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‘Life Paint’ Could Make Pedestrians and Cyclists More Visible, Reducing Florida Accident Rates

Florida is literally the most dangerous place in the country to ride a bike or walk. There are hundreds of deaths every year in the state, most often it’s because drivers don’t see cyclists or pedestrians. But now the Swedish car company, Volvo, has invented something that could make a tremendous difference. It is a safety reflective spray paint that literally lights up bikers and walkers so drivers can see them.

Life Paint is a spray-on reflective paint developed by Grey London in collaboration with reflective paint makers Albedo100. It uses special adhesives that are invisible in daylight but light up after dark in the glare of automobile headlights. Life Paint can also be sprayed on fabric making it a good option for pedestrians. Its glow-in-the-dark powers last a week, and it washes off without damaging the material.

The 2011 Florida pedestrian fatality rates were nearly double the national average and bicycle fatality rates were nearly triple the national average. Based on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts reports, Florida had the highest pedestrian fatality rate among all states in 2011, 2.60 pedestrian fatalities per 100,000 persons. According to the “Dangerous by Design” report, Florida has the top four metropolitan areas on the list of most dangerous large metro areas for walking in the U.S.: 1) Orlando-Kissimmee, 2) Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, 3) Jacksonville, and 4) Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach.

These are frightening statistics that hopefully can be turned around with safety options such as Life Paint. Grey London said in a statement that “Volvo has always taken safety seriously. They invented the three-point seat belt in 1959 and then opened up the patent so that any car manufacturer could use it.” Currently, 2,000 trial cans of the product are being given away at six bike shops in the United Kingdom and then it’s expected to be introduced internationally.

Of course it is important for both pedestrians and cyclists to do everything they can to make themselves visible. Wearing bright colors and some type of reflective device or lights will help keep you safe on the road. Staying alert, paying attention to traffic and following the rules of the road are vital tips that should always be followed whether you are behind the wheel of a car, riding a bike or walking. This could prevent serious injuries of death.

If you have been hit by a vehicle while walking or riding a bike, or are the victim of a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the responsible parties. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you with your legal options.