Pedestrians

Use dedicated pedestrian crossings at all times to cross the road.

Remind children to put all electronic devices away be vigilant before crossing. (Remember Stop, Look, Listen?) 

Try to encourage your children NOT to use headphones. This is because it will stop them having a full sense of their surroundings. The more that your children have their wits about them; the less likely children are to be taken by surprise. If they insist on using their headphones suggest they use the ear bud types and only use one side.

Be careful when walking up driveways. There could be cars pulling in or reversing out.

Try to walk on a footpath or pavement at all times. If there are none then keep in single file to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic.

Even if it takes a bit longer, you should encourage children to stay on well-lit roads and paths rather than through dark parks or deserted alleyways. They should also make sure they walk on the side of the road with cars heading towards them and ensure they are visible. It is worth checking out our reflective textile shapes that can be applied to bags or clothing to help children be seen in low light.

Carry a small torch that you can easily clip on to your key chain or using your smartphone’s torch app.

Dog Walking

As any dog walker knows, a dog walk can sometimes turn into an unpredictable outing. This is because dogs can be inquisitive creatures and

keen to have new adventures. However, dog owners should be aware of the additional risks of the dark especially those involving busy roads, pedestrians and other hazards such as potholes, which are difficult to spot in poor light. Happily, there are several ways to keep you and your dog safe whilst out getting exercise.

Hazards in the dark: The dark can mask potential hazards such as potholes, broken glass and sharp objects which could cut your pet’s paws. It can also cover dangers such as sudden drops on the other side of walls, or hidden bodies of water

Strangers Danger: If your pet is of a nervous disposition, then coming across other dogs in the dark can be even more stressful for them. Keeping your dog on a lead can help you to manage these unexpected encounters with other dogs.

Lead walking: It is better to keep your dog on a lead in the dark, especially near traffic. You are far more likely to lose your pet in the dark. Additionally, road traffic accidents involving pets are common and increase during hours of darkness

Be seen:  Ensure that both you and your pet both wear highly-visible clothing so you can clearly be seen by others. You can also opt for dog leads and collars which are reflective, or which come with flashing lights to increase your pet’s visibility. These can also help you to locate your pet in the dark. Carry a torch with you. Or better still, wear a head torch so that your hands free to manage the dog lead

Cycling

In the UK there are legal minimum requirements for cycling after dark; one front white light, one rear red light, plus the reflectors that should already be on your bike. It is important to remember that your lights must be working properly and your reflectors are clean and visible.

Here are some top tips to help keep you pedalling safely throughout autumn and winter and make sure you're visible to other road users.

Don't forget your lights - white for the front and red for the back

Know your route

be bright and wear reflective clothing

Keep your bike in shape

Be alert 

Keep safe.

Drivers

Ensure you stick to the speed limits, especially in residential areas and be extra cautious for children who may suddenly appear from between parked vehicles.

Be extra vigilant when approaching junctions or zebra crossings. People may be in dark clothing making them harder to spot at night.

Eliminate all distractions from inside your car so that you can concentrate better.

Take extra care when entering or exiting driveways, especially if you are reversing out on to the main road. Check all blind spots before reversing (we all learn this to pass our driving tests for good reason).

Ensure your headlights are working and not obscured by dust or dirt. Switch them on before dusk so you’re not inadvertently driving around unseen.

We had our first PraiseFest on Thursday last week and students were very excited to collect their rewards. Please make sure to ask students about their successes in lessons. More rewards are coming your way very soon.