High Visibility

[Bigbeard]

When we road walk in in Ireland we wear a High Visibility vest and are encouraged by law enforcement do so by their free distributing of them why so few Pilgrim seem to wear them when some road walking required ?

 

[Jarrad]

There's been some discussion on here about this. Seems there are some requirements to wear a vest under certain conditions; however, I personally have never seen anyone do this on the CdF.

I am not clever enough to paste the link, but do a quick search for "Hi vis vest" for a discussion from February 2024.

 

[K_Lynn]

I think most people are just oblivious.

For my last Camino I bought a pair of Hi Vis Suspenders/belt that weighed nothing and easy to put on over my backpack and poncho. It was the end of October so shorter days and rain every day.

 

[lettinggo]

Hola

A bicycle red blinking light weight next to nothing and you can hang it on the back of your backpack when its dark.
Altenative some ankle straps with reflective surface.

Buen Camino.
Lettinggo

 

[henrythedog]

My pack cover is hi-viz yellow with a reflective stripe; I carry Henry the (actual) dog’s flashing red light for early starts and my poles have alternate reflective red and white stripes.

I walk only late September through to late March so perhaps I’m attuned to starting at dark o’clock?

 

[Flog]

When we road walk in in Ireland we wear a High Visibility vest and are encouraged by law enforcement do so by their free distributing of them why so few Pilgrim seem to wear them when some road walking required ?

I don't know..
But not all walkers in Ireland wear Hi Viz vests, nor is there any requirement by law to do so. I would even say that most don't, including me if I'm honest.. I am careful to face oncoming traffic though, and to get in out of the way where possible.

In Spain on the other hand, it's required by law on a highway and so is walking facing the oncoming traffic and is punishable by fines for non compliance.. apparently.

 

[Jarrad]

I am thinking about wearing one of these on my next Camino whilst carrying a road flare in each hand. If only I could find one in hi-viz yellow.

 

[dbier]

Lack of awareness, plus hi-vis equipment is neither standard nor free outside of Ireland.

I remember reading about Spain's law...halfway through the Primitivo. In late September 2023. Fortunately, I *did* know about the late sunrises, and had headlamps and blinking red lights for those days when I started before dawn. But it's highly doubtful that my gear met Spanish visibility standards...

 

[mspath]

Throughout most of Europe reflective vests are generally sold in large gas stations. Inexpensive and lightweight they are always available in stops which cater to long distance truckers such as the routiers in France....Wear them wherever you may be walking .

For more on reflective vests see
this earlier thread.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Wait for @t2andreo's response.

 

[David Tallan]

I never thought to do so on earlier Caminos. On my last Camino, I wrapped each pole with a couple of ships of high-visibility reflective tape and also wrapped my shoulder straps with some for oncoming vehicles to see and put a stripe of it down the back of my backpack. That is my plan fir future Caminos, as well.

 

[Bigbeard]

I am thinking about wearing one of these on my next Camino whilst carrying a road flare in each hand. If only I could find one in hi-viz yellow.

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Jarrad it's people like you that my son attends to after being stuck by a motor vehicle, I'm assuming you don't drive if you did I don't think you would answer as you did ,I wish you safe hiking

 

[Jarrad]

Ouch. My apologies if my attempt at mild levity fell flat with you. Cheers.

 

[Bigbeard]

Jarrad you didn't need to apologise but accepted a bit of humour never amiss