Free Be Bright Be Seen reflector keyrings up for grabs with Kent County Council

by Lauren Abbott

labbott@thekmgroup.co.uk

When the clocks go back later this month it will signal the end of British Summertime and the start of more of us travelling around Kent in the dark.

Whether that’s to go to work or school, the gym, play a sport or a quick dash to the corner shop while walking the dog - the darker evenings put those moving around on foot in greater danger simply because pedestrians become harder to see by passing motorists.

Children become harder to see when the clocks change and mornings and evenings are darker. Image: iStock.

In the 12 months up to June 30 this year, 145 pedestrians were killed or seriously injured on Kent’s roads.

And it was the morning rush hour and after-school period, between 3pm and 6pm, that witnessed the greatest number of pedestrian casualties under the age of 16.

So to help ensure the safety of Kent’s youngsters while they’re out and about this winter we’re bringing back our hugely successful Be Bright Be Seen campaign and - with the support of Kent County Council’s Road Safety Team - we are giving away thousands of reflective keyrings to help children be more visible.

Following on from the outstanding success of previous promotions we've another 25,000 specially-designed keyrings to hand out this year, ahead of the darkest winter months, to schools, clubs, sports teams and youth groups.

The keyrings can be clipped on coats and school book bags. Picture: Matthew Walker.

Alongside this we’re also reminding households about the small but very important steps they can also take at home to ensure their family members are visible when they leave the house at the start or end of the day - particularly once the clocks have gone back on Sunday, October 27.

During foggy and overcast days this means pedestrians and cyclists should wear something brightly coloured to make them standout to drivers.

In the dark it should include something reflective so that individuals can be picked up by a vehicle’s headlamps as it passes and by other lights on paths and roads.

For those able to get their hands on our free keyrings these are specifically designed to be clipped onto children’s bags, coats, bikes or scooters but you can also use anything from armbands and stickers to reflective vests and tabards as well.

You can make an application for your keyrings at www.kmfm.co.uk/bebright

Teachers, teaching assistants, youth group leaders and sports coaches across Kent are all invited to apply.