Code Red for Riding

The colours you choose to ride in could mean the difference between being seen by a driver or not – and it might not be the usual yellow, orange or pink that work best.  Equisafety’s Nicky Fletcher explains more….

Have you ever wondered why traffic lights, brake lights and warning signs are red?

The retina of our eyes has two types of light-sensitive cells called rods and cones, found in a layer at the back of the eye which processes images.

These cones are receivers for tiny visible waves.  The sun is a natural source for visible light waves and our eyes see the reflection of this sunlight off the objects all around us.

The colour of an object that we will see is the colour of light reflected while all other colours are absorbed.  Car headlights are another source of visible light waves.

Why Red Is So Effective

Red has the longest wavelength of all colours in the visible spectrum.  Its long wavelength results in red colours being scattered the least.  Due to the receptors for red colours in the eye being clustered in the area near the centre, where the sharpest images are formed, it is easily visible over long distances, even in conditions such as rain and fog.  This is why it is so effective when used to indicate danger.

Each colour has a different effect on people, sometimes subconsciously.  In our minds, red is associated with stopping.  In the workplace, for example, when we see a red warning sign we instinctively know to stop our task in hand.  On a UK motorway, a red X tells us that a lane is closed.  Red is used to warn the highest levels of danger, and it stimulates the strongest emotions of any colour.

Studies show that being exposed to or wearing red can cause some of the following physical effects:

• Elevated blood pressure
• Enhanced metabolism
• Increased heart rate
• Increased respiration rate

All of these physiological changes naturally cause your energy levels to spike.  As riders, we want to wear a colour that has the greatest visibility in order to help us be seen and stay safe when out hacking.  Seeing a horse and rider wearing red prompts an immediate positive response from drivers and other road users to slow down.

Nature’s Danger Warning

Some biologists say that nature uses red as a warning colour because it stands out most vividly against a green background.  Alternative theories as to why red is so effective are that we associate it with danger because it is the colour of fire and blood.  That said, warning signs in China have black borders on a yellow background, so red isn’t always the first choice for signalling danger.  Yellow and black, however, is also a strong colour combination.  It’s the colour of wasps and hornets, plus poisonous frogs and other species to be wary of.

Studies suggest that red is the most intense colour and provokes the strongest reaction, not only among humans but also other primates.  The next strongest colours are pink, orange, yellow and white.

Certain members of the animal kingdom go out of their way to inform others that they pose a threat, and some accomplish this through colour.  This characteristic is called aposematism and it concerns the contrast of the bright colour with another colour, usually black.

Take, for example, a skunk.  Its black body with a broad white stripe reminds others not to get too close.  A wasp’s colours signal a potential sting, and the brighter the ladybird, the higher its toxicity.  Studies show that white, yellow, red and black are the most effective warning colours brandished by animals.

In the same manner that signs caution motorists, colourful animal markings are nature’s way of saying ‘watch out’ – the very message that riders want to convey to motorists when they see us on the road.

COLOUR CODES

Red for STOP

Red is a very powerful colour; it symbolises love and passion, but it is also traditional for warning and danger; red alert, red card, red flag, seeing red. The association of the colour red with danger has been exemplified in many ways from ancient to modern times.

Yellow for CAUTION

Yellow is very visible and has been a favourite for riders for years.  It was first used for safety clothing in 1964; high-vis pink arrived in the equine market 35 years later.  One theory is that yellow is eye-grabbing because of its associations with the natural world.  Bees and wasps are yellow and black to signify how dangerous they are and to warn predators away.  Yellow makes our subconscious minds take notice.  Yellow’s visibility and its association with danger make it perfect for the tier of danger below red.  You can tell from a yellow sign that there is a potential hazard ahead, but you will notice the red signs first for immediate dangers.

Green for GO

Green is seen as a safe colour.  It symbolises life and therefore safety, and it is calming.  Green is for fire exits, first aid kits and the colour worn by paramedics, for example.  That is why green is go.

For more information on Equisafety, visit equisafety.com

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