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For more information or images, please contact: Frank Klim, 727-510-1393 / Fklim2060@gmail.com or AngelVestsInfo@gmail.com

Below: Press Release, Pedestrian & Bicycling Accident Statistics and NHTSA Safety Tips.

PRESS RELEASE

It can be dangerous simply heading to school, going for an evening stroll, jogging, biking or walking your dog. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that on average, a pedestrian is killed every 88 minutes in this country. In 2017, there was an additional 783 bicyclist deaths.

Angel Vests™ provide a good first step to safety. These highly reflective vests alert drivers there’s a pedestrian near the road. Safety Vests are required by law for construction workers–and for good reason. They help protect these diligent men and women from injury by drivers.

At Angel Vests our #1 priority is to help prevent accidents and save the lives of walkers, runners, cyclists and others from roadside accidents with high visibility, white reflective vests, dog vests and caps.

Co-founders Frank and Sandy Klim developed the idea of safety vests specifically designed for pedestrians. Frank Klim was 12 years old when he was hit by a car while bicycling to a friend's house. The driver told the police, "I just didn't see him." This is an all too common theme when accidents occur.

Angel Vests provide an alternative to commercial yellow and orange vests by offering affordable and stylish white, high visibility, reflective vests. The reflective strips glow brightly at night, but the vests are also effective during daytime hours.

Pedestrian use of high-vis vests is commonplace in Europe and around the world. Several countries now require motorist to carry hi-vis vests in their cars in the event of a breakdown or flat time. Angel Vests hopes that Americans will follow suit.

Angel Vests are specifically designed in white to alert drivers that the bright, reflective vests they are seeing are men, women, children and pets on the road for leisure. Orange or yellow vests denotes construction or other roadside workers. Drivers should drive cautiously whenever they seen any type of hi-vis vest.

The purpose of Angel Vests is to help prevent injuries or deaths due to vehicle related accidents. It’s that simple.

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PEDESTRIAN & BICYCLING ACCIDENT STATISTICS

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 5,977 pedestrians died in vehicle related accidents in 2017. That’s one pedestrian killed every 88 minutes in this country. The same year, there was an additional 783 bicyclist deaths.
A new 2018 report by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimates the number of people hit and killed by a vehicle has climbed to its highest level since 1990.
According to the GHSA, pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. have increased 41 percent since 2008 and now account for 16 percent of all traffic fatalities.This doesn’t include the thousands of roadside non-fatal accidents that go unreported or undocumented.
“The alarm bells continue to sound on this issue,” GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins said in a release about the rising number of people hit and killed by vehicles. “It’s clear we need to fortify our collective efforts to protect pedestrians and reverse the trend.”
GHSA also reports that five states including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia and Texas accounted for almost half the pedestrian fatalities in the first half of 2018. The report says New Mexico had the highest pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 residents in the first half of last year while New Hampshire had the lowest fatality rate.
The NHTSA defines a pedestrian as any person on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, sitting, or lying down who is involved in a motor vehicle traffic crash. A traffic crash is defined as an incident that involved one or more motor vehicles where at least one vehicle was in transport and the crash originated on a public traffic way, such as a road or highway. Crashes that occurred on private property, including parking lots and driveways, are excluded.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Provides Additional Safety Tips for Pedestrians

Be predictable. Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals.
Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available.
If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible.
Keep alert at all times; don’t be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes (and ears) off the road.
Whenever possible, cross streets at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers expect pedestrians. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right.
If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross.
Never assume a driver sees you. Make eye contact with drivers as they approach to make sure you are seen.
Be visible at all times. Wear bright clothing during the day and wear reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.
Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways, or backing up in parking lots.
Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and judgement.

The NHTSA Also Provides Safety Tips for Bicyclists

Ride a bike that fits you—if it’s too big, it’s harder to control the bike.
Ride a bike that works—it really doesn’t matter how well you ride if the brakes don’t work.
Wear equipment to protect you and make you more visible to others, like a bike helmet, bright clothing (during the day), reflective gear, and a white front light and red rear light and reflectors on your bike (at night, or when visibility is poor).
Ride one per seat, with both hands on the handlebars, unless signaling a turn.
Carry all items in a backpack or strapped to the back of the bike.
Tuck and tie your shoelaces and pant legs so they don’t get caught in your bike chain.

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