By Avanto Safety | December 2025

As we close out 2025, the data tells a sobering story about road safety for pedestrians, runners, and cyclists. While we've made strides in infrastructure and awareness, visibility remains one of the most critical factors in preventing accidents—and one of the easiest to address with the right safety gear.

The Numbers Don't Lie: Darkness Is Deadly

Recent statistics paint a clear picture of why visibility matters:

•       76% of pedestrian fatalities occur in dark conditions, despite only a quarter of all travel happening after dark

•       Nearly 50% of cyclist fatalities happen during nighttime hours, with the highest risk between 6:00 PM and midnight

•       Over 40% of motorcycle collisions occur because another driver simply didn't see the rider

•       77% of pedestrian deaths involve visibility issues as a common factor

The peak danger hours? Between 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM—exactly when many runners, cyclists, and pedestrians are on the roads for their evening exercise or commute. These aren't just numbers; they represent lives that could have been saved with better visibility.

The Science of Being Seen

Understanding how visibility gear works is key to appreciating its life-saving potential. When you're active in low-light conditions, you're fighting against human perception limitations—and reflective and LED gear gives you the advantage.

LED Lighting: Active Visibility

While reflective gear depends on external light sources, LED-equipped safety gear emits its own light. This is crucial in areas beyond the range of headlights or where street lighting is minimal. LED vests, sashes, and clip-ons ensure you're visible even in complete darkness, providing 360-degree visibility that reflective materials alone can't match.

Bright colors like neon yellow-green enhance visibility during twilight hours when neither daylight nor headlights dominate. Research shows these colors can increase a runner's visibility to others by up to 60% during dawn and dusk conditions.

Real-World Impact: The Evidence for Visibility Gear

The effectiveness of visibility gear isn't theoretical—it's proven:

•       A randomized controlled trial in Denmark involving nearly 7,000 cyclists found that conspicuity-enhancing jackets reduced the risk of collisions by 47%, with a 55% reduction specifically for collisions involving motor vehicles.

•       Swedish research demonstrated that cyclists wearing reflective vests had a 30% lower risk of accidents during low-light conditions compared to those without reflective gear.

•       A New Zealand study found that 33% of motorcycle accidents might have been prevented by wearing high-visibility clothing.

•       Pedestrians wearing proper reflective clothing are significantly less likely to be involved in traffic accidents, according to research published in the Journal of Safety Research.

Perhaps most striking: proper visibility gear can increase detection distances by drivers from under 100 feet to over 500 feet, giving drivers the reaction time they need to avoid tragedy.

The Visibility Gap: Why Many Still Don't Gear Up

Despite the overwhelming evidence, research reveals a troubling pattern: pedestrians and runners consistently overestimate their visibility to drivers. Studies show that people substantially underestimate the benefit of high-visibility accessories, leading many to skip crucial safety gear.

In a 2009 UK study, nearly all drivers agreed that cyclists need to wear reflective clothing in low-light environments, yet only 72% of cyclists agreed—and less than half reported always doing so. This perception gap is costing lives.

Making Visibility Standard, Not Optional

At Avanto Safety, we believe that being visible shouldn't be complicated or uncomfortable. Modern visibility gear has evolved far beyond bulky reflective vests. Today's solutions are:

•       Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear

•       Stylish and unobtrusive, integrating seamlessly with your workout or commute gear

•       Weather-resistant, maintaining effectiveness in rain or shine

•       Affordable, with effective options available for under $40

From affordable, convenient reflective LED-equipped straps, sashes, and vests to clip-on lights, there's no excuse not to be visible. As one safety expert puts it: "It is no longer an issue of whether to have them or not, it is absolutely essential to have both lighting and retroreflective clothing on. It makes a big difference."

Looking Ahead to 2026: Our Commitment

As we move into 2026, Avanto Safety remains committed to making visibility gear that people actually want to wear. We're not just selling products—we're on a mission to eliminate preventable accidents by making visibility the default, not the exception.

The statistics are clear: darkness doesn't have to be deadly. With the right gear, every pedestrian, runner, and cyclist can significantly reduce their risk. While the data is conclusive, you don’t need the data to tell you that being conspicuous is infinitely better than being a statistic.

Stay Safe. Stay Visible. Stay Alive.

About Avanto Safety

Avanto Safety is dedicated to protecting active individuals through innovative visibility solutions. Our reflective and LED-equipped safety gear combines cutting-edge technology with comfortable, stylish designs that people actually want to wear. Because the best safety gear is the gear you'll use every time.

Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Journal of Safety Research, Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute