Going for walks in hi vis jackets

realdanbreen · 12-02-2019 11:56AM

Deebles McBeebles wrote: »

No, the flashing lights and stripey bit of road should be enough for drivers who are able to keep their eyes on the road. Pedestrians do have the right of way at pedestrian crossings, no matter how many idiots you see ploughing through them at 30 while updating FB.

I think you might need to brush up on what is required of the pedestrian when they reach the 'stripey bit of road' hi- vis or no hi-vis !

Deebles McBeebles · 12-02-2019 11:57AM

realdanbreen wrote: »

I think you might need to brush up on what is required of the pedestrian when they reach the 'stripey bit of road' hi- vis or no hi-vis !

I'm well aware. I seem to be in the minority though.

meeeeh · 12-02-2019 12:02PM

Deebles McBeebles wrote: »

Even if they are, only one group is behind the wheel of a tonne of metal and fuel.

So if they get killed or seriously injured while walking like a zombie looking at the screen they will have the satisfaction of knowing they didn't do it in the car.

Once you are on the road you should behave responsibly regardless of what mode of transport if any you are using.

blue note · 12-02-2019 12:02PM

To be specific, I was running in Portmarnock. If someone is walking on a road without a footpath and / or not lit up they are not concerned about safety. There's hardly a road there without both lights and a footpath. And even for crossing the road - it's only really in housing estates and the like (the roads that aren't at all busy) that don't have traffic lights.

Regarding people wearing high vis jackets while cycling, walking on roads, etc... If course they should light themselves up. But that's s not what I'm talking about.

And sorry for those looking for steam coming out of ears fury - I'm just curious as to what they are thinking when throwing on the high biz jackets. I'm wondering too if I'm missing something and should indeed be wearing one myself. But when I run I stay on the footpath and the cars stay on the road, I look both ways before crossing, I haven't encountered problems with bikes on footpaths. I just don't see what good a high vis jacket would do me.

valoren · 12-02-2019 12:11PM

NIMAN wrote: »

One worrying thing I have noticed on more than one occasion is this:

On our main roads here, there is often a large section to the left side of the lane, call it a hard shoulder if you want, but its not an official hard shoulder. I often see cars using it to drive into if the car if front is taking a right turn, which would probably be fine during the daylight hours.

However, often when I'm driving on these roads at night, you'd pass walkers using this area. But they are practically invisible as they are dressed in dark clothes. Now imagine you are walking in this area and a driver decides to use it to undertake at 50mph!!

Doesn't bear thinking about.

And they are also walking with the direction of the traffic, meaning if a driver did the inside hard shoulder undertake you mentioned, the walker wouldn't even see it coming. At least if they were walking against the traffic and were paying attention they might have that split second to get out of the way.

Tchaikovsky · 12-02-2019 12:13PM

Dogs wearing hi-viz jackets are the best.

realdanbreen · 12-02-2019 12:27PM

Deebles McBeebles wrote: »

I'm well aware. I seem to be in the minority though.

Not so sure about that. You've already said that you don't wait for the traffic to stop you just plough straight ahead!
Anyway best of luck and maybe keep to the footpaths and avoid crossing the street.

Amirani · 12-02-2019 12:39PM

oLoonatic wrote: »

You can get them for free on the RSA website delivered to your house, there is no excuse. It particularly irks me when cyclists dont have any hi vis on at night. ( I cycle to and from work myself)

They have limited efficacy. Cyclists should be using good lights, with suitable luminosity, outside of daylight hours. This negates the need for high viz that can often be obstructed and just isn't really safe enough.

Deebles McBeebles · 12-02-2019 12:39PM

realdanbreen wrote: »

Not so sure about that. You've already said that you don't wait for the traffic to stop you just plough straight ahead!
Anyway best of luck and maybe keep to the footpaths and avoid crossing the street.

I did not say any of that though. You should go back and read was written and not jump to conclusions.

meeeeh · 12-02-2019 12:45PM

Amirani wrote: »

They have limited efficacy. Cyclists should be using good lights, with suitable luminosity, outside of daylight hours. This negates the need for high viz that can often be obstructed and just isn't really safe enough.

