Road safety has issued an important reminder to warn motorists but also pedestrians and cyclists.
The countdown is on: on the night of Saturday October 29 to Sunday October 30, 2023, we will switch to winter time. For many, it will be a small gift of an extra hour of sleep that night, but above all it marks a sudden change in our daily lives. Especially mornings and evenings on the road. When it comes to getting around, on foot, by bike, scooter, two-wheeler or car, everyone is affected by this change.
A few time slots are particularly at issue. Between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., the sun will set earlier and the streets will be much darker. This sudden darkness combined with the density of traffic at this time increases the risk of accidents. Every year, after the time change, the statistics speak for themselves: accidents increase, especially involving pedestrians. Data between 2015 and 2019 published by Road Safety showed an alarming 42% increase in pedestrian accidents in November compared to October.
How to limit the risks? A few simple, everyday reflex actions can make a big difference. Pedestrians, but especially cyclists or scooter riders, are invited to be more visible, by wearing light-colored clothing and using reflective vests, armbands or bands. Here too, the figures speak for themselves: in the headlights of a car, a person dressed in black is visible only 20 meters away. However, at 50 km/h, a car needs 25 meters to stop on dry ground. With reflective accessories, this distance increases to 150 meters. Wearing a so-called “high visibility” vest (yellow, orange, or green) is in any case obligatory if you are traveling outside urban areas.
Motorists are not spared. They too are called upon to be extra vigilant. Always putting your indicator on when changing direction is one of them, but the most important thing is undoubtedly a mnemonic device to remember. “Left door, right hand – right door, left hand.” What does this consist of? Use the door handle with the opposite hand when getting out of the car, whether you are the driver or passenger. This change of hand automatically causes the shoulders to rotate and easily allows you to look backwards and the sadly aptly named “blind spot”.