Low-light Safety Tips
Whether you are driving or walking, we all have a role to play in preventing tragic accidents. In low-light/twilight conditions like the early morning and evening hours, both pedestrians and drivers can take steps to be safer.
Tips for pedestrian safety in low light:
- Wear reflective clothing: Choose clothing with reflective strips or bright colors like white, yellow, or fluorescent to make yourself more visible to drivers.
- Use sidewalks and designated crosswalks: Stick to well-lit sidewalks and only cross streets at marked crosswalks.
- Walk facing traffic: Walk facing oncoming traffic so drivers can see you—especially if there’s no sidewalks.
- Carry a flashlight: In very dark areas, consider carrying a flashlight to illuminate your path and signal your presence to others.
- Avoid distractions: Minimize phone usage while walking to maintain focus on your surroundings.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Stay alert and pay attention to potential hazards like uneven surfaces or oncoming vehicles.
Tips for drivers in low light:
- Increased awareness: Pay close attention to potential pedestrian areas, like crosswalks, intersections, and dimly lit areas.
- Slow down: Reduce your speed to give yourself more time to react and stop if a pedestrian appears.
- Use high beams when appropriate: When safe to do so, utilize high beams to illuminate the road further ahead and better spot pedestrians.
- Scan the road carefully: Actively look for pedestrians, not just in the immediate area, but also at the edges of your headlights.
- Be prepared to stop: Maintain a safe following distance and be ready to brake immediately if a pedestrian steps into the road.
- Look for movement: Watch for any subtle movement that could indicate a pedestrian.