There is no should, they have to use the lights or they shouldn't be on the road. How anyone thinks it's acceptable to drive or cycle on the road without lights on in the dark is beyond me. That involves cars with one working light and similar. It's reckless.

I think hi vis more important in fog. I don't think there is that much heavy fog in Ireland but that's when it makes a difference. I remember we were given cat eyes or whatever they are called as kids to walk to the school 30 years ago to be more visible in the dark and hi vis scarves for fog (another country).

Agricola · 12-02-2019 12:48PM

I live in the sticks and you would struggle to see anyone out walking without a hi-viz vest. Whether it be fitness fanatics or just Mrs Murphy heading to the local shop. Its a great thing. There's no where to go on rural regional roads if a pedestrian appears out of nowhere because they are in dark clothes, especially in the winter.

Gravelly · 12-02-2019 12:51PM

Wonder if you're one of those lads and ladies I meet early in the morning and in the evening with no car lights on because "shure can't I see where I'm going?"

whisky_galore · 12-02-2019 12:53PM

Amirani wrote: »

They have limited efficacy. Cyclists should be using good lights, with suitable luminosity, outside of daylight hours. This negates the need for high viz that can often be obstructed and just isn't really safe enough.

Every little helps, wearing a little light vest won't kill you.

meeeeh · 12-02-2019 12:56PM

Gravelly wrote: »

Wonder if you're one of those lads and ladies I meet early in the morning and in the evening with no car lights on because "shure can't I see where I'm going?"

Anyone who drove in the dark on a country road will tell you reflective strips make a huge difference. You notice them before the torch if you are traveling in the same direction as them. Very handy on narrow roads. If you don't have lights on no hi vis will make any difference.

Amirani · 12-02-2019 12:59PM

whisky_galore wrote: »

Every little helps, wearing a little light vest won't kill you.

Either will wearing a load of flashing fairy lights.

Suitable bicycle lights, with good luminosity, are sufficient for safe cycling. High viz offers no extra protection on top of these in darkness.

whisky_galore · 12-02-2019 01:05PM

Amirani wrote: »

Either will wearing a load of flashing fairy lights.

Suitable bicycle lights, with good luminosity, are sufficient for safe cycling. High viz offers no extra protection on top of these in darkness.

Fashion victim who doesn't like being seen in one methinks.

MY BAD · 12-02-2019 01:09PM

Amirani wrote: »

They have limited efficacy. Cyclists should be using good lights, with suitable luminosity, outside of daylight hours. This negates the need for high viz that can often be obstructed and just isn't really safe enough.

Every little helps all the same. It's amazing the difference high visibility clothing has in dusk along with good lights, even in areas with good street lighting. The same goes with reflective clothing in the dark. I'm aware of studies that cyclists wearing hi viz are more likely to be in a accident too but I like to give myself every chance of avoiding an accident or death. The amount of cyclist in dark clothing with poor lighting is staggering. You are putting yourself in a very vulnerable position. I run on the roads six days a week and while I might have a right of way I have to assume everyone is a bad driver so I don't take unnecessary chances. I know in a ideal world this shouldn't be the case but no point been dead right.

meeeeh · 12-02-2019 01:10PM

Amirani wrote: »

Either will wearing a load of flashing fairy lights.

Suitable bicycle lights, with good luminosity, are sufficient for safe cycling. High viz offers no extra protection on top of these in darkness.

I often notice reflecive strips first on cyclists in the dark and only then the red back lights. Maybe they are using lights that are not fit for purpose but hi viz does offer some extra protection. I'm not pushing for hi viz at all times and everywhere after all I don't wear it myself during the day but you can't claim reflective strips don't make you more visible.

branie2 · 12-02-2019 01:11PM

It's very safe to do

Tchaikovsky · 12-02-2019 01:37PM

Gravelly wrote: »

Wonder if you're one of those lads and ladies I meet early in the morning and in the evening with no car lights on because "shure can't I see where I'm going?"

