Be Safe - Be Seen!

Updated September 11th 2018

Car Speed	Conditions	Reaction Distance	Braking Distance	Total	Black Visible at 15m	Dark Visible at 30m	Yellow Visible at 50m	White Visible at 75m	Hi- Viz Visible at 150m
40 kph	Dry	17m+	9m	26m		Seen	Seen	Seen	Seen
40 kph	Wet	17m+	13m	30m			Seen	Seen	Seen
50 kph	Dry	21m+	14m	35m			Seen	Seen	Seen
50 kph	Wet	21m+	20m	41m			Seen	Seen	Seen
60 kph	Dry	25m+	20m	45m			Seen	Seen	Seen
60 kph	Wet	25m+	29m	54m				Seen	Seen
70 kph	Dry	29m+	27m	56m				Seen	Seen
70 kph	Wet	29m+	40m	69m				Seen	Seen
80 kph	Dry	33m+	36m	69m				Seen	Seen
80 kph	Wet	33m+	52m	85m					Seen
90 kph	Dry	38m+	45m	83m					Seen
90 kph	Wet	38m+	65m	103m					Seen
100 kph	Dry	42m+	56m	98m					Seen
100 kph	Wet	42m+	80m	122m					Seen
110 kph	Dry	46m+	67m	113m					Seen
110 kph	Wet	46m+	97m	143m					Seen

Even if you're Dead Right - There's no point in ending up Just as Dead as if you were Wrong!

The above infographic and table vividly demonstrate the value of wearing Hi-Viz clothing when running or walking in dark and low-light condtions.

Remember! These are best case conditions - If a driver is impaired by drink or drugs, or on their mobile phone, the quoted stopping distances may be increased very significantly.

Many people, wrongly, think that Yellow or White tops are adequate for them to be seen. Clearly Hi-Viz, which can be seen at 150m, is the safest option.....BUT even then, every runner  needs to take responsibility for their own safety....Be Ready for the Unexpected!

As for anyone wearing dark clothing, even in lit, built up areas, at night ....get a Hi-Viz! It's a No-Brainer!

• More than two-thirds of fatal pedestrian collisions happen at night. Although you can hear a car coming and see its lights, the driver may not see you (and certainly won’t hear you).

• Be seen. Wear high-visibility, brightly colored clothing. When out near or after  sunset, reflective materials are a must. (If you don't own reflective clothing, a lightweight reflective vest is a great option.

• Use a headlamp or handheld light so you can see where you're going, and drivers can see you. The light should have a bright LED (drivers see blinking red as a hazard).

• Don't assume a driver sees you. In fact, imagine that a driver can't, and behave accordingly. Think that you're invisible.

• Face traffic. It’s easier to see, and react to, and evade, oncoming cars. Drivers will see you more clearly too. It's also easier to see (and react to) any mistake an advancing motorist may make.

• Make room. If traffic gets heavy, or the road narrows, be prepared to move onto the footpath or shoulder of the road.

• Unplug your ears. If you insist on using iPods or wearing headphones—you need to be able to hear approaching vehicles, run with the volume low and just one earbud in.

• Beware of high-risk drivers. Steer clear of potential problem areas like entrances to garages, carparks, bars, and restaurants, where there may be heavy traffic.

• Watch for early birds and night owls who have not cleared frost or morning dew off their windshields; they may not be able to see you. At odd hours be extra careful. Early in the morning and very late at night, people may be overtired and not as attentive.

• Mind your manners. At a stop sign or light, wait for the driver to wave you through—then acknowledge with your own polite wave. That acknowledgement will make the driver feel more inclined to do it again for the next walker or runner. Use hand signals (as you would on a bicycle) to show which way you plan to turn.

• Never cross at a bend

• If possible, cross at a pedestrian crossing or traffic lights

•  Always carry some form of identification, also include information on allergies, blood group, medical fund and contact number for next of kin.

• Write down or leave word of the direction of your run. Tell friends and family of your regular running routes.
  
  
• DON'T assume, just because you have right of way, that the driver/biker/cyclist has seen you. They may be distracted by mobile phones, are on drugs/drink, running the red lights, or whatever. Be alert at all time! YOU are responsible for YOUR OWN safety!

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