Cyclists and pedestrians are being urged to wear something bright and reflective during the dark winter months.
Now that British Summer Time has ended, Bury Council’s road safety team is asking all road users to take extra care as the nights draw in and the weather gets worse.
The team launched its annual “Be Safe, Be Seen” campaign at Bury’s Vue cinema on October 27, handing out advice and free reflective and fluorescent materials such as cycle spoke reflectors, armbands, stickers, taggos and bags.
Paul Birch, road safety team manager, said: “If road users wear or attach something reflective to their clothes, they can be seen up to three times as far away than if they wear non-reflective materials. This gives drivers a chance to see other road users and more importantly the chance to react to them as well.”
The peak travelling hours between 3.15pm and 7pm pose the greatest risk. Parents should be aware that the dangers are not only to younger children – each year twice as many 12-year-old pedestrians are hurt as nine-year-olds.
Councillor Dorothy Gunther, executive member for environment and transport, said: “Children are more likely to use these resources because they are fun and colourful, but they still carry a very important message about safety on the road.”
“Be Safe, Be Seen” top tips:
• Choose a well-lit route.
• Bright or fluorescent clothes work best during the day, especially in dull or misty weather.
• Reflective material is the best for night time and will show up in car headlights.
• It is against the law to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back, so make sure your bike is fully equipped.
For more details about the road safety unit, visit www.bury.gov.uk/bury/roadsafety
