We, who drive to work and return home in the evening in the dark, really want to see you.

It may be the “thing” to wear all black clothes and dark hooded sweatshirts, but in the flat blackness of some streets, where there are no street lights, you may not be seen until it’s too late, for you and the driver — changing your lives forever by an accident that’s totally avoidable.

With colder, darker days ahead, it’s a good time to refresh our knowledge of pedestrian safety practices. Keeping safe applies to us all, adults and youth alike, anyone who uses the streets to get to our final destination.

Walking facing the oncoming traffic allows you to see the oncoming traffic and gives you a chance to step out of the way if traffic calls for it.

Even when an adult or other persons are looking, always look both ways for cars before crossing a street. Look right, then left, then right again.

Keep looking for traffic until you are across the street and use designated crosswalks.

When crossing the street at an intersection, follow traffic signs and signals and still continue to watch for oncoming cars.

Walk, don’t run across the street.

Be seen. Wear bright colors or use retro reflective materials on your coat or back packs. Tap into the latest safety technology of retro reflective gear which can be seen by motorists up to 500 feet away.

Consider Cool Blue Technology. Lands’ End offers a line of backpacks and coats that have electroluminescent safety technology, which is used by the U.S. Air Force, which enables you to be seen in the dark and in all kinds of weather conditions up to 1,000 feet.

Go in groups. It’s easier to see a group than an individual, but remember to keep to the sidewalk or side of the road when traffic is present.

Younger children always need an adult to walk with them.

Be safe, be seen. Happy trails.

Marianne Snowden is the Homer Electric Association’s representative on the Kenai Peninsula South Safe Kids Coalition.