On Fri, 10 Dec 2010  Richard Dresser  <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
<a href="/cgi-bin/wa?LOGON=A3%3Dind1012B%26L%3DSAFETY%26E%3D7bit%26P%3D241931%26B%3D--%26T%3Dtext%252Fplain%3B%2520charset%3Dus-ascii" target="_parent" >[log in to unmask]</a> said to the Safety list, in part:

>After dark, I like to wear my reflective winter jacket when we go to the
>mall and other casual places so that I can be seen by drivers while I'm a
>pedestrian in parking lots, or near the road.
>Question for the list:
>Am I being unreasonably prudent when I wear my reflective jacket as
>described above?

I think you are being reasonably prudent, especially if the parking lot does
not get uniform, daylight intensity lighting.

I walk every evening for 2 miles in my neighborhood, the roads of which have
no sidewalks or street lights.  Even though traffic is very light at 7 PM,
for half the year it is VERY dark then, unless there is snow cover on the
road.  I have taken four Nite-Ize flasher strips and strung them together as
a sash worn over my dark-colored winter coat to let cars know I'm there. It
releases my hands from holding a flashlight or other presence signal and
allows me to put them in my pockets on especially cold nights.  I still take
care about traffic approaching from the rear, but am generally more relaxed
with red, flashing, reflective lights on my front and back.

I get 3-4 positive comments per season from dog-walking neighbors about the
neat arrangement.

I even gave a sent to a family friend in Florida who walks her dog very
early in the mornings, when it is dark even that far south in winter.  She
is a retired Broadway actress and real estate professional  - no safety
background whatsoever.  She put one on her dog, wears the other three and
says she is much more comfortable and relaxed about traffic and the dog
during her walks as a result.

Peter Zavon, CIH
Penfield, NY

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