Reflectors on wrists and ankles improve pedestrian visibility

Research from the Institute of Transport Economics (TØI), commissioned by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Ministry of Transport, indicates that wearing reflectors on wrists and ankles significantly improves pedestrian visibility in the dark.

Unlike static reflectors, those placed on limbs follow body movements, helping drivers identify a pedestrian and their direction of travel more quickly. This increased visibility can provide drivers with crucial extra time to react and brake. On unlit roads, a driver using low beams may detect a pedestrian with reflectors at distances exceeding 100 meters.

Studies suggest that pedestrians face at least twice the risk of being killed or seriously injured in the dark compared to daylight. While estimates vary, Norwegian studies have suggested that reflectors can reduce the risk of pedestrian accidents by between 80 and 90 percent.