Staying safe on Devon’s roads
Road users are being reminded to make sure they “get noticed” when the clocks go back this weekend.
Devon County Council is urging pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders to wear reflective and fluorescent clothing to ensure they can be seen on the county’s roads as British Summer Time comes to an end.
Car drivers are also being asked to “give cyclists space” and look out for all other road users as the winter nights draw in, especially when visibility is limited due to mist, rain and fog.
In Devon, between October and December in 2013, 14 motorcyclists were either killed or seriously injured, while 14 pedestrians and seven cyclists were seriously injured. During that time 20% of all injury accidents occurred in the rain.
Nationally, more than 1,600 pedestrians were either killed or seriously injured on roads and 786 cyclists were either killed or seriously injured during this time.
Interactive road signs and public buses around Devon will display safety messages, asking pedestrians and cyclists to “brighten up and get noticed”, while drivers are reminded to “watch out for pedestrians and cyclists”.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “Bright fluorescent clothing and reflective strips on jackets, bags or helmets can make a real difference when it comes to being seen by passing traffic. Cyclists, pedestrians, horse-riders and motorcyclists should make themselves as visible as possible when travelling to and from school or work. It’s even more important at this time of year as the evenings draw in and fog and rain can affect visibility. The County Council is committed to continuing to reduce the number of collisions on our roads, and I would encourage all road users to be aware of each other and take extra care in order to stay safe this autumn and winter.”
The advice from Devon County Council is:
- Pedestrians should, wherever possible, use marked crossing points on roads, although they do not have right of way over traffic unless they are on a zebra or light controlled crossing;
- Cyclists must comply with the law by using a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back;
- Horse riders should select crossing points very carefully and show courtesy to drivers who have slowed down for them;
- Drivers should travel at an appropriate, lower speed for the conditions and look out for – and give space to – walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Check your ‘blind spot’ before changing course direction as there could be a motorcyclist alongside you;
- All road users should look out for each other and take care, particularly in wet or icy conditions or if there are leaves on the road.
To show your support for the “Give cyclists space” campaign you can order a car sticker from environment@devon.gov.uk
