Active travel - vulnerable road user safety
/
Summary
Whilst drivers have a responsibility to mitigate risk for vulnerable road users (VRU) by practicing effective hazard scanning and passing safely, it is incumbent on the VRU to maintain their awareness, follow the Highway Code and do all they can to improve their own safety. This short film is designed to reinforce the many benefits of choosing sustainable transport, whilst reminding viewers that there is a lot they can do to improve their own safety whilst out on the roads.
Target audience - pedestrians, cyclists and scooter riders
Duration - 6:30
Deployment - social media or headset
Age limitations - none
Copyright owned by - West Midlands Fire Services
Produced by - FirstCar, on commission from West Midlands Fire Service and the West Midlands Active Travel Fund.
Key issues raised in the film:
Awareness: staying alert to risks and hazards - i.e. looking around, predicting the actions of other road users, removing earphones and restrictive clothing (such as a hoodie) etc.
Visibility: consider how our visibility as a pedestrian, cyclist or scooter rider impacts on our safety. Choice of clothing is important, as well as additional visibility aids such as lights, reflectors and hi-viz.
Filtering/crossing: whilst those in vehicles are relatively safe in busy urban environments, the volume of traffic and unpredictability of drivers’ actions presents a real risk for VRUs.
Film structure:
Section 1 - Scene setting
Section 2 - Get visible (passive safety)
Section 3 - Get aware
Section 4 - Predict (using our awareness)
Preview in 360-degrees on YouTube
