I was driving home from work the other night…it was a beautiful spring evening.  The sun had already set and it was already dark. I was in my neighborhood, which I must say is not well lit, but it is a neighborhood   Our neighborhood does not have sidewalks, so people (who are out for an evening walk) usually do so in the street.  We’re all familiar with each other, so most of us are good about slowing down and watching out for pedestrians. 

So, I came upon a young couple strolling with their baby in a stroller. They were all dressed in black, and the stroller was black as well. I suddenly realized that they were right in front of me on the side of the road. I could not see them at all until I was right on top of them!! Scary. 

This made me think about taking a walk with a baby in a stroller. Or actually, strolling at dusk or night at all. All of the strollers that I typically see in my office are dark in color. I wonder if they have any reflective stripes or coverings on them at all? Certainly, the one I saw the other night did not have any markings that reflected as my headlights scanned the road. 

On top of that, both parents were dressed in dark sweat clothes, and they to did not have on any reflective “gear” at all either. They were a family of three, 2 walking, one in a stroller and they appeared as a dark blur. 

I guess the point of this is that your child’s stroller should have reflective tape or something (I see a great marketing idea here) on it. If you (mom or dad) go out for a night time stroll, don’t wear dark colors and wear reflective gear. The more markings the better!  Safety is paramount and being seen is the most important part of being a pedestrian. 

Being an early morning walker myself, often before dawn, I am now the proud owner of a reflective vest and arms bands for my early morning walks. Lesson learned for me as well. 

That’s your daily dose for today.  We’ll chat again tomorrow.