According to official police statistics, in 2019 793 pedestrians died on Polish roads and 6,361 people were injured. Most of the accidents took place in the fall and winter months when pedestrians are much less visible on the road due to the shorter and shorter daylight hours. That is why, since 2016, following the example of Scandinavia, Reflection Day has been organized throughout the country.
At first glance, road safety in our country is improving. The 30,288 accidents in 2019 are much less than in 2010 or a year later. Unfortunately, this is largely an apparent improvement in the situation, because on average more and more people are dying on the roads - the number of accidents is decreasing and the number of victims has remained at a similar level of about three thousand deaths per year for years. In all statistics on road safety, our country is doing worse than the average in the European Union. The Scandinavian countries are an example here. According to Eurostat data, in Norway and Sweden, there are about 20 road fatalities per million inhabitants. In Poland, this statistic looks almost four times worse - for every million inhabitants we have approx. 75 deaths in road accidents. Compared to other EU countries, we also deal very badly with securing the least protected road users, i.e. pedestrians.
Life-saving seconds
Organized in Poland since 2016 on October 1, Reflector Day is an idea initiated by the Norwegians - a nation that can be a model when it comes to road safety. In our country, the Police Headquarters is behind the initiative. The beginning of October is a symbolic beginning of the autumn-winter period on our roads, the worst period in terms of the number of accidents involving pedestrians when over 60% of all incidents occur. Most of them are caused by drivers who do not adjust their speed to road conditions and reduced visibility. A pedestrian suitably equipped with visible reflective elements gives the driver additional seconds to react. It is a time that often saves lives.
"In the autumn and winter season, the weather conditions change, the day becomes shorter and shorter, which causes poor visibility on the road. The driver notices a pedestrian later than usual, especially in dark clothes. The color of outerwear has an impact on the safety of pedestrians. On an unlit road, in dark jackets, we are hardly visible to drivers. The use of reflective elements increases the visibility of a pedestrian several times. Statistics clearly show that pedestrians victims of most accidents in 2020 did not have reflective elements installed. PursuanUnderovisions of the Road Traffic Act, pedestrians who walk on the road after dusk outside built-up areas are obliged to use reflective elements in a way that is visible to other road users," says Commissioner Robert Opas.
Twilight is the biggest enemy of pedestrians - police statistics show that between 4 and 7 p.m. 1/3 of all accidents involving pedestrians occur. In the morning, although children go to school and adults go to workplaces, the number of accidents is marginal - this is due to our climate and the fact that it gets light relatively early. After the European Union has planned to abolish the switch to winter time in 2022, the road to school will often take place before sunrise. That is why Reflective Day is such an important initiative, the aim of which is to sensitize pedestrians to the importance of ensuring good visibility on the road.
What fine for no glare?
The color of outerwear has an impact on the safety of pedestrians. On an unlit road, in a dark jacket, a pedestrian is hardly visible to the car driver. The use of reflective elements increases the visibility of a pedestrian several times. A pedestrian wearing a dark suit is seen by the vehicle driver from a distance of about 40 meters. A person wearing reflective elements becomes visible even from a distance of 150 meters.
Every person walking on the road after dusk outside built-up areas is obliged to use reflective elements. Persons moving along the pavement or in the residential area after dusk are exempt from this order.
The legislator does not specify how the required reflective elements should look like. Among the self-tightening bands or hangers, reflective vests, or small reflective elements of the outfit available on the market, a pedestrian can choose those in which he will feel good and will significantly improve his visibility.
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