WHY TO WEAR A REFLECTOR?

DARK ROADS

On a dark road, with low-beam lights, pedestrian who doesn't wear a reflector can be spotted from approximately 50 metres away, whereas a pedestrian wearing a reflector can be seen from as far as 350 metres away.

With high-beam lights, a pedestrian without a reflector can be seen from approximately 150 metres away. A reflector can increase pedestrian's visibility for over 4 times, making them visible from more than 600 metres away.

ADVERSE WEATHER

Adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, fog, limited light at night, dawn or dusk, and lights from other vehicles can greatly obstruct a driver's ability to see what's on the road ahead of them.

URBAN ROADS

Majority (88%) of all pedestrian casualties in the UK occur on well-lit urban roads. Street lights don’t guarantee visibility for drivers and adverse weather conditions can drastically reduce visibility on the road.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

While pedestrian reflectors are a valuable tool for improving pedestrian safety, it's essential to remember that they should complement, not replace, other safety measures. Pedestrians should still follow traffic rules, use designated crosswalks, and be vigilant when crossing roads. Similarly, drivers should always be attentive, obey speed limits, and be prepared to yield to pedestrians, especially in areas where pedestrian reflectors are commonly used.

HOW TO WEAR A REFLECTOR?

You can find many different kinds of reflectors: freely hanging, detachable and fixed. They are not mutually exclusive but rather complementary.

Best place for fixed reflectors are wrists and ankles. For freely hanging reflectors, best height is a knee-height. Wear reflectors on both sides.

For extra visibility for your pets, reflective vest is the best option. It is also a good idea to attach a reflector to the leash to make it more visible for cyclists and drivers.

National Statistics UK 2016-2021

  • An average of 8 pedestrians died and 115 were seriously injured each week in reported road collisions.

  • 66% of pedestrian fatalities occurred on urban roads compared to 88% of all pedestrian casualties.

  • Over half (58%) of pedestrian fatalities were in collisions involving a single car.

HISTORY

DID YOU KNOW?

Pedestrian reflectors were invented by a Finnish farmer Arvi Lehti in the early 1950s, to protect horse carts and carriages in the long and dark winter nights in Finland. Lehti's invention was a simple, circular reflector made of glass beads and reflective material.