AS the darker nights draw in, Hampshire County Council is reminding everyone using the roads and pavements as they travel to work and school to think about “being safe and being seen”.

Sean Woodward, executive member for economy, transport and environment at the county council, said that now the clocks have gone back, winter is coming, which means that “for the first time in months, children are likely to be walking home from school in fading light and many motorists and cyclists will be coming home from work in the dark”.

“It is harder for motorists to spot others on the road or pavement in the dark, and accidents can happen when drivers do not see cyclists or pedestrians until it is too late,” he added.

Tips to help keep safe this winter include wearing brighter coloured clothing during the day and something reflective at night, drivers taking extra care to look for vulnerable road users and watching their speed, and checking bicycles to make sure that reflectors are clean, as well as fitting new batteries to lights.