With the change of time, accidents involving two wheels and nails increase. Road safety alert and associations.
Every year, the time change causes an increase in the number of accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles: they are surprised by the advance of night and have not yet carried out maintenance on the lighting system.
However, cyclists are already paying a heavy price in terms of road fatalities. The bicycle is one of the modes of transport that records the highest increase in mortality in 2021 compared to 2019 (+21%). In 2021, 227 cyclists died.
For peaks, it’s hardly better. The number of accidents involving a pedestrian increases recurringly by 42% in November, compared to October (ONISR data collected between 2015 and 2019). Road Safety is therefore alert.
In a car’s headlights, other users are visible just 20 meters away when they’re dressed in black, he warns. However, at 50 km/h, a car needs at least 25 meters to stop on dry ground (38 meters on wet ground). With reflective accessories, they are visible up to 150 meters away.
Different rules
or advice to adopt
Road Safety encourages the use of light colored clothing and the choice of reflective devices (vest, armband, gloves, stripes on rucksack, satchel, etc.). The simple fact of having a reflective accessory with you allows you to be seen sooner. Bicycles must be equipped with red reflectors at the rear, orange at the level of the pedals, visible from the side, and a white light at the front and red at the rear.
At night or when visibility is insufficient, high visibility jackets (yellow, orange, green) are mandatory outside built-up areas.
Scooter
also worries
Scooters must be equipped with a white light in front, another red light in back, rear and side reflectors.
Wearing a reflective vest is mandatory at night or during the day when visibility is insufficient.
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Awareness needs to be raised
The phenomenon of time changes and the increase in accidents is well known to cycling associations.
We see it every year, explains Sarah Brque, of the Poitevine Vlocit86 association. Low-gloss or low-gloss cyclists even if the situation improves with electric bikes that have full equipment.
Even if there may be a financial problem to equip yourself well, or even a problem of access to repair sites, the problem is above all being aware of the risks. Many cyclists are unaware of the danger, especially in cities with public lighting. We have the impression of seeing well but we don’t realize the vision that the motorist has. We need to raise awareness among both cyclists and motorists.
In the coming weeks, Vlocit 86 and Grand Poitiers will carry out awareness actions.
