Dog-Friendly Cornwall: Staying safe on winter walks

WALKING YOUR DOG SAFELY IN THE WINTER

Words by Victoria Carpenter

The nights are drawing in and the days are getting darker. Here in Cornwall, the lanes can be tricky to navigate as the light fades. Statistics show that the winter months see an 18% rise in the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured in road accidents. Here are a few simple tips to help you and your dog stay safe.

Tip 1: Think carefully about your route and the time you walk It’s worth reviewing the places that you walk as the seasons change. We all know cars can drive very fast down some Cornish roads, and the volume of traffic can change as sat-navs direct cars and even commercial vehicles along lanes that were once quieter. If you’re finding that your favourite routes are getting busier, consider altering your regular walks so you and your dog are safer. Consider walks with pavements or well-lit off-road routes – or if you can, change your routine to walk when there’s a reasonable amount of daylight.

Tip 2: Wear orange high-visibility clothing or accessories Hi-vis for you and your dog is helpful on fast roads and lanes even in daylight. Green and yellow can be tricky to spot against Cornish hedges, particularly in the low setting sun; orange is easier for drivers to see.

Tip 3: Use lights at night Hi-vis vests or jackets might not be enough at night. Give drivers extra time and opportunity to see you by wearing a light such as a head torch (those with red light settings don’t blind people looking at you head on). An LED keyring or collar can help your dog be seen more easily. Having a light behind you is also helpful if you can put one on a belt.

Tip 4: On single-track lanes, don’t follow the rule of walking towards oncoming traffic Despite received wisdom, this can be dangerous around tight bends, as it gives drivers virtually no time to see you and they have nowhere to go to avoid hitting you. Always walk on the outside of the bend in order to be seen as early as possible – if you need to cross the road and can do so safely, then do. l For dog-friendly walks and places to explore, visit www.dogfriendlycornwall.co.uk

YOUR GUIDE TO Christmas in Cornwall

2021 2022

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN OUR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE IN OUR CHRISTMAS IN 2022 ART GUIDES PLEASE CONTACT JENI SMITH CORNWALL 2022 GUIDE PLEASE CONTACT JENI SMITH TEL: 01209 494003 • EMAIL: JENI.MYCORNWALL@GMAIL.COM TEL: 01209 494003 • EMAIL: JENI.MYCORNWALL@GMAIL.COM

16 MAKERS CORNWALL CHRISTMAS FAIR, 18 TREASURE ISLAND: A CORNISH PANTOMIME 20 ALLANTIDE: CORNISH HALLOWEEN 21 A CHRISTMAS PREVIEW 24 VIRGINIA WOOLF IN ST IVES 27 FALMOUTH BOOK FESTIVAL 28 A SECULAR REQUIEM 30 BLACK HISTORY MONTH 32 LEARNING TO FLY 34 ADORE MY STORE: JO DOWNS HANDMADE GLASS 36 THE WANT LIST: CIRCA 21, PENZANCE