How to Be Visible While Walking in the Rain

Pedestrians are struck and killed every year by failing to make themselves visible in the dark and the rain. If you venture out on foot frequently and have to navigate well-traveled roads, it is important to make your presence easily seeable. Today, experts recommend a number of habits and technologies to help you avoid disaster by staying visible while walking in the rain.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Reflective tape
• LED device with clip
• Cell phone

Prepare Before You Go

1. Purchase reflective tape and an LED safety light at your local outdoor or cycling shop. Most of these shops carry a wide variety of products that are largely geared toward bicycle riders, so be sure and tell the people there that you want products you can wear on your person.

2. Apply the tape in a circular pattern, wrapping it all the way around the widest part of your jacket. This will help motorists see your dimensions at a distance and make the necessary adjustments well in advance.

3. Clip the LED safety light to your waist or back, making sure that the light itself is pointing out toward the road. Many experts advise wearing the light high on your body so that it can be seen immediately once drivers crest a hill.

4. Exercise caution as you pick your route. Too many pedestrians give little thought to blind corners and hairpin turns. You need to think like a driver if you want to avoid being hit by one!

5. Stay several feet off the road while negotiating a high-speed area. It is better to be out of harm's way than to suddenly become visible at the last second.

Tips & Warnings

• Walking in the rain can be a hazard in the day as well as at night. Do not assume that you can be seen just because there is daylight. Cloudy conditions and plenty of moisture in the air can render you essentially invisible.
• Never carry more than you can comfortably manage while walking in the rain. You want to be light on your feet if you get caught in dangerous traffic conditions or a sudden storm.
• Stay warm! It is important to protect your health if you are walking through a rain storm, so that hypothermia doesn't impair your judgment.
• If you are struck despite all your best efforts, get yourself out of the road as quickly as possible. Just because one motorist has stopped doesn't mean the rest of the drivers on the road can see far enough ahead to avoid you.
• Carry a cell phone at all times. If it's working and you are injured, call 911 before you call friends or family members, just in case the battery fails.

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