In conditions of insufficient visibility, drivers notice pedestrians later than usual, especially those wearing dark clothing.
The color of outer clothing affects pedestrian safety. On an unlit road, a pedestrian wearing a dark jacket is barely visible to a car driver. Using reflective elements increases a pedestrian’s visibility several times, giving the driver more time to perform an evasive maneuver or brake. Being invisible on the road can end tragically.
What does the law say?
Under the law, every pedestrian traveling after dark on a road outside a built-up area is required to use reflective elements. It should also be remembered that in a confrontation with a vehicle, a pedestrian is always at a disadvantage, since they are not protected by a bumper, the hood of a car or an airbag.
What are the most common causes of pedestrian collisions?
According to police statistics, the most common causes of fatal collisions caused by drivers are failure to adjust speed to the conditions on the road and failure to yield the right of way.
Similarly, when comparing incidents caused by pedestrians, the causes include imprudently stepping in front of an oncoming vehicle, crossing the road in prohibited places, and walking along an unlit road in conditions of reduced visibility without reflective elements.
Why is this so important?
On October 9, in Środa County, a pedestrian walking down the middle of the road after dark was fatally struck by a truck driver. The man was wearing dark clothing. He had no reflective elements that would have made him noticeable earlier.
What is visibility like after dark?
It is worth remembering that after dark, a pedestrian wearing subdued gray and black clothing without reflective elements on their outerwear is visible to a vehicle driver from a distance of approximately 40 meters.
A pedestrian wearing reflective gear, however, becomes visible from a distance of more than 150 meters.
Those additional meters allow the driver to brake and safely pass the pedestrian. This is particularly important in autumn and winter, when darkness falls early and weather conditions deteriorate, making pedestrians on the roads difficult to see. The likelihood of their being struck by an approaching vehicle then increases many times over.
Police:
LET US REMEMBER that being safe often means being visible. Using reflective elements in various forms—including pendants, bands, vests or shopping bags with reflective elements—significantly increases a pedestrian’s chances of avoiding being struck in poor visibility. Properly worn reflective elements should be placed so that they fall within the range of car headlights and are noticeable to drivers approaching from both directions, that is, from the front and the rear.
The officers add:
In view of the above, we remind you that the obligation for all pedestrians traveling after dark outside built-up areas to wear reflective elements came into force as early as 2014, and since then failure to have a reflective element has been punishable by a fine of up to PLN 100.
The fine, however, is not the point; personal safety is. As we all know, reflective elements cost very little. The losses resulting from loss of life or health and medical treatment—not to mention material losses—are incomparably greater and difficult to estimate.
Bolesławiec police officers continually remind preschoolers and students of the need to wear reflective gear, which will make them more visible on the road. We ask parents to equip themselves and their children with reflective elements.