Fancy, expensive, rare, or uniquely modified cars make heads turn, no doubt. Yes, some motorists bring on the bling, bells and whistles just to be seen when they’re on the road. Many would call this a function of vanity, and, to some extent, you could call it just that.
In terms of road safety, however, the need to be seen must be a priority among all motorists—not just for those who could afford the pricey attention-getters. Why? Because, to be seen by other motorists and road users is already half the battle towards safety in motoring.
Road visibility could potentially save 1.35 million people a year worldwide. As it stands, every 24 seconds, one person dies in a road accident. Globally, over 500 children under the age of 18 are killed on the road each day. Injuries as a result of traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among youths aged 15 to 29. More than half of the global road traffic deaths are among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. The grim facts from the United Nations’ Sustainable Transport Conference of 2021 go on: Between 20 and 50 million non-fatal injuries yearly are caused by road traffic crashes; the death rate from road crashes is over 3.5 times higher in low-income countries.
I myself have been witness to many road accidents where the involved parties didn’t see one another in time before the impact occurred. And I’m not talking solely about accidents between humans. Animals are run over because they abruptly dart out from nowhere, giving no time for drivers to react. I can’t stress this enough, any life that is gravely injured or meets its end so needlessly on the road, human or otherwise, is truly traumatizing, the ripple effect of this split-second event extends to so many other lives, and possibly across many generations. Six years ago, my 77-year-old aunt in Canada lost her life to a driver who dozed off behind the wheel. Until now, all of her loved ones, especially her daughters and son, mourn her loss.
See, be seen, and be sober. This is perhaps the most important message by the National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month campaign that’s being observed in the United States this July. Be visible on the road, especially at night. As a road user, I make it a point to be visible when walking (not wearing dark clothes when walking at night), biking (wearing lighted helmets, reflectorized vest, making sure the bicycle has headlights, taillights and side reflectors). When driving, my focus is not just on spotting pedestrians, cyclists and motorbikes, but also on being seen by other drivers (particularly large trucks), so I make sure all my lights are on or are working properly (headlights, turn signals, brake lights, park lights, hazard lights).
The United States observes the National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month in July for a reason. From July to October, most youths in the country are on vacation, so it comes as no surprise that the same period has historically been the deadliest months of the year for US drivers and pedestrians for the past 40 years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of the year’s four deadliest holiday weekends, three occur in summer, and the fatal crashes involve higher-than-average numbers of alcohol-impaired drivers.
We, in the Philippines, can observe our own unofficial roadside safety awareness campaign, especially since millions of Filipino school-age youths will also be on vacation in the coming weeks. So, expect a lot more young road users during this time. I do hope our schools prioritize road safety among their students. I remember my PE teacher in high school who hammered us with common-sense reminders on how to cross the road, how to approach a flooded street, how to stand on trains without losing balance, and other practical stuff that could be literal lifesavers.
One useful tip shared by the Pedestrian Safety Institute, an active proponent of the National Roadside Traffic Safety Awareness Month, is that pedestrians should carry a flashlight and wear reflective clothing at night. This would greatly increase their visibility on the road and help reduce the risk of accidents.
“If you must walk in busy roadside conditions: Walk on a sidewalk or path when one is available. If no sidewalk or path is available, walk on the shoulder, facing traffic, as far away from the traffic lane as you can get. Never assume a driver sees you; try to make eye contact. Drivers don’t see as well at night. So, if you must exit your vehicle, wear reflective materials or use a flashlight, ideally with a traffic/ safety wand, to alert other drivers to your presence,” writes Maglite, which supports the PSI campaign.
So, again, before you go out on the roads, apart from reminding yourself to lock your doors and bring your house keys, remind yourself also to stay visible at all times when you’re on the street.
