As overcast autumn weather sets in and daylight hours begin to shorten, it becomes more difficult for drivers to spot pedestrians.
As overcast autumn weather sets in and daylight hours begin to shorten, it becomes more difficult for drivers to spot pedestrians.
Every year, with the onset of autumn, there is a surge in road traffic accidents involving vulnerable road users.
The main contributing factors to road traffic accidents involving pedestrians are:
- crossing the roadway at an unauthorised location; - unexpected emergence of a pedestrian onto the roadway from behind obstacles obstructing drivers' visibility; - crossing the road on a red traffic signal; - pedestrians being under the influence of alcohol; - drivers violating the rules for passing pedestrian crossings; - pedestrians not using retro-reflective elements during hours of darkness.
Over 90 percent of pedestrian collisions with severe consequences occur during hours of darkness.
When walking along the roadside or the edge of the roadway during hours of darkness or in conditions of poor visibility, pedestrians should carry items with retro-reflective elements and ensure these items are visible to vehicle drivers. Do not step onto the roadway in an unauthorised location.
Cycling should be carried out on a cycle path, and in its absence, on the verge, pavement, or pedestrian path. In the absence of the specified road elements or the impossibility of cycling on them, cyclists are permitted to ride on the roadway in a single file, no further than 1 metre from its right edge.