When you’re driving and come upon bicyclists or pedestrians on the road, one of the most important things you can do is give them plenty of space. Quite simply, the extra room can save lives.

Last year, 81 people died walking or cycling on Virginia roadways, and 730 cyclists and 1,712 pedestrians were injured. In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of sharing the road to reduce crashes and injuries in the commonwealth, Governor Bob McDonnell has declared September 9–15 as Bicyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Week.

It’s recommended drivers give cyclists and pedestrians at least 3 feet of space when passing. Don’t forget about mirrors, trailers, and other items that may stick out from your vehicle and make it wider than you realize. Many times drivers accidentally strike cyclists or pedestrians because they simply don’t take the extra width or items into account. When passing, drivers also need to slow down and wait to pass if there’s oncoming traffic. And don’t honk—it can cause a cyclist to crash, or swerve into the lane of traffic.

Whether you’re a driver, cyclist, runner, or walker, learn more about how you can safely share the road in the Virginia Farm Bureau’s online Safety Center. We all have a responsibility to help keep Virginia’s roadways safe.