How to Maintain Visibility at Night

Pedestrian Safety is Key to a Happy Halloween

Summer is officially over and shorter days are now upon us. Hours of daylight are dwindling, leading to more opportunities for nighttime travel. Travelling on foot at night or before the sun has risen can be dangerous due to a higher risk of not being seen. In 2017, 75% of pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark, which is up 3% since 2014. With that said, Halloween is right around the corner and to ensure a safe and happy Halloween, pedestrian safety measures should be followed.

Here is a list of 7 guidelines to adhere to for safe, nighttime travel on foot as suggested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

1. Wear reflective clothing
2. Carry a flashlight
3. Stay in well-lit areas, especially when crossing the street
4. Walk on a sidewalk or trail, when available
5. Don’t walk on the road, if possible
   • If there is no sidewalk or trail available, walk against traffic and as far from the road as possible
6. Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections
7. Avoid walking along highways or other roadways where pedestrians are prohibited

The most important takeaways are to remain visible at all times and to walk in safe places.

Unfortunately, pedestrian fatalities are continuing to rise. An estimated 6,227 pedestrians were killed in 2018, an increase of 250 from 2017. These are not numbers we like to see however, by doing our part we can take steps toward lowering these rates.