National Reflex Day is being organized for the 13th time in 2018. The goal of the day is to increase the use of reflex and to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents. Kyrre Gorvell-Dahl better known as Kygo is this year’s reflex designer.
Safe Traffic’s call to everyone this day is: Find out your reflections, check that they still have an effect and attach them to the outer jackets. Or go out and buy yourself a new little lifeguard this day!
The margins between a near-accident and a serious accident are small
Over 1, 7 million Norwegians have experienced near-misses due to lack of reflex use according to Trygg Trafikk. We know that reflex works, but there are still few who use reflex! In recent years, about 4 out of 10 have been using reflexes.
The effect of reflex is higher than many people think
Pedestrians are at higher risk than many other road users, especially in the dark. The risk is at least twice as high for being hit in the dark as in daylight. The accidents often happen because drivers are unable to detect dark pedestrians in the dark until it is too late. It also turns out that the chance is greater in the evening for drivers to drive with a crush or less alert due to fatigue. And when we know that pedestrians are far less protected against accidents than people in cars, it underlines the importance of reflex use.
The purpose of using reflections and clothing with visible colors and reflective materials is to make you visible so that the driver can detect you more easily, even in situations where motorists do not count on any pedestrians. Reflective use reduces pedestrian accidents. Without a reflective material, you are first visible at 25 – 30 meters, while with reflective tape you appear at 140 meters when the car uses a low beam.
Converted to seconds, the driver has 10 instead of 2 seconds to respond, it can be the difference between life and death.
Street lighting creates false security, and many believe that reflexes are not necessary when walking in areas with street lights. It is wrong. Even if you see the car, the motorist does not see you. Therefore, it is cheap life insurance to always use at least one reflex when you are out in the dark.
Tips on using reflex
Safe Traffic recommends hanging the reflex at knee height. Then receive the most light from the car headlights. Reflections that move when you use them, they seem best. A strong color reflective vest will have a good effect both in the dark and in daylight. Check that the pedestrian reflex you are using is marked with CE EN 13356, it is of good quality. But reflections get worn when you retrieve the old reflectors from the drawer check that it affects! Put the reflectors in the pocket of the jackets you wear, so you don’t have to remember to bring it with you when you go out.