Be safe - be seen

As the days shorten and nights draw in road safety experts at Herefordshire Council have issued a warning to all road users – especially cyclists and children.

As part of ‘Be Safe Be Seen’ campaign, Herefordshire Council has issued a list of tips to prevent accidents and save lives on the County’s roads.

Last year from October to December, 539 child pedestrians were killed or seriously injured in Great Britain.

The peak time for accidents is between 3pm and 6pm - when children are returning home from school.

Top tips include:   

· When it is dark wear light and bright coloured clothing; better still something reflective. Reflective material shows up well because the headlights make it stand out.
· Put reflective strips on your bags or clothing.
· During the day if the weather dull or misty wear something fluorescent.
· Cyclists by law must have a working white light on the front, a red back light and a red reflector at the back of their cycle. Also check that all your lights and reflectors are clean.

Ann Mann, Road Safety Officer for Herefordshire Council, said: “We know the number of children killed or seriously injured on the roads are reducing each year and we want to continue to see these casualty figures going down.

“As Road Safety Officers, it is part of our role to remind children and their parents that it is important to be bright and to be seen when they are outside during the winter months.

"In addition there are more vehicles, especially HGVs, travelling along roads with the front and rear fog lights on when the weather conditions are good and this is not necessary.

“In fact they could well be breaking the law because these lights should only be used when visibility is seriously reduced," added Ann Mann.