Dark Nights Approaching!

Summer is almost a distant memory and autumn is well and truly upon us. For some this may mark the countdown to spring, but for me autumn is my favourite time of the year. It is a beautiful time of transition, with stunning reds and browns appearing on the trees, swirled and buffeted by blustery winds. It is the time to embrace winter warmers for dinner and the stark contrast between indoors and out. For children, it is a time of new beginnings: settling into new classes and, for some, new schools.

However this leads me to the one thing I don’t like about autumn: the changing of the clocks. It’s not the fact that I lose an hour of sleep, although that is something of an inconvenience; it’s the sudden change from travelling home in the light to travelling home in the dark. This change, even though it happens every year, still takes some getting used to. You travel to school or work in the morning and it is light. You hop on your bike, not even considering that coming home you are likely to need your lights. You send the kids off to school, forgetting that their dark uniform is much harder to spot as dusk approaches and they are heading home.

It probably comes as no surprise then, that this time of year sees a peak in road casualties, particularly for pedestrians. However, there are very simple things that everyone can do to make sure they can see others and be seen themselves:

Drivers

• Always use lights in dark and gloomy conditions.

• Use fog lights when visibility is significantly reduced, and make sure to turn them off when visibility improves so as not to dazzle other road users.

• Take extra time to look for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists who may be harder to see.

• Adjust your speed so you can always stop within the distance you can see is clear ahead.

Cyclists

• Always use lights in dark and gloomy conditions.

• Wear bright colours that stand out better during the day.

• Wear reflective materials that are more visible in the dark.

• Ensure reflectors on your bike are clean and not obscured by clothing or luggage.

Pedestrians

• Wear bright colours that stand out better during the day.

• Wear reflective materials that are more visible in the dark.

Motorcyclists

• Always use lights in dark and gloomy conditions.

• Wear bright colours that stand out better during the day.

• Wear reflective materials that are more visible in the dark.

• Adjust your speed so you can always stop in the distance you can see to be clear ahead.

• Adjust your position to increase your visibility to other road users.

Whether you love or loathe autumn, I hope you can see the difference a little thought can make to your safety.


Note: post also featured in Cambridge Edition magazine October issue