Travelling when it's dark
Road users face greater risk
Last weekend marked the end of British Summer Time
for another year. The clocks went back one hour and its getting
dark earlier. We will all be spending more time walking, cycling
and driving in darkness, which is far more dangerous than walking,
cycling or driving in daylight.
Walking at night.
As the clocks go back
and the nights draw in, everyone is more vulnerable as you are less
visible to motorists. We need to wear something bright and take
extra care when out and about near roads.
The key messages are:
Make sure you can be easily seen at all times, but especially at
night, on dark days and in bad weather.
Bright or fluorescent clothes show up best by day, especially in
dull or misty weather.
By night, reflective material is best and shows up in car
headlights – fluorescent clothing doesn't work after dark.
Reflective tape can be put on clothing, school bags and
equipment.
Cross the road at the safest place possible for example, zebra,
pelican, puffin and patrolled crossings.
Use the Green Cross Code: Stop, Look, Listen, Live.
If you are out at night, choose routes that are well-lit by
streetlights and cross at well-lit places.
Cycling at night.
The advice given to
pedestrians about being seen applies equally to cyclists. In
addition, bikes need to be equipped with good lights. It is an
offence to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back
light and a red reflector at the back.
Driving at night.
Ninety percent of a
driver's reaction depends on vision, and vision is severely limited
at night.
The key messages are:
Make sure all lights are clean, working and adjusted
properly.
Make sure the windscreen is clean inside and out.
Use headlights whenever visibility is reduced – for example, early
morning, at dusk, when it's raining or in any gloomy conditions.
It'll help others to see you.
Increase your following distance so you don't blind the driver
ahead of you.
Don't dazzle others with your main beam.
Reduce your speed. You should be able to stop within the distance
you can see.
If your vehicle breaks down, pull off the road as far as possible
and switch on the hazard warning lights.
Older drivers face greater difficulties. A 50 year old driver may
need twice as much light to be able to see as well as a 30 year
old.
Please also visit our advice and
support pages, for more information when you are out and
about.