Foyer Assurances
12 rue Léon Laval
L-3372 Leudelange
Tel. : 437 437
action prevention 2018
Pedestrians, get visible!
This coming Saturday, 27 October, we will be switching back an hour to winter time. At 3 o'clock in the morning, it will therefore really be 2 o'clock. While the unpleasant effects of this time shift on our biological clocks in terms of sleep or appetite spontaneously come to mind, the consequences go much further than that...
As soon as we change time, it will get dark earlier and visibility will be greatly reduced between 6 and 8 am and from 5 pm, times of the day when many people are travelling for instance to and back from school or work.
Studies show a connection between the time shift and road accidents in this period.
On foot or bicycle, these are called 'vulnerable users', and drivers are not sufficiently aware of the possible consequences. While a pedestrian or cyclist can clearly see the headlights of a car hundreds of metres away, the same is not true for motorists.
Pedestrians always have priority, and as a socially responsible player, Foyer wants to stress this right and suggest a few best practices to make these users less vulnerable.
Some simple tips that could save lives!
For pedestrians – children:
Children are smaller than adults and less predictable in their movements, which makes them particularly vulnerable: they can easily be hidden behind an obstacle and are not always aware of the dangers surrounding them. To avoid accidents, they should:
• Wear light-coloured clothing or colours that stand out from their environment;
• Walk facing in the direction of the on-coming traffic on country roads;
• Wear a fluorescent armband, safety jacket or accessories;
• Attach reflective accessories to their schoolbag or jacket;
• Be taught to walk as far from the road as possible.
For cyclists:
• Wear a helmet and safety jacket;
• Check bicycle equipment (white or yellow light in front, reflectors, red light at the back).
For joggers:
• Wear light-coloured armbands and clothing with reflective components;
• Wear a safety jacket outside built-up areas (mandatory).
For drivers:
• For cars that are equipped with these, activate the emergency Brake Assistance System, blind-spot detection and lane-departure warning systems. Unfortunately most car dealers only activate these options on demand;
• Turn on the lights when conditions require it;
• Adapt speed and indicate manoeuvres;
• Be doubly cautious, particularly at pedestrian crossings.
As from Friday, 26 October, Foyer will be launching a road-safety awareness campaign. Protection kits* for 'vulnerable users' are available at all branches.
Be visible!
*While stocks last
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