Pedestrian Safety & Color Awareness

by Maria Lisa Polegatto

In memory of my sweet Aunt Lorraine (1942-2025), an avid pedestrian whose life was tragically changed in an instant as the result of a pedestrian accident. Her life mattered. She left a lasting impact on our lives and I hope this information helps others stay safe.  

​Spring has arrived on the calendar, but the weather and landscapes are still changing daily. Your visibility as a pedestrian can depend on the environment around you. Choosing the right colors when walking, running, biking, or on scooter can make a difference.

High-Visibility Colors

• Fluorescent Yellow/Green: Stands out in green or wooded areas.
• Bright Orange: Works well in urban and rural settings.
• Bright Blue: Shows up against autumn leaves or brown tones.

Avoid Dark Colors
Black, navy, and other dark shades blend into the environment, making you harder for drivers to see you when you walk, bike, scooter.

Quick Safety Tips:

• Wear high-visibility outerwear or accessories.
• Add reflective strips on your outerwear.
• Choose your color based on the dominant backdrop of your route.
• Personal tip:  have even added reflective strips to my car side mirrors of my vehicle to be more visible to oncoming vehicles.​

References / Further Reading

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Pedestrian Safety
• Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety – High-Visibility Clothing Guidelines
• High visibility colored fabrics for normal trichromats and individuals with color vision defects in a sunset-simulated environment

#PedestrianSafety #StayVisible #HighVisibility #SafetyTips #WalkSafe #SpringSafety #OutdoorAwareness #StreetSafety #LifeMatters #PreventAccidents #ReflectiveGear #SafetyFirst #VisibleMatters​

www.marialisapolegatto.com