This is part two of our visibility special. As a follow-up to yesterday’s article, we’re presenting some thought-provoking facts provided by the folks at 3M, along with an explanation of what they are doing to help us be more visible, and therefore safer, when out walking, running, or riding.
– Brian
Fact #1: Each year, nearly 5,000 pedestrians -or one every 109 minutes -are killed in traffic crashes and 71,000 -or one every seven minutes -are injured in traffic crashes. Of the total accidents and injuries, 65 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.*
Those are some pretty grim figures, and would make a great sales pitch for joining a gym. But for those of us that prefer to exercise outdoors, we need to turn the odds in our favor.
*Source: 2005 SGMA -Sports Participation Top Line Report U.S. Activities Participation and National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NSCA)
Fact #2: Drivers moving at just 30 mph could travel a distance over 500 feet before they are able to properly maneuver their cars in response to an obstacle; yet a pedestrian wearing a white shirt may not be visible to drivers until they are within 300 feet* of the car.
Even if that‘s a worst-case scenario, the point is that you want to be clearly visible to motorists from as far away as possible, giving them time to see you and react accordingly. This applies to cyclists as well as pedestrians.
*Source: National Safety Council, Walk Alert National Pedestrian Safety Program, FHWA RD 89-022, 1989 Program Guide (NSD, 1989)
So what‘s the solution? Well, one option that we covered earlier this year is the 360° Enhanced Visibility program from 3M. It‘s worth revisiting as we head into fall, because it’s getting darker earlier, which means we’re out in less than ideal circumstances even more. This program provides increased visibility to the wearer in low-light conditions because it requires that 3M™Scotchlite™Reflective Material be visible on all sides of the garment or footwear in specific areas and amounts. It‘s not a matter of a few accent stripes or patches – 3M specifies exactly how many square inches of Scotchlite™must be applied to the front, back and sides of each garment, hat, or shoe, in order to be certified as providing 360° of visibility.
In the photo to the right, you can see that there is reflective material along the zipper, across the chest, and on the upper arms. Extensive studies have proven that whether walking or running, the natural movement of the body lends both shape and action to the reflective image seen by motorists. Would you rather that car coming at you see an indistinct, low-reflective mass in a white shirt, or bright, animated lines suggesting a human shape? Put more bluntly, would you rather be fit and healthy, or just another statistic?
While this article may seem like an advertisement for 3M, it‘s not. It‘s an endorsement for safety. If there‘s another brand that provides this much visibility to keep you safe, then wear it. Tell us about it, and we‘ll share it too. Either way, be safe, be seen.