Donegal’s road safety officer has pleaded with people to wear hi-vis jackets while out walking.
Donegal County Council executive Brian O’Donnell said he has noticed a huge amount of people still wearing dark clothing while out and about in the county’s towns and villages.
Mr O’Donnell said “I really can’t understand why or how people can go out walking or jogging without hi-vis clothing on. I just can’t.
“They are literally taking their lives in their hands. This is the darkest time of year with long and damp evenings.
“It’s great to see people out exercising but so many are still not preparing safely because they are wearing dark clothing.
“People are so less likely to be involved in an accident if they are wearing high visibility clothing and all it takes is two minutes to dig out that clothing from a wardrobe and keep it handy when going out.”
However, Mr O’Donnell added that hi-vis clothing should not only be worn while exercising but also at any time when people are out on the street in dusk on in darkness.
“I think it’s certainly a good habit. If it is dark or getting dark as it is these days a lot earlier then we should consider wearing hi-vis.
“People might not think it is very fashionable if you are walking across a supermarket car park or leaving a gym class to walk home or whatever but it could be a matter of life or death,” he warned.
