestrian’s Risk of Severe Injury or Death. Brian Tefft, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 2011