Ten tips for staying visable at night when you are on the move
- By David Heatley
- Published 29-Jan-09
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Found this article written by Vedante about keeping visible at night. I have republished it hare as I though it would be on interest.
When it comes to traffic safety, knowledge can save lives and prevent the pain and injury caused by accidents. The majority of motorist/pedestrian/cyclist accidents occur in the evening hours between 6 p.m. and 12 a.m., with a greater incidence on weekends. Vedante shares ten key tips on how to stay aware, visible, and safe on the road when the sun goes down.
1. First and Foremost, Be Aware of Visibility Issues
Understand
that there are others on the road that may not be visible to you - and
conversely, that others may not be able to see you. Take steps to
become more visible at night, and encourage others to do the same.
2. Use Reflective Gear or Lights to Be Seen
If walking or biking at night, wear white or light colors, use
appropriate lighting on your bike, and always wear highly-reflective
gear which provides 360° visibility, including products made from 3M
Scotchlite and Reflexite (with visibility up to 1,500 feet). Use
caution with reflective products that do not state their reflective
distance.
3. Walk and Bike in Well-Lit Areas
Learn which roads and paths are adequately lit for safe nighttime walking and cycling, and plan your route accordingly.
4. Use Extra Caution in Crosswalks
Motorists often have
difficulty seeing someone in a crosswalk at night. Motorists should not
presume the crosswalk is empty, cyclists should dismount and cross by
foot and pedestrians should not presume the driver can see them in the
crosswalk with-in a safe stopping distance, especially if dressed in
dark colors. Accidents are most frequent during vehicle right turns.
5. Share the Road, and Know Your Place on It
Roads, sidewalks, and bike paths exist for a good reason - be sure you
are where you belong. A pedestrian or cyclist who darts into the street
without regard to safety laws can cause a serious accident.
6. Be Wary of Common Distractions
Shuffling through songs on an
iPod, texting a friend, and even talking on a cell phone can diminish
your capacity to react to threatening traffic situations. Save the
high-tech for full stops.
7. Know and Follow Traffic Laws
Whether traveling by car, by
bike, or on foot, know the rules of the road - particularly
right-of-way laws. Cyclists should use appropriate signals and lanes,
and pedestrians should only cross at official crosswalks.
8. Visually Scan the Road for Vehicles and Pedestrians
Keep
alert at night by visually scanning your surroundings. Pedestrians
should stop at the curb to view the road, and cyclists should look over
their shoulder to see if the road is clear when turning. It's important
for motorists to check their blind spot when backing up or changing
lanes.
9. Use Available Safety Gear
Take advantage of all of the safety gear available to you. Seatbelts,
good breaks, and working windshield wipers are crucial for motorists.
(It's hard to see someone at night through a smear.) If on a bike or
motorcycle, wear a helmet. Doing so is 88% effective in preventing
serious brain injury.
10. Take Part in Safety Legislation
Safety laws save lives. Countries that have more stringent rules
typically have fewer accidents. Contact your legislators to encourage
real change in your community.
When accidents occur, both the person behind the wheel and the person hit are changed forever. Friends and family members also share the pain. Most of this suffering is preventable, and the first step is awareness. Once you become aware of safety issues, you will start to see how you can be part of the solution.
The next step is to speak up about it - to your friends, family, and lawmakers who can make positive changes in your community and beyond.
Be safe. Be seen.
Barbara Kantor, CEO of Vedante®, was inspired to create reflective gear during an evening walk when she witnessed a pedestrian being struck by a car. The pedestrian, in a crosswalk, was unaware that the driver couldn't see her. Barbara began to realize that she and others weren't safe walking or biking in the evening. She developed POP BANDS® and super-reflective pet products to keep people and pets safe at night. Vedante® products reflective up to 1500 feet and can provide 360° visibility. Cristina Willard, CMO of Vedante®, focuses on the company's philanthropic outreach program.
About Vedante Corp
Vedante® is a company committed to saving lives by increasing nighttime
visibility and decreasing accidents through education, awareness
campaigns, and "fashion that reflects well on you™."
For more information please go to this website: www.vedante.com.





















