Winter time brings darker evenings, increasing pedestrian accidents by 35%, especially among children aged 10-19 due to poor vision and underdeveloped brains.
Winter time increases pedestrian accidents
After the switch to winter time, the decrease in light at dusk has increased pedestrian accidents by 35% in the evening, particularly affecting children aged 10 to 19 years. This increase occurs during the week following the time change, when the sun sets earlier and visibility is reduced.Children’s vision and brain development
Children under 11-12 years old have a narrower field of vision and poor contrast perception, and their brains are still developing. This makes it harder for them to assess dangers and distances, especially in low light conditions.Dusk and daily routines
When a change of just a small hour disrupts the habits of the entire family, children leave school at the same time and use the same sidewalk, but outside, night falls earlier. This change in light is far from trivial, as it affects the timing of daily routines and increases the risk of accidents.Accident patterns and visibility
According to the National Interministerial Observatory for Road Safety (ONISR), pedestrian accidents increase by nearly 35% during the evening peak hour in the week following the switch to winter time. Dusk coincides with the departure from schools and offices, where drivers, cyclists, scooters, and schoolchildren cross paths.Visual and cognitive immaturity
Dr. Stéphanie Zwillinger, an ophthalmologist in Paris, explains that children under 12 have a visual system and brain still under development. Their ability to perceive contrast in low light and assess distances is not fully mature, making them more vulnerable in dim conditions.Vision alone is not enough
Having perfect vision is not enough to avoid the pitfalls of the street. Dr. Zwillinger notes that a child can have 10/10 vision but still struggle with processing complex visual and cognitive information. The brain region responsible for visual processing and decision-making develops slowly, especially during adolescence.Safety advice for children
To reduce risks on the trip between school and home, the priority is to make the child visible. Reflective strips on their backpack, arms, wrists, and ankles can help others see them better. This advice also applies to cyclists, as motion can be missed if only one reflective element is used.Reinforcing safety habits
Road safety experts recommend consistently reinforcing safety rules with children, such as stopping before a pedestrian crossing and looking both ways. In the absence of sidewalks, children should walk on the left shoulder, facing oncoming traffic, to better see potential dangers. Parents are also encouraged to walk with their children as night falls to identify potential hazards together.