Shur if you can't see the moon, there's no need for headlights!

mad muffin · 12-02-2019 02:15PM

Candles taste like burning.

magicbastarder · 12-02-2019 02:22PM

Mellow Yellow 26.2 wrote: »

I'm aware of studies that cyclists wearing hi viz are more likely to be in a accident too but I like to give myself every chance of avoiding an accident or death.

that doesn't compute. you're aware of a link (whether causal or casual) between wearing hi-vis and an increased chance of accidents, but choose to wear hi-vis as you think it makes you safer?
though if you have a link to the studies, i'd be genuinely interested.

FWIW, my experience is that decent lights will trump a hi-vis jacket any day (or night) of the week. especially in urban/suburban traffic where dipped headlights often won't illuminate the jacket adequately.

sbsquarepants · 12-02-2019 02:22PM

I'm all for it. I was driving home from work the other evening and pulled out to go around a cyclist only at that stage did I see the fúcking ninja, literally head to toe in black walking on the opposite side of the road - I'd say I came about 1 foot from killing him, fúcking numpty!

Gave me such a fright I actually though about going back and driving over him in revenge:D

Billgirlylegs · 12-02-2019 02:25PM

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

Perhaps they had been walking from an area that was rural and not well lit to the town or vice versa. Walkers in hi-vis is a good thing.

Speaking entirely from my own experience, Hi -Vis / No Hi Vis makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.
Studies suggest that movement / flashing is best to alert others to your presence. I have reflective armbands on my arms wrists.

People (ie cyclists/motorists) can see me but significant numbers ignore me at places like - minor road junctions with major road, exits from private property, pedestrian traffic lights - and suchlike.

This happens in broad daylight, murky misty conditions and at night.

It's not a visibility issue.
It's a no bloody competence / knowledge of how to use the road issue.

ArchXStanton · 12-02-2019 02:31PM

Back roads of were I live is full of oul ones in hi vizs in full march, usually they carry a little stick to fend off a dog attack

Billgirlylegs · 12-02-2019 02:34PM

topper75 wrote: »

I work near a college campus.

Large amount of bozos cycling around with no lights on winter evenings and people wearing dark clothes in unlit areas.

Younger folk who don't yet drive have some sort of crazy "I see the car so the driver must be able to see me" mentality.

Yes, that is the principle of driving /cycling.
You keep your eyes peeled for obstacles, you must have lights and do please try your best not to hit things.
As opposed to hoping they get out of your way.

MY BAD · 12-02-2019 02:35PM

magicbastarder wrote: »

that doesn't compute. you're aware of a link (whether causal or casual) between wearing hi-vis and an increased chance of accidents, but choose to wear hi-vis as you think it makes you safer?
though if you have a link to the studies, i'd be genuinely interested.

FWIW, my experience is that decent lights will trump a hi-vis jacket any day (or night) of the week. especially in urban/suburban traffic where dipped headlights often won't illuminate the jacket adequately.

I don't have a link it was posted here a while ago in one of those anti cyclist threads. I think the jist of it was that people who wear think they are safer so take more risks, then end up in more accidents. A hi viz won't make you safer, it's not a sheild that makes you invincible but it will make you more visable. Give yourself every chance to be seen, a split second might save your life.

sbsquarepants · 12-02-2019 02:35PM

ArchXStanton wrote: »

Back roads of were I live is full of oul ones in hi vizs in full march, usually they carry a little stick to fend off a dog attack

Same my way - I think they've been radicalised, has a definite whiff of a paramilitary milfs brigade off it!

Deebles McBeebles · 12-02-2019 02:40PM

ArchXStanton wrote: »

Back roads of were I live is full of oul ones in hi vizs in full march, usually they carry a little stick to fend off a dog attack

Or culchie attack.

ImARebel · 12-02-2019 02:40PM

oLoonatic wrote: »

You can get them for free on the RSA website delivered to your house, there is no excuse. It particularly irks me when cyclists dont have any hi vis on at night. ( I cycle to and from work myself)

Thanks so much for the tip. Ordered high bid for ourselves and the kids

Street lighting is very dull where we are. Good to have theae

Going for walks in hi vis jackets

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