VDH: ‘Be Bright at Night’ throughout darker months

For drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, being seen and conscious means being protected

Vermont Business Magazine Whether you stroll, drive or bike, the shorter days and longer nights make it particularly vital to see and be seen on the highway. To assist forestall accidents, the Department of Health’s Watch For Me VT program has launched Be Bright at Night, a highway security initiative that’s distributing free reflectors and security data for individuals and communities all through the state.

A current report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, discovered road-related accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists have been growing. Data for early 2021 confirmed bike owner deaths rose by 5% from 2020, and extra pedestrians have been hit and killed within the U.S. in 2021 than at any time prior to now 40 years.

“Most motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists occur at night,” mentioned Allie Breyer of the Health Department’s Injury Prevention Program. “With fewer hours of daylight during the winter months we need to adjust our driving and walking habits accordingly. Wearing a reflector when you are out is one very easy thing you can do to stay safe.”

Studies have discovered that at night time or low mild, an individual or bike with out reflectors is first seen to a driver at a distance of 75 to 100 toes. With a reflector, individuals are seen at 450 toes. That distinction means the motive force has 10 seconds to react as an alternative of two.

Starting this week and over the following a number of months, volunteers with the state’s Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) will hand out private reflectors and academic supplies at occasions and places throughout the state.

• December 2: Springfield Downtown Holiday Program
• December 3: Very Merry Middlebury
• December 11: Rutland Farmers Market Christmas Holiday Fair

Additional occasions and places will be discovered at safestreets.vermont.gov/be-bright-night.

The Watch for Me VT program is a part of the state’s broad effort to lift consciousness of highway questions of safety and promote driver, biker and pedestrian security. The Vermont Agency of Transportation funds this system, in addition to affords driver security tips and knowledge by means of drivewell.vermont.gov.

In addition, the division’s Healthy Communities program supplies instruments and assets that municipal planners and officers can use to develop and enhance insurance policies that defend group members whereas touring − equivalent to sustaining present sidewalks, including avenue lighting on the pedestrian stage to enhance the visibility of individuals strolling and biking, and strategize about infrastructure adjustments to maximise group well being and security. Under the state’s Complete Streets coverage, municipalities should contemplate the wants of all roadway customers. “We all have a role to play in creating safe, accessible and healthy places for Vermonters to live, work, travel and play,” mentioned Breyer. 

Follow these tips for making easy, protected choices whereas on the highway: 

Walking and Cycling

• Watch for others.
• Wear mild and brilliant or reflective clothes and have a flashlight or headlamp.
• Reflectors must be seen from the entrance and the again. A reflector ought to dangle since drivers discover motion greater than a stationary reflection.
• Cyclists are required to make use of both a flashing or regular pink rear mild OR a minimal of 20 sq. inches of reflective materials dealing with to the rear.
• Cross streets in well-lit areas with the most effective view of site visitors.
• Use sidewalks each time attainable.
• At the bus cease, cross behind the bus or within the crosswalk.

Driving

• Drive at a pace that leaves your self sufficient time to react. A pedestrian hit by a automobile going 40 mph has an 85% likelihood of being killed. At 20 mph, the chance is decreased to five%.
• Never drive distracted, when drowsy or aggressively.
• Do not get behind the wheel in case you are inebriated of medicine.
• Come to a whole cease at cease indicators and pink lights.
• Stay alert, at all times look ahead to bikes and pedestrians, and share the highway.

Learn extra at drivewell.vermont.gov and safestreets.vermont.gov.

Find tips for winter driving security at healthvermont.gov/environment/climate/winter-weather

About the Department of Health

We have been the state’s public well being company for greater than 130 years, working day by day to guard and promote the well being of Vermonters.

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12.1.2022. Burlington, VT — Vermont Department of Health | http://healthvermont.gov Images courtesy Vermont Department of Health