The danger increases from October. 41 percent of all pedestrian accidents occur in the dark months from the beginning of autumn to January. Next Sunday, October 30th, the summer time changes again with the winter time. The clocks go back an hour, the days get shorter and the nights get longer. A circumstance that, together with the typical weather conditions, makes it difficult for pedestrians to be seen.
The state’s infrastructure department is therefore once again providing free reflector tapes this year. They are now available from all ÖAMTC and Arbö bases and from the e-mail address reflektorband@ooe-gv.at. This year, children have a glowing companion for gloomy days in the form of a penguin stuffed animal.
Pedestrians walking without lighting material can only be seen at a distance of 25 meters in the dark. Motorists traveling at 50 kilometers per hour have a stopping distance of around 40 meters. Walkers are often seen much too late. “Observations show that we adults in particular do not wear light-colored clothing or reflectors – due to fashion aspects or vanity. But we adults in particular should make sure to set an example for our children during these months,” says Transport Minister Günther Steinkellner (FP). But not only the car, but also the clothing should be prepared for the winter, says Arbö Managing Director Thomas Harruk.
Source: Nachrichten
