Young people are often hurt on the road because they can not be seen clearly by other traffic.
As we approach the shortest day of the year it is a time when we are reminded of the need to be seen when we are out walking and cycling. The short daylight hours mean that often people are travelling in poor light conditions, with heavy rain or mist or snow and are more vulnerable to vehicular traffic accidents.
The twilight hours – just before and just after the sun sets – are the most dangerous times of all, because drivers’ eyes are adjusting to the changing light.
Children are advised to stand out against the gloom by wearing bright or fluorescent clothes that show up best during the day, particularly in dull or misty weather.
However, fluorescent clothing does not work at night – reflective material works best and shows up in cars’ headlights.
Other travelling advice includes
- Keep to well-lit routes and crossing roads at safe places, like zebra or pelican crossings
- If there is no pavement available pedestrians should walk facing the on-coming traffic
- Cyclists can help themselves to be seen by wearing fluorescent or reflective clothes.
- Bikes must legally have a white light at the front, a red light at the back and a red reflector at the back, during the hours of darkness.
- Flashing lights on bikes are now legal and do alert drivers to cyclists more easily.
- Lights should be checked regularly to make sure they are in good working order and that the batteries are well charged.
See you Go safely! Be Safe Be Seen!
Useful websites for purchasing high visibility clothing are: www.brightkidz.co.uk & www.chesterford.co.uk
We have received notification that members of Unison, GMB and T & G Unite will undertake industrial action against the proposed Local Government pay offer. This action is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 24th Sept 2008.
