applying your smart driving skills Be especially careful near children on bicycles. Children are  used to adults watching out for them, so they tend to be  unaware of danger. They also have poor peripheral vision, and  often find it hard to judge the speed and distance of oncoming  vehicles. They may not know the traffic rules or how much room  it takes vehicles to stop.  Shoulder check  — shoulder checking is important because  bicycles and riders are narrow and can easily be hidden in your  blind spot. Make sure you shoulder check before you:  Pay attention at night  — observe carefully, especially for  bicycles coming in from side streets. Some cyclists may not  have lights, reflectors or reflective gear.  Be careful when passing  — before you pass another vehicle,  make sure you check for oncoming cyclists and cyclists in front  of the vehicle you are passing.  Scan at intersections  — be especially careful to:  Know the rules  — cyclists follow the same rules and regulations  as drivers.  see  think  86 • Yield to cyclists as you would to any other vehicle. If you have the right‑of‑way at an intersection, proceed if it is safe. A cyclist will expect you to follow the rules of the road.  • Be aware that cyclists don’t always stay on the right. To make  a left turn, for instance, they need to move over to the left  lane. If the lane is narrow, or if there is glass or a pothole  • Be aware that a cyclist riding along the through road could be  approaching faster than you think. • Check carefully for cyclists crossing the road when coming to  a place where a bicycle trail meets with a road.  • Check carefully for oncoming cyclists before making a left turn.  • Watch out for a cyclist ahead waiting to turn left if you’re  driving straight through.  • Shoulder check for bicycles before turning right.  • open your door to get out of your vehicle. Check your side  mirror as well. One of the most common causes of crashes  involving cyclists is drivers who swing their doors open  without checking.  • pull away from the curb  • move to the right. 