The Donegal Road Safety Working Group is asking everyone to support their new campaign “Be Safe Be Seen!” to help reduce the number of road casualties in the County. More than two thirds of fatal pedestrian collisions happen during the hours of darkness. Although pedestrians can hear a car coming and see it’s lights, it’s driver may not see the pedestrian and certainly won’t hear them.
Eamonn Brown, Road Safety Officer said: “With darker mornings and evenings there is an increased risk to all road users. Every year in Ireland people are being killed or seriously injured simply because they could not be seen by drivers.”
As part of the on-going road safety awareness campaign, the group are promoting the wearing of high visibility reflective vests and armbands during the winter months. Free armbands are available from Garda Stations and local Public Service Centres. Inspector Pat O’Donnell said "At this time of year it is important to remember Be Safe Be Seen! by wearing fluorescent clothing during the day and reflective material at night so passing cars can see you". He added, “ I would encourage people to drop into their local Garda Station and pick up a free armband which could save your life”.
Even when streets are well lit it can still sometimes be difficult for drivers to see other road users, so the Road Safety Working Group are reminding all road users, not just in the rural areas, to wise up and make sure they can be seen.
The Group are also asking drivers to use dipped headlights during daylight hours. According to research, Daytime Running Light (DRL) has a high potential to increase road safety. It helps road users to detect and recognise vehicles earlier and better. Studies estimate the life-saving potential of DRL to be in the order of 3 to 5% of annual road deaths.
Chairman of the Donegal Road Safety Working Group, Stephen Lambert, said: “Using Daytime Running Lights has the potential to reduce the number of collisions on our roads by increasing the visibility of vehicles. I would encourage all drivers to adopt the practice of using dipped headlights at all times. In short be safe be seen, pedestrian wear bright clothing and drivers use dipped head lights even during daylight hours.”
If you ride a bicycle make sure you fit lights and check that they work properly every time you go out. Motorcyclists should also ensure that other road users can see them at all times.