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Be Bright Morning and Night

Published: 14/10/2016

‘Stay safe in the dark’ is the clear message from Flintshire County Council’s Road Safety team as the winter nights draw in. Although the UK has one of the best road safety records in the world, sadly 249 pedestrians and 138 cyclists were killed or seriously injured on Welsh roads in 2014. Everyone needs to play their part in keeping themselves and others safe. The team is reminding pedestrians, runners, cyclists and motorcyclists that being easily seen by drivers is especially important at this time of year. Some general advice is as follows: · If wearing dark clothing, simply carry a white carrier bag to raise visibility or you could buy flashing armbands and other suitable accessories. · Carrying your phone with the lit screen towards oncoming drivers could help them spot you in the dark, particularly in rural or poorly lit areas. · For cyclists, if you are riding a bicycle at night you must have a white front and red rear light lit. Your bike must also have a red rear reflector, and amber pedal reflectors. White front reflectors and spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen. · If driving, keep to an appropriate speed and give cyclists and, where there is no footpath, pedestrians plenty of space when overtaking. Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Bernie Attridge, said: “All road users have the responsibility of sharing the road space safely. Making sure you can be seen by other road users makes sense, and is essential, at this time of year, when light levels are poor and weather conditions can change visibility in seconds.”