As the darker months settle in, ROV Zuid-Holland is running its ON campaign to remind everyone to stay visible in traffic. The campaign runs from 27 October 2024 to 31 March 2025 and highlights how something as simple as switching on your lights can make a real difference to safety.
The word “aan” in Dutch means “on” or “switched on” – and that’s the message behind this campaign: make sure your lights are on. Whether you’re cycling, walking, or driving, visibility saves lives.
ROV Zuid-Holland stands for Regionaal Orgaan Verkeersveiligheid Zuid-Holland, which translates to Regional Road Safety Organisation South Holland. It is a collaboration between the Province of South Holland and the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague. The organisation works to make safe and responsible traffic behaviour the norm and to reduce the number of road casualties through education, awareness and local partnerships.
Good bicycle lighting can reduce the risk of a collision in the dark by up to 20 percent. Yet in South Holland, every day, 24 people do not return home safely because of traffic accidents. The ON campaign encourages everyone to take small but effective steps to make themselves visible — and to look out for others.
According to Kom Veilig Thuis (translated as “Get Home Safely”), many cyclists still ride without proper lighting. Common reasons include forgetting to turn lights on, dead batteries, broken lamps, or theft. The campaign stresses that lighting isn’t only for cyclists to see where they’re going, but also so that motorists and other road users can see them clearly.
Here are some simple tips to improve your visibility and safety:
- Check the lights on your bicycle or scooter regularly and make sure they are switched on.
- Clean the visor of your helmet to maintain a clear view.
- Keep car windows and headlights clean so you can see and be seen.
- When walking or running in the dark, wear light-coloured or reflective clothing.
Visibility applies to everyone — cyclists, scooter riders, car drivers and pedestrians alike. Reflective accessories, LED strips and bright clothing all help you stand out in low light conditions, especially during the long winter months.
For more practical advice and campaign details (in Dutch), visit www.verkeersveiligzuidholland.nl or www.komveiligthuis.nl/fietsverlichting.
Text: The Hague Online
Translation of the campaign image: “See and Be Seen”
Blue circles – Fixed lights (may not flash)
• Front light on the bike (white or yellow)
Red circles – Removable lights (may not flash)
• Front light on the chest (white or yellow)
• Rear light on the back (red)
Yellow circles – Reflectors
• Red reflector at the rear (not triangular)
• Reflector on wheel (white or yellow)
• Four reflectors on pedals (yellow)
For more about the rules and potential fines for not using correct bike lighting (in Dutch): https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/fiets/vraag-en-antwoord/wat-zijn-de-regels-voor-fietsverlichting-en-reflectie-op-een-fiets