Keeping our children safe on dark roads this winter            

Following the clocks going back on Sunday 29 October, Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), Peter McCall, is urging parents to keep themselves and their children visible when they are near and on the roads this winter.

Many of Cumbria’s rural roads do not have streetlights, reducing the visibility for drivers and pedestrians. It can be difficult for drivers to spot other road users when driving on dark roads, which increases the chance of an accident. Everyone can make themselves more visible and safer at night by:

• Wearing bright, fluorescent and/or reflective clothing.
• Finding a safe place to cross the road – avoid hillcrests, bends in the roads or from between parked cars.
• Having lights and reflectors on all bikes.
• Avoiding distractions – do not walk whilst looking at your phone on a busy road.
• Keeping to pavements, where possible, and always give passing cars a wide berth.
• Never assuming a driver has seen you.

Speaking on road safety, PFCC Peter McCall, said: “As winter approaches and the nights are getting longer, many of us will still be out and about near our roadsides.

“We live in a very rural county, which has many benefits, but some of our roads have no streetlighting which means it is the responsibility of the driver and pedestrians to be as visible as possible.

“I would urge anyone using our roads at night, especially those with children, to ensure that they do everything they can to make themselves as visible as possible to oncoming traffic.

“We want everyone to enjoy their nights and get home as safely as possible, so by following these tips we can help keep everyone safe.

“I would also urge drivers to be extra vigilant when out and about and not get distracted when driving – together we can make Cumbria a safer place to live.”

Inspector Jack Stabler said: “The darker nights can bring increased risk, particularly to pedestrians and cyclists on and around the road network.

“Take a look at yourself and your family and ask how visible you are to drivers and whether you are doing all you can to stay safe, including always finding the safest place to cross the road, such as zebra and pedestrian crossings.

“If we all take a little extra care, we can significantly reduce the potential for tragedy on our roads this winter.”

In an emergency call the Police on 999

For non-emergency enquiries call 101 or contact www.cumbria.police.uk or call 101