CSDD: Most Latvians overestimate how far away a pedestrian without a reflector can be seen in the dark
In a survey by Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), 80% of residents said a dark-clothed pedestrian without a reflector is noticed from no more than 50 metres, though in reality it may be only 25–40 metres. The agency's “Nāvīgi stilīgi” campaign urges people to use reflective elements.
The Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), the Latvian body responsible for road safety, has released survey results as part of its “Nāvīgi stilīgi” campaign for the dark season of the year. They show that 80% of residents believe a driver notices a dark-clothed pedestrian without a reflector at no more than 50 metres. In practice, such a pedestrian may be visible only from 25–40 metres, so the risk of an accident without reflective elements is high.
How much time a driver has
At 90 km/h, a car covers 25–40 metres in 1–1.6 seconds. In that time a driver cannot bring the vehicle to a full stop. A pedestrian wearing a reflective vest, by contrast, can be noticed at about 140 metres in low-beam light and as far as 400 metres in high-beam light.
In the survey, 62% of respondents said a pedestrian without a reflector can be seen up to 25 metres away, and 18% said 26 to 50 metres.
Reflectors used less in Riga
60% of rural residents always or mostly use a reflector, compared with 29% of those surveyed in Riga. Among Riga residents, 39% cited moving around well-lit areas as the reason for not using one. CSDD safety expert Oskars Irbītis said that over the past five years, 20 pedestrians have died in the dark in Riga and the Pierīga area around it. He also cited a recent incident in Mārupe municipality, where a car fatally struck a pedestrian without reflective elements, after which another car crashed into the rear of the first; both drivers were injured.
Recommendations
CSDD urges pedestrians to place reflectors where they are clearly visible, preferably on the roadway side, and not to cover them with clothing or a bag. Cyclists and electric scooter riders should also ensure their vehicles are properly lit. Drivers should choose a speed suited to visibility, and keep a reflective vest within reach in the cabin, since a driver who steps out becomes a pedestrian too. The campaign is organised by CSDD with the State Police and partners: insurer BALTA, fuel retailer Virši and retail chain Narvesen.
