Two thirds of all accidents on the way to school happen during the dark hours and at dawn

Of course you know that at dawn vehicle operators cannot see you walking down the road as clearly as in broad daylight. You also know that your vision diminishes in the darker hours. The risk of accidents increases enormously, because of the late perception. Due to their size, children are particularly exposed as they are harder to discover.
In the afternoon the accident risk increases with the beginning of dawn. To prevent potential accidents, you can make yourself and your children much more visible with the following devices:

In 2003, 67% of all accidents on the way to school of children between the ages of 6 and 14 happened in the early morning hours of the dark season - in the months between October and March.

In the afternoon the accident risk increases with the beginning of dawn. To prevent potential accidents, you can make yourself and your children much more visible with the following devices:

Only pedestrians wearing light-colored clothing are visible

• It is important to wear light-colored clothing! Children wearing dark-colored clothing cannot be seen from a distance of 25 or 30 meters, children wearing light-colored clothing from a distance of 40 to 50 meters.
• It is even better to work reflective material into your kids’ clothing, e.g. hat and shoes. The material reflects light and is invisible during daylight. But when it is dark the material can save your life! Vehicle operators are able to discover kids wearing reflectors from a distance of 130 to 160 meters – approximately three times earlier than without reflective material.
• Some manufacturers directly sew reflective stripes on children’s clothing. But it is also possible to buy reflective foil for sewing or pasting.
• “Blinkis” (reflective lights) are available at specialty stores to be attached to backpacks and school bags.
• Children should walk against the oncoming traffic on streets without sidewalks. Eye contact increases the probability of being perceived by the vehicle operator.

Parking light at the bike should become mandatory

Children riding a bicycle also have to protect themselves. Light-colored reflective clothing is necessary as well. But it is not enough, because drivers can easily overlook bikes and run over the child with the bike. Therefore it is mandatory in Germany to additionally equip your bike with lights and reflectors.

The bike has to be equipped with a white head light, a white reflector in the front, a red rear light, a rear reflector in the back, rear reflectors at the pedals, and reflectors at the spokes. Presumably by the end of 2005, new regulations should be in force. You should absolutely observe them. Thereafter, only bikes with parking lights and 12 Volt-lighting equipment will be allowed on German roads. The parking light guarantees that you and your children stay visible, e.g. at traffic lights or at the dangerous left turn. Enhancing your bike is worthwhile in any case! Please wear light-colored clothing and a helmet with reflectors when you cycle!

Proper maintenance of your car protects children

Children are expected to protect themselves from traffic. But they also have to be protected by the prudence of other road users as children are the weaker links at all. Car drivers have to behave very attentively and considerately! You can also clearly reduce the risk of accidents if you observe the following rules:

• A dirty windshield covered with scratches increases the glaring effect of the head lights of oncoming cars and impairs your sight. Therefore you should pay attention to clean windshields without scratches.

Tip: Have you taken out a full-coverage insurance? Most insurance companies pay for the repair of the windshield, damaged by falling rocks, once a year. Ask your insurance company!

• Please turn off your bright lights in time to make sure that they do not blind oncoming traffic and that they are able to perceive pedestrians in time.
• Your car’s headlights should be in the right position so that your field of vision is not narrowed down.
• Please take off your sun glasses at dawn. Shaded glasses absorb 10 to 15% of the already low amount of light.