Who shines, is seen in time
Anyone traveling on foot, by bicycle or e-bike in the dark is exposed to twice the risk of an accident - especially when wearing dark clothing. An important measure is therefore to improve visibility.
According to a Analysis According to the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU), the risk of accidents on foot, by bicycle or e-bike at night is twice as high as during daylight. At night, there is also a higher risk of being killed in an accident. It is therefore important to increase one's own visibility. Compared to people dressed in dark clothing, pedestrians wearing light-colored clothing can be recognized from three times the distance.
If reflectors are worn on the wrists and ankles, the recognition distance increases by a factor of four to five. It is a fact that many road users underestimate their own visibility and thus also the risk of accidents at night.
Even those who travel by motor vehicle should make sure to wear a reflective vest and keep their headlights clean when driving. On the Day of Light, which took place on November 4, 2021, the police and the organization "Pro Velo", among others, raised awareness among pedestrians and cyclists with a reflective gift.
The most important tips for better visibility
- On foot: wear light-colored clothing, reflective materials
- On the bike, e-bike, scooter and motorcycle: additionally wear light vest
- Equip the bike with front and rear lights and reflectors
- Car and motorcycle: keep lights on and headlights clean; reduce speed in darkness
- On scooter, skateboard and co.: use lights at night or when visibility is poor
For more information on visibility, see: bfu.ch/visible
Source: AAIB
