Carp firefighters highlight roadside visibility

DUNROBIN – Last week (Sept. 27) the City of Ottawa announced throughout October, Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) will be distributing free reflective bands and lights at select fire stations across the city as part of its annual Be Safe Be Seen campaign.

The program is intended to raise awareness with pedestrians and cyclists about their visibility as the days get shorter and darkness descends.

“Whether walking or rolling, wear lights or reflectors to make sure you are seen in the dark,” the city released in a statement. “Without reflective gear you may be practically invisible to other road users.”

 Last week (Oct. 3), OFS Sector 6 Chief Bill Bell told West Carleton Online the OFS has partnered with Safer Roads Ottawa, for this program, for many years.

 “Everyone knows where their community fire station is so OFS has a convenient network for reaching out to urban and rural areas,” told West Carleton Online from the Dunrobin fire hall. “Anything we can do to help Safer Roads Ottawa to do this means we are all better off for it.”

He says each year many residents take advantage of this opportunity to pick up reflective tape and lights.

“Anyone is welcome to pick up a reflective band and flasher,” he said. “It is for every resident and they are welcome to take a few for the household. Fortunately our residents are fairly aware of the hazards on the road while walking or on a bike in this area and collisions are uncommon. But if people can’t see you it’s not safe.”

Bell also points out compared to urban areas the rural roads are usually much darker and in most cases there are no safe lanes for bicycles. Fall also means an increase in farm equipment traffic on our roads which often extends into the evening hours.

“In very low light conditions, wearing reflectors and flashing lights makes it easier for drivers to see cyclists and pedestrians,” Bell said. “It’s also a good idea to put a flashing light or reflective band on kids going out for Hallowe’en to make sure everybody can see them.”

In Bell’s opinion most rural people in West Carleton (drivers, bikers, pedestrians) seem to be very familiar of the hazards of not being seen in low light however he encourages residents to continue to be vigilant.

“The biggest piece of advice I have is don’t assume you are being seen by anyone,” he said. “To protect yourself you need to be seen. Always be aware of the road conditions and intersections and try to anticipate what could happen.”

Throughout October 2024, OFS will be distributing reflective bands and flashing lights at select fire stations throughout Ottawa. In West Carleton the Carp fire hall at 475 Donald B Munro Rd. has been designated for local pick up on Wednesdays Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. (the city notes that should all station personnel be responding to an emergency call, items will be unavailable).

For further information and a list of other stations/times see: www.ottawa.ca.