A new scheme to help Mayo’s older residents stay safe when out walking is about to be launched as part of Positive Ageing Week which runs from September 26 to October 4.
Mayo Council's Road Safety Unit will be handing out high visibility shopping bags (See Me Bags ) to the elderly throughout the county through active retirement groups. The See Me bags have reflective strips on them which effectively light up when a car's headlights shine on them.
Noel Gibbons, Mayo County Council’s Road Safety Officer, said: “It’s a sad fact that all too often during the winter months we see an increase in the number of older people who are killed or injured on our roads. Pedestrians are often much harder to see at this time of the year when daylight visibility can be poor and there are far more hours of darkness. In winter, fatality rates for pedestrians are double those of summer.
“Research conducted by the NRA in 1997 and 1998 shows a strong relationship between pedestrian accidents and the hours of daylight between 4pm and 10pm. It is estimated that 75 per cent fewer pedestrians are killed in the months of June and July, which have the highest levels of daylight compared with January and December which have virtually no daylight hours during this time. The bags are light, easy to fold up into a pocket when not in use and are a simple yet effective way of making pedestrians more visible to drivers.”
Active retirement groups are supporting the council by allowing the road safety team to hand out shopping bags at their meetings.
With the clocks going back later this month and the nights starting to draw in, the road safety team is also urging people to keep themselves safe on the roads by making sure motorists can see them. “We're urging drivers to play their part when the road conditions are slippy by taking special care and watching out for pedestrians,” said Mr Gibbons.
Age Action chief executive Robin Webster added: “We want to encourage all people to wear something bright and take extra care when out and about near roads and also to remind drivers to take extra care as well especially if driving near shops, churches or post offices.”
The advice for pedestrians is to be easily seen, especially at night, on dark days and in bad weather.
Bright or fluorescent clothes show up best by day, especially in dull or misty weather, but in the evenings, reflective material is best because it shows up in car headlights. Reflective tape can be put on clothing, bags and equipment.
Cyclists are reminded it is an offence to cycle at night without a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back, so all bikes need to be properly equipped and working.
