The darker nights and autumn and winter weather make it harder to see and be seen. Commuting to work and travelling to school are largely done in the dark or with reduced visibility and unfortunately, pedestrian deaths and serious injuries on the roads peak over these months.
Here are something we can do to keep ourselves and others safe too:
Pedestrians
- Wear bright, reflective outer clothing such as coats, hats, gloves and footwear. You can also buy low cost reflective items to wear over the top of your normal clothes, such as vests, sashes, wristbands, bag covers and clip on reflectors.
- Look to walk in well-lit areas and cross the road using dedicated crossing points, as far as possible.
- Keep to footpaths as far as possible. If there isn’t a foot path, then you should keep to the side of the road, walking in the direction of oncoming traffic.
- Ensure you are concentrating on your surroundings and double check it’s safe before crossing or stepping onto any roads. Phones, headphones and other handheld devices can be distracting, particularly when looking to cross the road, we’d recommend putting them away.
Cyclists
- Similarly to pedestrians, wear bright, reflective outer clothing and wear reflective items over the top of your clothes.
- We would always recommend wearing a helmet. Helmets are the single most effective way to reduce head injuries and fatalities resulting from bicycle crashes. Nationally, 70 to 80 percent of all fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries.
- At night your bike must have working white front and red rear lights. It also must be fitted with a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors.
- Keep your bike, and particularly your reflectors and lights clean. Clean surfaces reflect light better.
- Consider getting a mounted camera to record your journeys and report any dangerous driving you encounter to West Yorkshire Police.
Horse riders and scooters
- Similarly to pedestrians, wear bright, reflective outer clothing and wear reflective items over the top of your clothes.
- We would recommend wearing full safety equipment, and in particular, helmets.
- Consider getting a mounted camera to record your journeys and report any dangerous driving you encounter to West Yorkshire Police.
Motorcycles
- Similarly to pedestrians, wear bright, reflective outer clothing and wear reflective items over the top of your clothes.
- We would recommend wearing full safety equipment, including helmet, gloves, boots and suit. This equipment gives you the best chance of staying safe should you be involved in a crash.
- Ensure all your lights are working and your tyres are properly inflated and in good condition.
- Ensure your bike is clean, clean surfaces reflect light better.
- Ride in the middle of the lane and always ride believing that other road users have not seen you.
- Consider getting a mounted camera to record your journeys and report any dangerous driving you encounter to West Yorkshire Police.
Drivers
- Be aware of the hierarchy of road users and your responsibilities to look at for those at more risk.
- Take extra time to double check that junctions and crossing points are safe before proceeding.
- Reduce speed if visibility is poor or there are hazards such as double parked vehicles.
- Ensure that all of your lights work before setting off. Use lights appropriately – side lights or normal beam are usually sufficient. Do not use front or rear fog lights unless the visibility is seriously reduced. The Highway Code says you should only use front or rear fog lights when visibility is below 100 metres (328 feet).
- Ensure your vehicle is well maintained. Screen washer fluid is topped up, and that your tyres are in good condition and inflated to the correct levels.
- Be wary of other vehicles flashing their headlights and do your own checks to ensure it is safe before moving.
- Ensure you are giving other roads users enough space, particularly when overtaking.
- Keep your vehicle clean allows for better visibility and also reflects light better for other road users.
- If your windows are obscured by condensation or ice, ensure you clean it all off before setting off.
- Carry a hi-visibility vest or jacket and put this on if you should need to get out of the car in the dark.
- Consider getting a dash cam to record your journeys and report any dangerous driving you encounter to West Yorkshire Police.
Vision Zero
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority have established a West Yorkshire Vision Zero Board to provide leadership on our commitment to reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured (KSI) on our roads by 50% by 2030, and to zero by 2040.
Follow @WYVisionZero on Facebook and ‘X’ to keep up to date with our regional campaign. and ‘X’ to keep up to date with our regional campaign.