Police warning to pedestrians and cyclists as darker evenings set in

As drivers take more journeys during the hours of darkness, walkers, runners, dog walkers and pedal cyclists of all ages are being asked to take a moment to think about what they are wearing.

While any light or bright clothing increases visibility to drivers, reflective items - including strips and tags - are the most effective way to be seen.

These items are inexpensive and can be easily attached to school bags, jackets, shopping trolleys or even mobility aids used by older people.

The advice comes as part of Operation Dark Night - a nationwide educational campaign timed to coincide with the clocks going back and the evenings drawing in.

Heidi Duffy MBE, Nottinghamshire Police Traffic Management Officer said: "Travelling at night or in hours of darkness brings additional risks to drivers, pedal cyclists and pedestrians alike.

"That's why it's so important as a pedestrian and cyclist to maximise your chances of being seen by wearing brighter items of clothing or, ideally, some kind of reflective material to improve your conspicuity to other road users.

"This is particularly important for children and older people, who are especially vulnerable to death or serious injury as a result of collisions.

"There are a wide range of relatively inexpensive reflective items available in shops or online, including strips and patches that can easily be applied to bags or clothing.

"Other items, such as running jackets, can be purchased with reflective pigments embedded in them, so I encourage potential buyers to look out for that functionality when making purchasing decisions."

Over the last two years, dark clothing has been deemed a contributing factor in many fatal or serious injury collisions involving pedestrians and cyclists in Nottinghamshire.

Nearly all of these occurred in 30mph limit areas where drivers feel most comfortable and familiar with their local area