Spring forward safely: stay seen with reflective belt, clothing

It’s that time of the year again. Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday.

This shift in time moves one hour of daylight from the evening into the morning hours. Many of you will now be travelling to work during the hours of darkness, which increases the risk for people driving, as well as for people walking or jogging.

It’s important for drivers to pay special attention to the path ahead and expect the unexpected. Pedestrians and joggers need to assess the risk as well and have situational awareness of their surroundings.

A brief look at data from the Air Force Safety Center database indicated there had been 135 reportable pedestrian mishaps over the past six years. The other services have reported similar numbers for pedestrian versus motor vehicle mishaps.

The city of San Antonio reported 54 pedestrian fatalities last year. The state of Texas averages 350 to 400 pedestrian fatalities per year. The pedestrian mishap may not get the same attention as a vehicle crashing into another vehicle but the end result is the same – serious injury or death.

The Joint Base San Antonio community has recently had several individuals struck by a vehicle while jogging or crossing a street and though none resulted in serious injuries, the results could have easily been much worse.

There have also been a number of near misses reported as well. In all cases, the individuals struck by vehicles were wearing dark clothing during times of limited visibility. None were wearing a reflective belt or reflective clothing which would have made the individuals visible to the vehicle operators.

Pedestrians do have the right of way in crosswalks in the state of Texas; however, many times vehicle operators may not always be paying attention to the pedestrian. It is critical that pedestrians also take responsibility for their own safety by ensuring the crosswalk is safe to enter and wearing material to ensure they are as visible as possible. 

On all JBSA locations, pedestrians and joggers should be familiar with reflective equipment requirements for ensuring their safety during the hours of decreased visibility.

Pedestrians should use paths or sidewalks along roadways, walk facing oncoming traffic when paths or sidewalks are not available and wear reflective outer garments during periods of darkness or reduced visibility, according to Department of Defense Instruction 6055.4, DOD Traffic Safety Program, which is applicable to all services.

The instruction also requires the use of applicable fluorescent or reflective personal protective equipment by all DOD personnel exposed to traffic hazards as part of their assigned duties, such as marching troops, police, firefighters, emergency medical services, road construction crews, electricians or telephone repair personnel working on outside overhead lines.

Each of the military services also has specific guidance related to pedestrian safety and the wear of reflective materials during limited hours of visibility which closely parallels DODI 6055.4 guidance.

According to Army Regulation 310-85, personnel running and not in formation are required to wear a reflective outer garment and or equipment during hours of limited visibility. The regulation further states that fluorescent or reflective PPE will be provided to and used by all personnel who are exposed to traffic hazards as part of their assigned duties; for example, marching, running, and jogging troops (not in formation).

In Air Force Instruction 91-207, the rules for individuals jogging, running or walking on roadways at night or in inclement weather (e.g., fog, rain, sleet, snow, etc.) is to wear clothing/accessories containing retro-reflective properties visible from the front and back. All individuals who are exposed to traffic hazards as part of their assigned duties shall wear a highly visible outer garment during the day and outer garment containing retro-reflective material at night.

Operational Navy Instruction 5100.12J stresses that at night or in periods of reduced visibility, personnel are encouraged to wear brightly colored, fluorescent or other reflective garments when running, jogging, walking or traveling near roadways.

The DOD and all individual service guidance also prohibit the use of portable headphones, earphones, cellular phones, iPods or other listening and entertaining devices (other than hearing aids) while walking, jogging, running, bicycling, skating or skateboarding on roadways. In accordance with service regulations, headsets and personal stereos are prohibited when wearing physical fitness uniforms at all times.

During the hours of darkness – whether as a result of the hour we moved forward on the clock or just during the regular hours of limited visibility – it is critical for pedestrians and joggers to wear clothing or accessories for ensuring you are as visible as possible to vehicle operators.