At Seneca Meadows, we consistently work at being extremely focused on our path of travel, walking or driving, and taking it slower during the dark hours of the workday. This time of year it is dark when we begin and dark when we complete each work day. We focus on what we can control. We cannot control the weather or the number of hours of daylight, but we can control our safe behaviors. Many of these behaviors are universal to any situation:
- Use high visibility clothing when near moving vehicles
- Provide ample time for eyesight to adjust to light conditions
- Avoid drowsy driving
- Always use headlights
- Be alert for pedestrians especially where pedestrian traffic is expected
- Watch out for animals
Safe pedestrian behaviors:
- Avoid distractions while walking near roads and cross walks
- Obtain direct line of sight prior to entering traffic
- See and be seen by others, including other foot traffic
- Obey traffic control signals
- Utilize designated cross walks and side walks
According to the Journal of Safety Research, fatal crashes among pedestrians and bicyclists increase by 13% after the fall time change.
Kyle Black is the District Manager at Seneca Meadows Landfill located in Seneca Falls, New York.