Road Safety
Be Safe Be Seen
The Department of Transport and the Police launch the 2005 Be Safe Be Seen campaign. With the end of October see the clocks go back, and as winter approaches, the onset of dark mornings and evenings.
This campaign aims to highlight the importance of being visible as a road user throughout the winter months to increase your safety. This includes pedestrians, cyclists and all other vehicles.
Motorists should check their lights to ensure that they are clean and working. Lights that are not adjusted properly can dazzle other road users, and in turn this may cause an accident. Fog lights must only be used when visibility is seriously reduced.
Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable road users. You need to make sure you can be seen clearly in dark conditions and bad weather. Try to make sure you and your children wear fluorescent clothing for the daytime and reflective clothing at night for maximum visibility. When using a bike make sure that it has lights fitted to the front and rear so other traffic can see you.
Vehicle drivers should take the time to check the lights on their vehicles to ensure that they are all working, aligned correctly and in good condition.
Be Safe Be Seen – Top Tips for Kids
- Make sure you can be easily seen, especially at night, on dark days and in bad weather.
- Bright or fluorescent clothes show up best by day, even in dull or misty weather.
- In the dark, reflective material is best and shows up in car headlights – remember fluorescent clothing doesn’t work after dark. You can put reflective tape on your coat or school bag to help you to be seen by drivers.
- It is against the law to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back, so make sure that your bike is properly equipped and working. And remember always wear a helmet.
- Cross the road at the safest place possible e.g. zebra, pelican, puffin crossings and lollipop people. Remember to use the Green Cross Code – Stop, Look, Listen and Think.
- If you’re out at night, choose routes that are well-lit by street lights and cross the road at well-lit places.
- If there is no pavement and you have to walk on the road, always face the oncoming traffic – this is particularly important in poor light or in the dark.
- Visit www.hedgehogs.gov.uk for more information.
Pedestrians
During the dark months pedestrians should wear bright or reflective clothing. Reflective material shows up in the car headlights enabling them to be seen. Fluorescent material shows up best by day especially in dull weather but doesn't work after dark.
Parents wanting to make sure their children are safer on the roads should make sure they can be seen especially at night and on dark bad weather days by wearing something bright and reflective.
Cyclists
Cyclists should make themselves visible to other vehicles on the road by wearing fluorescent and reflective clothing. Ensure the lights are working before every journey. It is an offence to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and red reflector at the back.
Vehicle Lights
At night, your vehicle lights are your most important source of information for both you and other road users. Check that all lights work efficiently. Fix any lighting faults immediately for your own safety and the safety of others.
The operation of fog lights is an important issue, they should only be used in appropriate circumstances such as reduced visibility. It is just as important to switch the fog lights off during normal driving conditions as they dazzle other road users. This is also an offence.
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