Almost every night, when I'm driving around town, I see pedestrians walking or jogging wearing very dark clothes. it's difficult to see them--especially if they are crossing the street at the same time you want to cross the street.

The city of Edmonton, Canada attempted to do something about this by starting an ad campaign (which they abandoned) asking pedestrians to wear reflective clothing.

The town of Greenburgh is embarked on a campaign to improve pedestrian safety. We are building more sidewalks around town this month--and will continue building more sidewalks around town in the future. We have started a task force to address motorcycle safety (a third meeting to plan a spring, 2017 initiative is planned for Wednesday night). We have placed digital speed boards around town.  Earlier, a blinking crossroads light was installed on E Hartsdale Ave.  the Automobile Club of New York is awarding Greenburgh their highest pedestrian safety award later this month -recognizing the town for our efforts to promote pedestrian safety.  We are one of only 3 communities in NYS that will receive this award.

Sadly, there have been pedestrian fatalities in the town over the years. Some have taken place in the evening hours.  Motorists need to be more careful and look out for pedestrians.  But - pedestrians should also be more careful.

What are your experiences? Have you almost missed hitting a pedestrian because you did not see them? Do you think the Edmonton effort to encourage pedestrians to wear lighter or more reflective clothing makes sense?  How would you improve what they started?

 

Regardless of what this says drivers CANNOT see people in dark clothing, especially at night. If we can’t see them how can we avoid them? 

 

 Edmonton Abandons Ad Campaign Asking Pedestrians to Wear Reflective Clothing

Link to Metro article

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmonton/2016/09/20/edmonton-abandons-pedestrian-safety-ad-campaign.html

PAUL FEINER

 

City abandons ad campaign asking pedestrians to wear reflective clothing | Metro News www.metronews.ca Ad was criticized for putting safety onus on pedestrians, not drivers.