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It is that time of year again when the nights are becoming darker earlier. On Sunday 29th October, British Summertime ends and the clocks go back an hour, meaning many of us will be travelling home from school or work in the dark. However you travel there are things you can do to make yourself visible to other road users.
Pedestrians are recommended to wear hi-visibility clothing and accessories. Fluorescent colours are great for dull, rainy days, however, they do not show up when it is dark - reflective materials are needed for this. Reflective materials work at night by bouncing back the light from a source such as car headlights. Even a small reflective key ring hanging from a bag or a reflective stripe on a coat can make a big difference in how soon a driver notices a pedestrian.
Children often have dark coloured uniforms and coats which make them invisible to drivers. There are many ways you can make yourself and your child visible - choose a bright coloured bag or rucksack and a coat with hi-visibility strips. Fluorescent and reflective arm bands can be worn over clothes and stickers can be used on bags. Keep to the footpath where you can and if there is no footpath remember to walk on the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic.
Fluorescent colours for daytime and reflective for night.
Cyclists are also reminded to wear bright and reflective clothing and to check bike lights are working. Street lights are not enough alone for drivers to see you. At night, your bike MUST have working white lights at the front, red lights at the back and be fitted with a red rear reflector. White front reflectors can also help you to be seen and spoke reflectors will help other road users see you from the side.
Drivers are also reminded to check all lights on their vehicle are working and asked to be extra attentive at this time of year and look out for people walking, cycling or riding a motorbike.
Can you spot the child in the picture below? The child is stood in the same place on both pictures but is wearing a different coloured coat.
Check out the Hedgehogs advert from 2001 about 'Stayin' Alive at night time.
Hedgehogs Stayin' Alive
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