Time to reflect on road safety
To be safe as a road user you have to be seen and this applies particularly to children as they make their way to and from school. With the return of the darker evenings, officers of the PSNI’s Roads Policing Unit for H District which includes Ballymena Coleraine, Ballymoney, Moyle and Larne are eager to ensure pedestrians stay safe this winter.
“Wear something bright” – that’s the message from Road Safety Education Officer Constable John Jamieson who together with District Policing Partnerships, has been issuing high visibility jackets to school children across the North East.
He said, “We have seen an increase in the number of children walking and cycling to and from school and as many are making these journey’s in conditions of poor light we are encouraging people to wear high visibility jackets in an effort to make their journey safer and to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads in the North East.
“It is imperative cyclists can be seen by other road users as well, and bikes should be fitted with working front and rear lights. The addition of reflective clothing, helps motorists to be more aware of a cyclist’s presence on the roads, and will contribute much to road safety.
“Pedestrian safety is also important and if walking in conditions of poor light or at night, particularly on unlit rural roads, people of all ages need to wear something bright at night and preferably something that is highly reflective too. Pedestrians should always walk facing the oncoming traffic and for added safety should carry a torch, which will also help to alert motorists to their presence.
“Be seen, and stay safe this Winter,” urged Constable Jamieson.
