In 2018, thirteen pedestrians were killed in road accidents. Five of the accidents happened in the dark, and a total of six people perished in these accidents.
"Four of the six did not use reflex, and too many of us choose to leave the reflex unused in the pocket or at home in the dresser drawer," says senior adviser Rita Aarvold in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. This even though we know that reflex saves lives.
Get discovered faster
"40 percent of all pedestrian accidents happen in the dark, and a motorist coming at you at 50 km / h has only two seconds to see you. Without reflective material, you are only visible on a 25-30 meter hold. With reflective material, the motorist sees you eight seconds earlier, equivalent to 140 meters hold," says Aarsvold, adding that you are visible at 400 meters distance if the car uses a high beam.
According to surveys conducted by Trygg Trafikk, four out of ten Norwegians use reflex. It is adults over 30 who are the worst, and men are in the majority - while the children are the best.
Reduce risk by 85 percent
Aarsvold encourages everyone to find the reflex now that the darkness is over.
"If you choose to walk with visible reflective tape, you reduce the risk of accidents by 85 percent," points out Aarsvold. She recommends hanging reflectors, reflective vest, or slap wrap around the arm and/or ankle.
"Use common sense. The most important thing is to make yourself as visible as possible as you move along roads and streets in the dark," Aarsvold concludes.
Also, remember to make yourself well visible when cycling
You are at least equally prone to accidents when cycling in the dark. The regulations set requirements for what should be in place on the bike.
When cycling in the dark or dusk, the front of the bike must be equipped with a fixed yellow or white light and/or a multifunctional lamp that provides flashing or solid white light. At the rear, the bike should be illuminated with a fixed or flashing red light. This is the case with cycling on the "ordinary convenience" road or area.
The lamps should be visible at a distance of 300 meters. Flashing lamps flashing at least 120 flashes per minute.
The lamps must be attached to the bicycle.
There should be a red reflex behind.
On both sides of the pedals, there should be a white or yellow reflex. If the bicycle has click pedals on which no reflex can be mounted, the bicycle must have reflex on the pedal arms.
The reflections must be of an approved type. In principle, it must be assumed that what is sold as a "bicycle light" is in line with the requirements.
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