Running Safety and Visibility
Be Safe - Be Seen!
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.
US News Video with Safety Tips for Women Runners
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