Many road users are unaware that car headlights do not always adequately illuminate a pedestrian’s silhouette, especially when the pedestrian is wearing dark clothing.
An important aspect of pedestrian safety, especially in autumn and winter, is therefore the use of reflective elements. They significantly increase a pedestrian’s visibility, giving the driver more time to perform an evasive maneuver or brake when they notice a person on the road.
Police:
We appeal to drivers to bear in mind, while observing the road, that pedestrians are also using it and may be poorly visible due to the early onset of darkness and weather conditions.
Drivers should remember, especially in the vicinity of pedestrian crossings, that a pedestrian may appear nearby at any time.
Last weekend in Nowogrodziec, a passenger-car driver hit a female pedestrian who was correctly crossing the roadway. The injured woman, with a broken leg, was taken to hospital. The driver responsible for the collision had their driving licence confiscated.
Officers:
We remind you that a vehicle driver approaching a pedestrian crossing is obliged to exercise particular caution and give way to a pedestrian on the crossing. Moreover, when turning onto a side road, the driver is obliged to give way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway of the road they are entering at the intersection.
However, every pedestrian should be aware that using a designated crossing does not authorize them to enter the roadway without first ensuring that doing so will not endanger traffic safety.
What is the probability of1 a pedestrian losing their life?
At a vehicle impact speed of:
- 30 km/h – a pedestrian has more than a 90% chance of surviving the accident
- 50 km/h – a pedestrian has a 40–60% chance of surviving
- 70 km/h – a pedestrian has almost no chance of surviving the accident.
1 National Road Safety Council