Shadows in the Southern Tier: Hidden Danger of Unseen Pedestrians

Last week, in the early morning hours before sunrise, an incident unfolded along a road in Binghamton which led to a member of the Southern Tier community reaching out for help spreading a friendly reminder to area residents.

While navigating the dimly lit stretch of road, the woman encountered a situation that prompted her to raise awareness about the critical importance of visibility when traveling on or working near local roadways.

The community member tells us that she faced challenges seeing in the darkness when she suddenly came upon a figure dressed entirely in black, shoveling slush at the edge of a driveway. The person's dark clothing made them one with the shadows of the road and property, causing the woman to realize they were there only when they turned around, revealing their face and the glint of the shovel's handle in the faint light.

This incident is a good reminder of the risks associated with wearing dark clothing in low-light conditions, especially when venturing out on roads during hours when there isn’t much daylight. The danger extends not only to individuals working in poorly lit areas but also to pedestrians, including children, who may inadvertently blend into the darkness while waiting for the school bus or engaging in activities near driveways after sunset.

When someone wears dark clothes that blend in with the surroundings, drivers have a hard time seeing them until they are nearly on top of them. To keep yourself and your children safe, consider opting for light-colored clothing or incorporating reflective elements to reduce the risk of accidents and ensure personal safety.

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Whether you find yourself on or near a road in the early morning or late evening when natural light is limited, remember the importance of making yourself easily seen by others!