The days are shorter and the nights are longer. That puts one the busiest traffic times in Albert Lea — the evening commute home from work — into darkness. For the sake of drivers, we urge pedestrians to not wear dark clothing and, just as importantly, avoid walking on the roadway when at all possible.

We’ve all seen it. Someone wearing blue jeans and a black winter coat walking along the curb of South Broadway Avenue or North Bridge Avenue or East Main Street.

True, these folks could make a good case of the need for sidewalks — especially for people walking to the Walmart vicinity. However, the combination of dark clothing and walking in the roadway seems just plain risky.

Even for those who use sidewalks, wearing dark clothing while walking at night or in the early morning hours can be risky. Motorists at times have to absorb and identify information at a cognitive rate that, research has shown, is generally faster than the human mind is accustomed to doing in other facets of daily life. The easier you make it for the drivers by wearing easy-to-see clothing, the easier life will be for you when you cross a street, parking lot or driveway.

Don’t be a statistic. Don’t let car drivers fail to spot you. Wear proper clothing when it is dark outside.