What is the best practice when navigating through intersections?

The best practice when navigating through intersections is to slow down and assess traffic. This approach allows you to carefully evaluate the situation before entering the intersection, which is essential for safety. By reducing speed, you create more reaction time to respond to potential hazards such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Assessing traffic helps you determine if it is safe to proceed based on the movements and positions of other road users. This vigilance can prevent accidents and enhance overall safety while riding.

In contrast, accelerating quickly through an intersection can increase the risk of collisions with vehicles that are already traveling through the intersection, have a right of way, or are making sudden movements. Focusing on traffic lights alone neglects critical aspects of intersection safety, such as the presence of vehicles running red lights or pedestrians crossing illegally. Merging with other vehicles may not be advisable without first assessing the traffic flow, leading to potential conflicts. It's crucial to adopt a cautious and observant approach when navigating intersections to ensure a safer riding experience.