Why Hi Vis Clothing Matters
As the days get shorter and darker in autumn and winter, it becomes more important to be visible on the road, especially if you are walking or cycling in rural areas. Wearing reflective armbands, high-visibility belts or vests and other reflective or fluorescent clothing will help you to be seen from a distance, especially at night. This can reduce the risk of being involved in a collision with a vehicle and save your life.
According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), pedestrians and cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users in Ireland. In 2022, there were 41 pedestrians and 9 cyclists killed on Irish roads, accounting for 23% of all road fatalities. In addition, there were 1,029 pedestrians and 1,014 cyclists injured in collisions with vehicles. Many of these collisions could have been prevented if the pedestrians and cyclists were more visible to the drivers.
A study by the RSA found that wearing high-visibility clothing can increase the visibility of pedestrians by up to four times and cyclists by up to six times. The study also found that drivers can detect pedestrians wearing high-visibility clothing from a distance of 500 metres, compared to only 150 metres for those wearing dark clothing. Similarly, cyclists wearing high-visibility clothing can be detected from a distance of 400 metres, compared to only 100 metres for those wearing dark clothing.
How to Get Free Hi Vis Clothing
The good news is that you can get free hi vis clothing from the RSA and other sources in Ireland. The RSA offers a wide range of road safety material that you can order online for your school, third-level institution, business or community group, including leaflets, booklets, posters and high-visibility materials such as vests, belts and armbands. You can use their online ordering portal to request the items you need. Some restrictions apply to the number of road safety items you can order, so make sure to read their Road Safety Materials Distribution Policy 2022 before ordering.
You can also get free hi vis clothing from other organisations that promote road safety, such as local authorities, GardaÃ, cycling clubs, sports clubs and charities. You can check their websites or social media pages for information on how to avail of their offers.
How to Help Our Drivers See You
At TFI Local Link Galway, we care about your safety and comfort when you travel with us. Our drivers are trained and responsible for our passengers’ safety, but they also need your help to see you clearly when you walk to the bus stop or hail them on the road. That’s why we highly recommend and appreciate that you wear hi vis clothing when you use our services, especially in rural areas where there may not be street lights or footpaths.
By wearing hi vis clothing, you can help our drivers to spot you from a distance and avoid any potential collisions. You can also make sure that they don’t miss you when you want to board or alight from our buses. This way, you can enjoy a safe and pleasant journey with us every time.
Conclusion
Hi vis clothing is a simple and effective way to be safe and seen on the road, especially during the autumn and winter months when the days are shorter and darker. You can get free hi vis clothing from the RSA and other sources in Ireland, and you can help our drivers at TFI Local Link Galway to see you clearly when you walk or cycle to our bus stops. By wearing hi vis clothing, you can reduce the risk of being involved in a collision with a vehicle and save your life.
We hope you found this blog post useful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us through our website or social media channels. Thank you for choosing TFI Local Link Galway as your transport provider.