00:00When children are walking to and from school in the dark, making sure they can be seen by drivers is
00:06an important part of road safety.
00:08Durham Constabulary is using its Be Bright, Be Seen campaign to remind young people of the simple precautions they can
00:15take before setting off.
00:16And the message is not just for pedestrians.
00:19Police are also asking motorists to check their eyesight and make sure their vehicles are safe to use.
00:25One of the main parts of the campaign is helping primary school children become more visible when they are out
00:31and about.
00:32Officers will be visiting schools across the force area to talk to pupils about road safety, with particular attention to
00:38journeys to and from school.
00:41The campaign will also see reflective key fobs distributed to children.
00:45They have been funded by Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, with the initial distribution planned for one school
00:51in County Durham and one in Darlington.
00:53The fobs are designed to attach to dark school uniforms, coats and bags, providing an additional reflective item that can
01:01help children stand out.
01:03Police are also encouraging families to think about visibility when choosing what children wear outside.
01:09Bright clothing can help them stand out, while reflective items attached to a school bag or coat provide another practical
01:15option.
01:16The advice also covers what children do when they reach a road.
01:20Police say they should take extra care when crossing and make sure the way is clear before stepping out.
01:26For children travelling on bikes or scooters, the message is to have appropriate lights attached and to remember a helmet.
01:33These are simple precautions, but the campaign aims to make them part of the everyday routine for young people travelling
01:38around their communities.
01:40There is also a message for the people behind the wheel.
01:42Durham Constabulary is reminding motorists to make sure their vehicle lights are in full working order and that their eyesight
01:50meets the required standard.
01:52The force is running the campaign alongside Operation Insight, which includes random eyesight checks for drivers.
01:59Officers will test drivers against the legal 20 metre eye standard as used in a driving test.
02:05Police say anyone who fails the eyesight test will have their driving licence revoked under Cassie's law.
02:10The checks are intended to reinforce the responsibility drivers have to make sure they can see clearly enough to drive
02:17safely.
02:18Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen says the October clock change brings additional hazards for road users.
02:25She says reflective items can help motorists see pedestrians sooner and give them more time to respond appropriately.
02:32She's also urging drivers to adjust their speed and behaviour to suit the conditions on the road.
02:37Sergeant Sarah Mansa says motorists should check both their eyesight and the condition of their vehicles,
02:44while children and pedestrians are being encouraged to take steps to improve their visibility.
02:49The campaign's message is that road safety is a shared responsibility.
02:53Children can take steps to be seen, while drivers must make sure they can see clearly and respond safely to
02:58conditions.
02:59The campaign's message is that road safety is the quienes can see people as the road safety must be seen.
02:59They must be seen from their kids, while drivers must be seen by the way of the daily life.
02:59You !
03:00For more information, visit www.fema.org
