On the day of light - reflectors can save lives
2.11.2023
Translation: machine translated
We have long since slept through the extra hour, the literally dark side of winter time now has us firmly in its grip. Because it gets dark earlier and earlier, the risk of road accidents increases. High time to make yourself visible - everyone.
For me, the mother of all reflectors is undoubtedly the "Lüchzgi" or Chindsgi strip. With its reflective stripes on the front and back, the triangle-shaped light strip ensures that the child is more visible to all road users on the way to kindergarten. Our daughter has also had a Lüchzgi for a few months now. She diligently pulls it over her head every morning before she leaves the house.
Source: TCS
Consistently inconsistent
Many people could take a leaf out of our daughter's book when it comes to discipline. In a survey by the Touring Club Switzerland TCS, over 80 per cent consider good visibility in road traffic to be important to very important. In contrast, just under a quarter of those surveyed consistently adhere to this and use the appropriate equipment.
Source: TCS
This survey result shows how important the national "Day of Light", which is taking place for the 17th time this year, is. With this campaign, the TCS, together with the police and other organisations, draws attention to the increased risk of accidents during the darker months of the year. According to federal accident statistics, September, October, November and December are four of the five most accident-prone months of the year.
People who are out and about early in the morning or in the evening during the winter months - whether on foot, by bike or on a scooter - are particularly at risk. Wearing reflective clothing can go a long way towards significantly reducing the risk of accidents.
Source: TCS
Fiat lux - let there be light
Being visible as a pedestrian or jogger is no longer difficult. Whether it's reflective clothing and accessories or headlamps, the choice is huge and the possibilities are endless.
Veloists put on a helmet with front and rear lights, which, depending on the model, can also be used to indicate.
The dog walker is also catered for: I recently observed a walking festival light on the footpath and cycle path from a moving bus early in the morning. It was someone walking his dog. With a luminous waistcoat, luminous collar and illuminated lead. Fantastic.
Bring light into the dark
No matter how large and varied the selection may be, all reflectors and other light sources are useless if we don't wear them. And we have some catching up to do in this respect, as the TCS survey shows. I'm not exempting myself from this, but rather looking at my own nose ... I'll have to go down to the cellar and find my old "LüGa", the Swiss military's light-up gaiter.
With this in mind: Let's show ourselves. So that we can be seen. Even when it's dark.
Cover photo: TCS
I'm a full-blooded dad and husband, part-time nerd and chicken farmer, cat tamer and animal lover. I would like to know everything and yet I know nothing. I know even less, but I learn something new every day. What I am good at is dealing with words, spoken and written. And I get to prove that here.