SEE and BE SEEN
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In the April 2011 edition of AutoFocus, we reminded readers of the precautionary measures that we all need to take into consideration when driving in adverse weather conditions such as heavy rains, fog and mist as well as in other limited light conditions like dusk and dawn. Highlighted in that article was the concept of visibility. It is this concept that we now want to focus on.
Visibility is a vital concept that applies to all road users, from pedestrians and cyclists to cars, carts, mopeds, motorcycles and any other form of vehicle man has ever manufactured for use on the road. Equally important is visibility of the road itself (eg painted lines and pedestrian crossings) as well as “road furniture”, which can include anything from streetpoles, warning signs and speed limit markers to billboards and barriers .
Whatever type of road user you are - car, bus or truck driver, pedestrian, cyclist or even oxcart driver - it is your responsibility to ensure that you can see and be seen clearly at night and in other low light conditions.
Cycling or walking at night or at dawn or dusk wearing dark clothing, for example, can be a fatal mistake which puts you at risk of being hit by oncoming traffic because drivers simply cannot see you in the dark.
Below are some precautionary measures that road users should take to reduce the risk of being hit by traffic when walking at night.
Visibility is a vital concept that applies to all road users, from pedestrians and cyclists to cars, carts, mopeds, motorcycles and any other form of vehicle man has ever manufactured for use on the road. Equally important is visibility of the road itself (eg painted lines and pedestrian crossings) as well as “road furniture”, which can include anything from streetpoles, warning signs and speed limit markers to billboards and barriers .
Whatever type of road user you are - car, bus or truck driver, pedestrian, cyclist or even oxcart driver - it is your responsibility to ensure that you can see and be seen clearly at night and in other low light conditions.
Cycling or walking at night or at dawn or dusk wearing dark clothing, for example, can be a fatal mistake which puts you at risk of being hit by oncoming traffic because drivers simply cannot see you in the dark.
Below are some precautionary measures that road users should take to reduce the risk of being hit by traffic when walking at night.
The Pedestrian
The chances of being struck and killed or seriously injured as a pedestrian increase by 1100% after dark!
Poor visibility of pedestrians is a major contributory cause of higher nighttime accident rates so take the following precautions to avoid becoming an accident statistic yourself.
Walk against the traffic. Obey the rules and regulations of the road and walk (usually on the right side of the road) towards oncoming traffic. That way, you can see what is coming and can’t be hit from behind.
Dress to be seen. If you’re going to be walking during the hours of darkness, at the very least, always remember to wear light-coloured clothing to make yourself more easily visible to drivers. Best of all, wear something reflective because even just a thumb-sized reflector can be seen at much greater distances than a person dressed completely in white. Reflective gear will make you much more visible to oncoming traffic.
Reflectors (sometimes called “retro-reflectors") are products that actually reflect light from a source such as headlights or a flashlight. Reflective materials and products come in many shapes and forms and are made from a wide variety of materials - from hard plastic and metal to soft vinyl and fabric.
Cars, trucks, motorcycles and most bicycles are fitted with red reflectors so motorists can see them easily from behind. Police and road workers usually wear bright yellow “high viz” jackets incorporating strips of reflective material which shine out when “picked up” by a car's headlights even at long distances. Many sports shoes, jackets and tracksuit pants manufactured these days often incorporate a reflective stripe or panel. For pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users, there are prismatic reflectors and glass bead reflectors, both of which reflect light sufficiently to make the wearer visible in the dark up to 200 metres away from the light source, or more.
As you can see, visibility is of paramount importance.
Poor visibility of pedestrians is a major contributory cause of higher nighttime accident rates so take the following precautions to avoid becoming an accident statistic yourself.
Walk against the traffic. Obey the rules and regulations of the road and walk (usually on the right side of the road) towards oncoming traffic. That way, you can see what is coming and can’t be hit from behind.
Dress to be seen. If you’re going to be walking during the hours of darkness, at the very least, always remember to wear light-coloured clothing to make yourself more easily visible to drivers. Best of all, wear something reflective because even just a thumb-sized reflector can be seen at much greater distances than a person dressed completely in white. Reflective gear will make you much more visible to oncoming traffic.
Reflectors (sometimes called “retro-reflectors") are products that actually reflect light from a source such as headlights or a flashlight. Reflective materials and products come in many shapes and forms and are made from a wide variety of materials - from hard plastic and metal to soft vinyl and fabric.
Cars, trucks, motorcycles and most bicycles are fitted with red reflectors so motorists can see them easily from behind. Police and road workers usually wear bright yellow “high viz” jackets incorporating strips of reflective material which shine out when “picked up” by a car's headlights even at long distances. Many sports shoes, jackets and tracksuit pants manufactured these days often incorporate a reflective stripe or panel. For pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users, there are prismatic reflectors and glass bead reflectors, both of which reflect light sufficiently to make the wearer visible in the dark up to 200 metres away from the light source, or more.
As you can see, visibility is of paramount importance.
The Night Rider
Cyclists and motor bikers are another category of road users who are particularly vulnerable on our roads at dawn, dusk and at night. Making it easy for motor vehicle drivers to recognise you as a cyclist from as far away as possible is the key to nighttime cycling safety.
When riding your bike at night or in other low light conditions, always make sure to use lights and reflectors to make you visible to other traffic. Your white front light helps other road users to see you and also helps you to spot and avoid hazards that could cause you to crash. Even on well-lit city streets, your lights and reflectors help you to stand out from the background and identify you as a cyclist to other road users. Start with a bright white front light and a large red rear reflector. Add lights and reflectors that move. Pedal and wheel reflectors, reflective leg bands or leg lights and flashing rear lights are particularly eye-catching because they combine visibility with motion. Wear reflective clothing. A reflective vest can be worn over any clothing and helps outline your body, making you more visible to other road users. Apply reflective tape to your helmet and bicycle. Remember, reflectors alone won't help if the driver behind you doesn't have his lights on so use a red rear light. Flashing rear lights are especially effective! |
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See The Road Ahead
The requirement of a front light for a bicycle is that it should be visible to others 150 metres in front of you.
As a cyclist, you need to be able to see the road far enough ahead so you can stop in time to avoid a hazard. It takes about 11 metres to stop a bicycle travelling at 25 kph on a clean, dry, flat road. Under the best conditions, your front light should allow you to see the road at least 11-15 metres ahead. Additional lighting is needed under adverse road or weather conditions.
When bicycling at night:
As a cyclist, you need to be able to see the road far enough ahead so you can stop in time to avoid a hazard. It takes about 11 metres to stop a bicycle travelling at 25 kph on a clean, dry, flat road. Under the best conditions, your front light should allow you to see the road at least 11-15 metres ahead. Additional lighting is needed under adverse road or weather conditions.
When bicycling at night:
- Be seen, not hurt.
- Use lights and reflectors at night to make yourself visible to others.
- Fit a headlight that allows you to see the road ahead clearly.
- Be careful not to override your front light.
- Slow down at night to be able to avoid hazards in time.
- Keep all lights and reflectors clean and properly angled.
- Remember, see and be seen at all times.
