WITH clocks going back tonight, signalling the end of lighter evenings, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is reminding road users of the importance of seeing and being seen.

Sunday is Halloween and families going out trick or treating should remember it will get darker an hour earlier.

On Monday, many people will find themselves travelling home from work in the dark for the first time in months and children back at school after half term will also spot the nights drawing in.

Cyclists should ensure they can be seen easily. In the dark, they must, by law, have front and rear lights lit and reflectors must also be fitted. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advises cyclists to wear brightly-coloured or fluorescent clothing in daylight and reflective clothing or accessories in the dark.

Pedestrians, including joggers, need to be aware that it can be very hard to see them when they are wearing dark clothing. RoSPA advises that they also ensure they are clearly visible.

In 2009, there were at least 55 fatal accidents, 237 serious accidents and 562 slight accidents on Britain’s roads in which pedestrians wearing dark clothing at night were among the factors that led to the accident.

RoSPA encourages parents talk to their children about the importance of being seen and that children wear reflective items when they are out and about in the dark.

Most importantly of all, the safety charity urges drivers and motorcyclists to ensure they keep a proper look-out for vulnerable road users, not least because failing to look properly is the most frequently-reported factor in accidents on Britain’s roads. They also need to watch their speed.