People living in Perth and Kinross are being advised to adhere to some road safety advice.
As winter sets in and road conditions worsen and the weather becomes more unpredictable, drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians are being asked to follow some simple guidance to help keep people safe.
Information from this month’s Perth and Kinross Local Area Commanders Bulletin, is advising drivers to:
- Ensure your car is winter ready – are your tyres, brakes, windscreens, wiper blades and windows free from defects and clean?
- Drive to the road conditions. Be aware that road conditions can change without warning and remember that the weather will affect stopping distances.
- When the roads are icy, drive at a slow speed in as high a gear as possible, and accelerate and brake very gently.
- Driving can be challenging in winter conditions. Driving distracted (by using mobile phones or devices) can cause additional stress and endangers yourself, your passengers and other road users.
Cyclists are being advised to:
- Ensure that you and your bike are visible to other road users by using a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back). Wear clothes that help you be seen on your bike, such as bright and light reflective items.
- Obey road signs and markings, particularly red lights. Do not cycle on the pavements, which may be slippery and can also endanger pedestrians.
- Be mindful of the effects poor weather can have on other road users and be alert to possible dangers around about you. Cars can take twice as long to stop in wet weather and braking can be unpredictable in ice and snow.
The advice being given to pedestrians is:
- Dress appropriately for the weather. Consider wearing reflective or bright-coloured clothing so other road users are able to see you when it’s dark or visibility is poor.
- If walking home, particularly late at night, make sure someone knows when you are expected to arrive at your destination.
- Take extra care when crossing the road. Vehicles can take up to ten times longer to stop on slippery road surfaces. If possible, stick to pedestrian crossings. If there are no crossings nearby, find a place with a clear view and wait for long gaps in the traffic.
- Be careful when stepping out between parked vehicles and never cross behind a bus. If a clear place can’t be found and you cross between parked vehicles, make sure there are no drivers in them in case they suddenly pull out or reverse.
- If there is no pavement, walk in single file and keep to the right-hand side of the road so you can see oncoming traffic.
To read the full commanders bulletin, which includes updates and recent incidents, visit the Perth and Kinross Council website.