Few people leave their homes without paying some attention to how they are dressed. When we choose our clothing suit our personality are we thinking about how we will appear to other road users when we are pedestrians after dark? The right choice of clothing for your next walk at night could be critical!
Pedestrian Dangers in the Dark
About two thirds of pedestrian fatalities occur at night. This is probably because research indicates that pedestrians can be very difficult for drivers to see after dark. A pedestrian in dark clothing at night will not be seen in time to stop if the driver is using low beam headlights and travelling faster than 60 km/h.
There is a 5 year average (June 2024) of 54 pedestrians killed and 2,266 pedestrians injured in crashes on BC roads each year. ICBC does not include time of day data for these crashes on their website.
We're Not as Visible as We Think
We tend to underestimate that we are difficult to see in the dark. Our ability to recognize something decreases rapidly with falling light levels and drivers need it to find and identify pedestrians.
Visual guidance abilities such as walking through a darkened room remain effective, lulling us into thinking that we are more visible than we really are. Critically, we may overestimate by as much as triple the safe distance.
Being Seen and Identified as a Pedestrian
How do you increase your chances of being seen and be identified as a pedestrian? A reflective vest is better than dark clothing, but reflective material positioned at the major joints of the body (ankles, knees, waist, shoulders, elbows and wrists) is even better. This will show "biological motion" and allow the driver to decide "human" far more quickly.
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I would like to comment on how absolutely stupid some people are. They think because they are pedestrians they have every right to walk behind you as you are backing out a parking spot in a mall.
Last December at a busy local mall, it was already dark at 5:00pm and I was in the first line next to the storefronts. That meant the bright lights illuminated the sidewalk and shone brightly into the parking area and my eyes.
As I started to back up my motion sensor started to beep loudly. I immediately hit my brake and lo and behold there was a woman wearing total black sauntering behind my vehicle totally oblivious to the fact I was backing out before she decided to walk right behind me. Are people insane? This is very common today in both darkness and daylight.
I am from the old school where common sense was taught and thought. Makes me an old Dinosaur I guess. I see someone backing out, I stop, wait for them to leave then continue on to my vehicle. Maybe that’s why I made it 84 1/2 years old… so far.
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Pedestrians at any time are a concern for drivers. At night it is difficult to see people in dark clothing on the roadway. Especially when the pedestrians are not aware of their surroundings impaired by drugs. This we have witnessed in Courtenay several times.
What to do with people who do not take responsibility for themselves?
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Stupidity