Advice to “look out for each other” on Devon’s roads

As British Summer Time ends and the clocks go back on Sunday 27 October, Devon County Council are reminding all road users to take extra care over the autumn and winter months.

With fewer daylight hours and visibility often affected by poor weather conditions, everyone is being encouraged to “look out for one another” on Devon’s roads.

Drivers are asked to look out for more vulnerable road users and to give them plenty of time and space.

Cyclists, motorcyclists, and horse riders are all encouraged to “be bright, be seen”, by wearing reflective and fluorescent clothing to ensure they can be seen clearly. Pedestrians walking in areas where it is dark r where there are no footways are also encouraged to wear clothing that will make them more visible.

To help provide Devon primary schoolchildren with the knowledge and confidence to stay safe when walking to school, the Council recently launched their free Walkability (Child Pedestrian Training) course.

The training for Devon schoolchildren in years three to six, is funded by Vision Zero South West road safety partnership and delivered by Active Devon on our behalf.

Schools interested in the two-hour training course can find out more on Active Devon’s website.

Our advice to all road users is:

• Pedestrians should use marked crossing points where possible. Although they may have right of way over traffic on a zebra or light controlled crossing they are still responsible for ensuring that they don’t step out onto the crossing until vehicles have stopped for them;
• Cyclists must use a white front light, a red back light and a red reflector at the back;
• Horse riders are advised to select crossing points very carefully and are asked to show courtesy to drivers who have slowed down for them;
• Motorists should overtake only when it is safe to do so, and drivers should pass slowly and allow plenty of room when overtaking;
• All road users should look out for each other and take care, particularly in wet or icy conditions or if there are leaves on the road.

For more information about travelling on Devon’s roads this winter visit our winter webpages and the Travel Devon website.