Just recently a young man was hit by a car crossing a street at night in Beachwood. Despite the fact that he crossed in a crosswalk, it was just too hard to see someone dressed in black at night. At the encouragement of his family, our community is being asked to be more vigilant about wearing reflectors. Sponsored belts can be purchased for $3 at the local seforim stores. Marc’s and discount stores frequently sell very inexpensive reflective vests. Flashing lights and flashlights are only a few dollars. Just recently Lakewood launched a “Shabbos of Reflection” after 101 pedestrians were struck, 5 fatally in 2012. Maybe it is time for a little more “reflection” in Cleveland too? Well, Chaverim has plans underway for a whole campaign soon! Click here to view a pamphlet which outlines the halachos of wearing a reflector in a place where there is no eruv (say you are traveling outside of the Cleveland eruv on Shabbos or do not carry).
Address correction says
Reflective belts are not just for Shabbos anymore. This occurred on a weekday evening as he was walking back home from the kollel!
CH er says
Can we get the schools on board!. Kids think they are nebby and no parent cajoling can make a difference when they think they are up against being teased.
No matter how healthy a snack I send my son, he just won’t take it out in school because NO ONE ELSE does it.
Once an idea takes root in the kids, plural, once something gets its reputation,-, only an all out campaign and reinforcement at home and school can turn that around. We need universal message that this is What IS Done, before the resistance will fade.
Class project in high schools? Fujndraiser? Prize? Class prize? 10 cents towards a class party for anyone self reporting wearing one where age appropriate? B’nos or Pirchei prizes? Chavering speaking in school. Those guys are really cool. And while we are at it, generalize the message that this is just one factore of safety and not to ignore other safety rules.
We need to make it the “in” thing – the thing “smart” kids do. The thing smart people do. Smart people incudes both Mom and Dad. Even if….as in even if your coat isn’t completely black, be a good roll model and put one on.
May Hashem help keep us all safe.
Local Yokel says
Hasn’t every experienced driver been at an intersection and almost didn’t see someone who was invisible. Takes your breath away. The thought sends shudders!
No driver ever wants to be the one who didn’t see someone – no matter how invisible. Keep yourself safe – stay visible. But it is also a chessed to the driver who would have to live with knowing they’d hit a pedestrian.
mhj says
Maybe the solution is to not be dressed in all black. I don’t see where is there is any halachic or historical basis for this, if you look at pre-war pictures of yeshiva bochurim and gedolim you rarely see them wearing black. In addition it is a morbid color usually associated with death.
Concerned mom says
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make your kids wear them too. I NEVER want to get the call again like I get about my brother in law last night! And it could be any of us or our kids. I know that I even keep one on my stroller when we are out at night because it crosses the street before me.
BeachwoodRes says
Beachwood needs to spend some money on street lights. Every corner and crosswalk should have a street light! Where is the mayor and city council? Three of my neighbors had there cars broken into last week. Probably because of the section 8 that council is letting move into the city!! Solon, here I come.
pzr says
Where can we get these reflectors?
Gedaliah Yitzchak Corbett says
Reflective Belts are available for the price of $3.00 at Franks and Jacobs, subsidized by The Cheva Kadisha because “They DON’T want to see you!” Alternatively, you can also buy them from Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Marc’s and various safety and bike stores around the city. They cost a bit more at these places, but the price is still not too expensive. At some of these larger stores or via on-line, one can also purchase other reflective items such as vests, pants, gloves and tape. Reflective tape is very good for applying to a stroller as a previous comment noted, the stroller enters the intersection before the one pushing it!
Isabel Parks says
I bought a reflective vest either last year or the year before, and I when I go out on Friday nights to friends for dinner or to a simcha and I have to cross Green or Cedar etc… I make sure I wear it. It clashed with my coats but I’d rather be seen than worry about fashion.
Cleveland Heights Voter says
I’m not refuting a thing that’s been said before, but did anyone stop and consider that walking in the street even when the sidewalks are clean may not be such a good idea? It may even be a Chilul Hashem.
Isabel Parks says
I hate when people walk in the street when the following conditions exist: There are sidewalks right next to them and it clear and dry all over.
It is very dangerous in the day time when drivers can see you, it is even more dangerous when drivers can’t see you.
Use your brains, walk on the sidewalk and not in the street and please stand on the sidewalk to have conversations.
Too many people run the risk of getting hurt or hurting others by walking and standing in the street.
Local Yokel says
Agreed. Sidewalks were created for a reason! SAFETY
But you can’t stay on the sidewalk when crossing the street – or sometimes even walking your car.
It isn’t one or the other. And having in mind to look both ways does not mean you are yotzai
Wear reflectors, AND use the sidewalks for maximum safety.
(Who wants minimum safety anyway.) 🙂
Isabel Parks says
I was at the hardware store at Chagrin and Lander today. They had reflective vests for $4.00. The picture shows a construction or other type of outdoor worker wearing it. It does not appear to have buttons, snaps etc…so it is probably okay for wearing on shabbos. Not much money for a lot visibility any time.
Y says
The reflective belts subsidized by the Chevra Kadisha are also available in University Heights for the price of $3.00 by contacting the Safrin’s @ 216-381-4696.
Gedaliah Yitzhak Corbett says
Another idea for during the week if you don’t have a reflective belt is to use the flash on your cell phone. Smart phones can download an app which turns the flash into a flashlight. It’s a great safety device that will help a driver notice a pedestrian is crossing the street. If you don’t have a smart phone, just hold your cellphone screen out which also lights up. For Shabbos, get yourself a Shabbos belt!