Why a pedestrian reflector?

(Information translated from Vägverket in Sweden, Road Safety)

You should wear a Pedestrian Reflector when you go for a walk in the dark. Without one, you are hard to discover for a motorist, both in built-up areas and along country roads. The risk to be hit by a car is 3 times as big in the dark, compared to in daylight. Already at dusk the risk increases. The streetlights are no guarantee you are visible.

Most accidents involving pedestrians happen in built-up areas, where the street lights are lit. The street lights make you see where you are heading, but that does not mean that you are very visible. In the dark, the eye has difficulty seeing contrasts, even in lit up streets.

That is WHY you need to be discovered by the drivers!! Also, when it is raining, and the road is wet, it becomes even darker. The efficiency of the streetlight is weakened.

The evening walk with the dog can be dangerous, if not both the owner and the dog wear reflectors. No matter how well trained your dog is, it can all of a sudden pull towards an unexpected target!


What is a pedestrian reflector?

The Pedestrian Reflector is a simple safety device that you attach to your clothing when going for a walk in dark conditions. The most common one is the prism pendant, which is made in different shapes and colours. Another reflector is the “Slap Wrap”, which is a band which with its “roll-up”function is easily placed around a leg or an arm. Perfect when jogging, running, bike riding and walking. There are also varieties for dogs. All made according to the European Standard.

Reflection means “return of the light image”, and the reflector returns 95% of the light from the head light of a car.

This means that:

When you wear a reflector, they are visible about 125 meters away at low beam, and about 300 metres away at high beam. That gives the driver enough time to slow down, and pass you safely.

If not wearing a reflector, you are hard to see from a distance of more than 25 metres, which is the breaking distance of a car travelling at 50 km’s per hour!

The reflector can diminish risks of an accident, and is a low cost device to enhance personal safety.


How to wear it?

The Pedestrian Reflector should be placed low, eg knee high, for maximum visibility. You attach it with a piece of string and a safety pin supplied with the reflector. It should swing freely and be visible to the front AND rear, eg on the side of your body. The Pedestrian Reflector should be replaced every 1-3 years, depending on for instance scratches, as it then looses some effectiveness.

Why people don't use reflectors
 

• They don’t know about them

• They forget putting it on

• They think the streetlight is enough

• They “don’t go” with the outfit

• They think they are complicated to use

• They only walk on the sideway anyway

• They think they have time to jump aside

• The reflector is in some other clothing

• They are only walking a short distance

• They live where there is hardly any traffic

BE SAFE!