Compared to summer, visibility on the road deteriorates considerably in autumn and winter, both as darkness falls earlier and because of changing weather conditions.
Safe Driving School director Jānis Vanks said: "If you are driving in the dark, it is raining, the lights of oncoming cars are reflecting - visibility is very limited. The time we have to react to avoid unpleasant situations is not very long."
Pedestrians should therefore take extra care for their safety after dark. If the road is not sufficiently and evenly lit, pedestrians should wear a reflective vest or clothing with highly visible reflectors.
"It's not expensive, it's not complicated. You just have to think about it," added Vanks.
Juris Jančevskis, Head of the State Police Response Department, said: "The regulations state that [reflectors] are a mandatory requirement in dark places, where there is no lighting, outside populated areas. But we definitely recommend to use them always and everywhere. In any case, the pedestrian always sees the car first, but the driver may see the pedestrian at the very last moment in dark areas."
Vanks added that when crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing with lights, it is important to give the driver time to see the pedestrian. "If you arrive at a lighted crossing out of the darkness and walk across without looking, then there is a high probability that it will be a dangerous moment," he said.
Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) spokesman Mārtiņš Mālmeisters urged parents to make sure their children are wearing reflectors. Also, now grown-up children can think about their parents and ask them to use reflectors.
This year, 406 pedestrians were injured and 14 killed in road accidents in Latvia by the end of September. During the autumn and winter period, drivers are urged to take extra care and ensure that their vehicles are in good roadworthiness.
