While the transition to winter time is done, the Road Safety of France reminds pedestrians of the importance of making visible on the roads and provides some basic advice to all users.

October 2019 - As the transition to winter time has arrived, Road Safety reminds pedestrians of the importance of being visible on the road and provides some basic advice to all users. Each year, this period is indeed marked by an accidental peak of + 50% of pedestrian accidents for the only time slot 17 h / 19 h (and + 18% on the time slot 7 h / 9 h).

Three questions to Emmanuel Barbe, Interdepartmental Delegate for Road Safety:

What are the effects of time changes on road accidents?

" The drop in brightness is causing a real problem of visibility for pedestrians, cyclists and scooter users.
Road pedestrian mortality peaks in autumn / winter: almost half of the pedestrians killed each year are killed in the four months from October to January.
We do not know, but the number of pedestrian accidents increases by 50% during the first weeks after the change of time. "

How to explain these figures?

" When we go to winter time, the number of trips at night or at night increases. You have to be aware of the phenomenon and redouble your attention.
Lighting is reduced to the key moments that are the outputs and work-home trips. Road users are less aware of pedestrians on the tracks . "

What behaviors to adopt to limit the risk of an accident?

" You have to make yourself bright with appropriate equipment: for example, lighter clothes and school bags with reflective strips for children.
A pedestrian or cyclist must never think that because we see, we are visible. Only because he sees a car, he is seen by his driver. "

See and be seen: advice to users

PEDESTRIANS:

STAY VISIBLE BY CARRYING A REFLECTIVE ACCESSORY OR CLEAR COLOR CLOTHES.

The simple fact of having a reflective accessory on one can be seen earlier by motorists. In the headlights of a car, pedestrians are visible only 20 meters away when dressed in black. However, at 50 km / h, a car needs a minimum of 25 meters to stop on dry ground (38 meters on wet ground). With reflective accessories, pedestrians are visible 150 meters away.

PARENTS, ALSO PREFER CLEAR CLOTHES FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND CARTABLES WITH RETRO-REFLECTIVE FEATURES.

USE THE PROTECTED PASSAGES.

The pedestrian crossing remains the safest place to cross. For the record, the Highway Code (Article R412-37) states that: "Pedestrians must cross the roadway taking into account the visibility as well as the distance and speed of vehicles. They must use, where they are within 50 meters, the passages intended for them. "

CROSS CAREFULLY. 
To have priority does not mean to cross without precaution, especially in the dim light. Walk on the left side of the road to see the vehicles coming in front. While crossing, look to the left, to the right, then again to the left.

AUTOMOBILISTS:

SLOW DOWN IN APPROACH TO PEDESTRIAN PASSAGE 
Better to be predicting, so anticipate and slow down before a pedestrian crossing, especially in the dark. You must be able to stop before the passage, as pedestrians are likely to emerge.

RESPECT PEDESTRIANS PRIORITY. 
When approaching a crosswalk, give way to the pedestrian crossing or about to cross. For the record, you risk a fine of 135 euros and the loss of 6 points on your driver's license in case of non-compliance with this obligation.

VIGILANCE IN THE APPROACH OF A PEDESTRIAN PASSAGE. 
The Highway Code (Article R414-5) states that "when pedestrian crossings are approached, drivers must overtake only after making sure that no pedestrians are engaged on the passage ".

CIRCULATE DRY AND DISHWASTED GLASSES. 
The reflections mask the presence of a pedestrian.

REMAIN REMOTE. 
Move at least one meter off sidewalks for pedestrian and cyclist safety.

(Source: securite-routiere.gouv.fr)