Friday, 23 October 2009 08:14

After this weekends clock change the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership ask - 'Wouldn't be seen dead in Hi Viz'?
 
The clocks go back an hour on Sunday 25 October and young children, teenagers, cyclists and commuters are being targeted in a new visibility campaign by the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP).

The autumn clock change means brighter mornings, but also darker evenings and more potential pedestrian dangers. For example in Sussex, almost one in five teenagers have been involved in a road collision or “near miss” on their way home to and from school around this time of year. The teenagers are targeted in particular in this campaign. The benefits of wearing Hi Viz clothes are highlighted on posters and leaflets with the question posed 'Wouldn't be seen dead in this?' referring to the perhaps 'uncool' nature perceived around this sort of clothing. It features children aged between nine and fifteen years from Brighton and Hove who attend the Tarnerland Youth Centre.

The broader ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ campaign, urges all pedestrians to be safer by being more visible, and be seen wearing lighter or fluorescent clothes by day and less dark ideally reflective clothing in the dark. Cyclists, commuters and motorists are also being urged to be aware of the arrival of poor light conditions.

Although nationally the number of people being killed or injured on our roads is decreasing, the change in the clocks makes this time of year particularly dangerous for all road users – especially in the evening rush hour.  During the week, nearly 40% of all pedestrian casualties occur between 3pm and 6pm.

Neil Hopkins of the SSRP said: "As the nights draw in, we are urging children and teenagers to realise how important it is to be seen by motorists as they go home from school or college.” He continues," It's vital road users of all ages to make sure they take responsibility and the correct wear bright, reflective clothing and also that rush-hour drivers are especially watchful during their journeys. As well as making sure that their headlights are also working correctly and their appropriate winter vehicles maintenance checks are made as the weather changes."
 
He emphasised that figures show more than twice the number of child pedestrians national are killed or seriously injured when the clocks change,  compared with the weeks before and after.We are also aware there is a 10% increase in the overall number of pedestrian fatalities now.

Inspector Andy Judson, who is in charge of The North Downs Road Policing Unit operating out of Haywards Heath comments,"One of our key messages is focussed on teenagers in particular, reminding them when on or near roads this winter to wear something bright and reflective, it might save them  from being killed or seriously injured . All pedestrians need to be aware that although you may be able to see the car or van with its headlights on, it is not as easy for them to see you, especially if you are wearing dark clothing'.

This message is running on SSRP funded radio adverts across the whole of Sussex. Locally there will be SSRP attached Sussex Police PCSO's delivering reminders of this vital road safety message.

The DFT has also produced a series of 'Be Safe, Be Seen' tips':

• Make sure you can be easily seen, especially at night, on dark days and in bad weather.
• Bright or fluorescent clothes show up best by day, even in dull or misty weather
• In the dark, reflective material is best and shows up in car headlights - remember fluorescent clothing doesn't work after dark.
• Cross the road at the safest place possible e.g. zebra, pelican and patrolled crossings.
• If you're out at night, choose routes that are well-lit by streetlights and cross the road at well-lit places.
• If there is no pavement and you have to walk on the road, always face the oncoming traffic - this is particularly important in poor light or in the dark.

Warning leaflets are being handed to pedestrians, cyclists and commuters at the following town centres, routes to school and railway stations:

Tuesday 3rd November - Crawley 7am to 10am
Wednesday 4th November-  Horsham 7am to 10am
Friday 6th November - Burgess Hill  5pm to 7pm and Haywards Heath 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday 7th November - East Grinstead  7am to 10am

The campaign is also being taken into various Sussex schools including Tanbridge House School, Horsham and colleges by local road safety officers.