“Go bright and go 20” as evenings get darker, says Brake
According to the DfT, last year in the UK 518 people were killed and 8,345 seriously injured while walking and cycling, and the risks are heightened on dark winter evenings. Drivers can protect people on foot or bike by slowing down to 20mph or below around homes, schools and shops, giving themselves a far better chance of stopping in time in an emergency, such as if a child steps out from the darkness unexpectedly.
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, the road safety charity, said: ‘As the clocks go back and afternoons get darker, people on foot and bike are more at risk, so it's a time when drivers needs to be extra vigilant – and that includes slowing down, and going 20 or below in towns and villages. It's also an ideal time for schools, organisations and community groups to help raise awareness and prevent casualties by getting involved with Brake's Bright Day initiative.
'Bright Days are a fun, simple way to promote vital road safety messages while raising funds to support Brake's work supporting families coping with the devastation of a death or serious injury in a road crash. Brake also continues to campaign for the government to take a positive step to stop preventable casualties by changing the clocks for good.’