How to get through the often dull autumn and winter time as safe as possible reveals Siegfried Angier from the police.
“In the autumn and winter months, it is particularly dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists,” warns Siegfried Angier, the deputy police district commander. He is responsible for traffic safety issues of the executive branch. “The early twilight, poor visibility, fog, insufficiently lit paths, and unadapted driving lead to many accidents during this time,” says Angier from many years of practical experience in the police service. He knows some important safety tips for the behavior of pedestrians and cyclists in order to get through the autumn and winter months unscathed.
Make yourself visible
“Ideally, you wear light or reflective clothing,” Angier advises. “Reflective bands, safety vests, and the like increase visibility.” Especially with children and adolescents, it is important that they are clearly visible in the traffic through light or reflective clothing which made of reflective fabric.
That’s the way it is in practice
“A dark-clad pedestrian is perceived by a car driver using low-beam lights only from a distance of 25 to 30 meters,” explains Angier. “Light-clad pedestrians, on the other hand, can be seen from about 50 meters, and additional reflective materials can increase visibility to 130 to 160 meters,” he says.
Avoid danger zones
“Even avoiding poorly lit road sections, if there is no proper sidewalk, is advisable,” says Angier. “Using well-lit junctions where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles are easily recognizable is essential.”
Also, make the bike fit
Aligner’s final suggestion: “By the way, like his car, you should make your bike winter-ready before you ride it, especially lights, reflectors, brakes, and tires.”