16 Tips For Commuting Safely In The Dark

Commuting in the dark is an unavoidable reality for many, particularly those working in the night-time economy. For others, it becomes a concern during the winter months, as shorter days mean even more of us have to complete everyday activities such as commuting and exercising in the dark.

Travelling in the dark presents a specific set of risks, including increased crime rates, fewer people around and reduced visibility. 4 out of 5 people feel more unsafe when it’s dark in public spaces which leads them to actively avoid certain places or change their behaviour in an attempt to feel safer.

There is often a tendency to overlook hazards in familiar settings or after a long busy day, but not paying attention to your surroundings can have serious implications. Here is our advice for commuting to and from work safely in the dark:  

1. Plan Your Route Beforehand

If you’re travelling to a new destination, using a different form of transport, or taking an unfamiliar route, it’s important to plan ahead. Practice the route during daylight hours if possible and double-check your directions before setting off.

Give yourself plenty of time to avoid the need to rush which can make you distracted and less aware of your surroundings.

If you get lost or need to look for directions, find a public place e.g. a supermarket, fast food restaurant, or transport hub to stop safely and check your route. Avoid wandering aimlessly as this can make you more vulnerable to threats.

2. Avoid Rushing

Rushing can make you distracted and less aware of your surroundings, increasing your vulnerability to potential dangers. To avoid this, plan ahead so you can leave with plenty of time and avoid the need to rush.

Walking calmly and with focus helps you stay alert, reducing the risk of accidents or dangerous situations. It also gives you the opportunity to assess your surroundings and respond quickly if something feels off.

3. Make Someone Aware of Your Route

Let your colleagues know if you’ll be walking or getting public transport into the office and when you should arrive. If possible, exchange mobile numbers with a trusted colleague so that you can let someone know if there is an issue.

Having someone know your estimated arrival time means that they can send help if you fail to arrive when expected and having someone know your route means that in the event of an emergency, they will have an idea of where you may be.

You could also utilise technology by sharing your location via your phone with trusted contacts, which could be a friend, family member or co-worker. There’s also a safety app feature called Travelsafe (more on this in tip #14).

4. Be Cautious with Ride-Sharing Services and Taxis

Using taxis or ride-sharing services can be a convenient and safe way to get home at night, but research from the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and Peoplesafe for National Personal Safety Day 2024 revealed that some licensing authorities have granted taxi licenses to drivers with convictions, including for violent crimes. So, while you may feel safe once in your taxi, it’s important to stay alert throughout your journey.

Before entering the vehicle, ask the taxi rider who they are picking up rather than telling them your name to confirm they are genuinely working for the company you have booked with, then check that the car registration plate, driver’s photo, and name match the details on your booking. If you’re not comfortable with the driver or the vehicle, trust your instincts and cancel the ride.

5. Walk With Confidence

Keep your head up and walk at a steady pace, don’t be afraid to make eye contact with passers-by – this makes you less of a target to potential attackers as you will seem confident and self-assured. Try to avoid doing things that make you look nervous or intimidated.

Studies show that people who look confident give potential attackers the impression that they would put up a fight and are therefore less likely to be targeted. Walking calmly and with focus helps you stay alert and gives you the opportunity to assess your surroundings and respond quickly if necessary.

6. Choose Appropriate Clothing

Choosing appropriate clothing and footwear is not only important for comfort but also for safety. Sensible shoes such as flats or trainers will allow you to make a quick getaway, should it be needed. If you wear other shoes at work, these can be left at the office or carried in a bag. For women and men with long hair, it’s advisable to avoid wearing it in a ponytail, as this can be easier for an attacker to grab.

Sensible clothing also includes weather-appropriate extras, such as an umbrella. Checking the weather beforehand can help you avoid spending unnecessary time sheltering under a dark bus stop in the rain and prolonging your journey.

7. Wear Bright Clothing or Reflective Bands

When commuting, risks are not limited to suspicious people. Areas with low visibility can be prone to accidents involving vehicles and bikes. Wearing reflective or brightly coloured clothing allows drivers and bikers to see you as you walk along, particularly in areas without streetlights.

A torch or headlight can also help drivers see you if there are dark stretches of road on your route. If you don’t own a torch, most mobile phones can be used as torches to provide an additional source of light or means to be seen.

8. Stick to Public Areas Where You Can Be Seen

Don’t be tempted to take shortcuts through woods, alleyways, fields, or parkland. Areas with fewer members of the public, fewer streetlights, and more places for a potential aggressor to hide increase the risk of danger and should be avoided where possible. Instead, opt for a longer route with more lighting and more people around who could help in an emergency.

9. Stay Aware of Your Surroundings and Limit Distractions

Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, stand straight up, look ahead, and pay attention to what is going on around you. If you wear headphones, ensure your volume is at a reasonable level and keep one earbud out so that you can still hear any potential dangers, such as someone walking or driving up behind you.

Keep your phone accessible in case you need to call for help, but don’t let it distract you. When walking, avoid watching a video or playing a game; when commuting on public transport, stay vigilant by regularly looking up from the screen to check your surroundings.

10. Walk In the Direction of Oncoming Traffic

Always walk facing traffic so you can see cars and other vehicles coming towards you. This ensures you’ll be aware if there’s an accident ahead and vehicles can’t pull up behind you. It also limits the risk of being hit by a vehicle as you can step out of the way if you see something coming towards you.

11. Avoid Carrying Lots of Bags

Keep your hands as free as possible, so that you can react if needed. Being weighed down makes you an easier target for those looking to cause harm. If you have things to carry, put these in as few bags as possible and use a backpack or bag with a strap to keep your hands free.

12. Keep Your Valuables Hidden

Don’t walk around with expensive jewellery or gadgets out on display as this could make you a target. Smartphone theft in particular is on the rise, with 78,000 phones stolen annually in the UK, so keep yours out of obvious sight to avoid becoming a target for thieves who are largely opportunistic and may turn violent.

13. Keep Your Keys Close

Always keep your keys close at hand when you are travelling alone: this could be in a pocket, at the top of a bag, or in your hand. Many smaller crimes are not pre-meditated and the sight of someone spending prolonged time struggling to find something in their bag or coat is an ideal target for a criminal.

14. Lock Your Car Once Inside

Once inside your vehicle, lock the doors immediately and drive away as soon as it’s safe to do so. Unlocked cars or hesitation when getting in can create an opportunity for someone to approach or even enter your vehicle. It’s important to stay alert and avoid distractions, such as fiddling with your phone or other items, which can leave you vulnerable to a potential threat while you’re still in the process of getting settled.

15. Carry a Personal Alarm

Over a million free personal safety apps have been downloaded by people taking personal safety into their own hands. These apps typically rely on family or friends to respond in an emergency, but professional alarms and apps provide an added layer of protection. These services are linked to a monitoring centre (ARC) that responds to any alarms raised, offering quicker and more reliable assistance.

If your employer has already issued you a personal safety device or app, always carry it with you and ensure it’s fully charged for the duration of your journey. If you haven’t been provided with one but feel unsafe due to work-related activities, for example, commuting, talk to your employer about implementing a personal safety service, such as Peoplesafe.

Remember if you feel unsafe and have a personal safety device or personal safety app then activate it, even if nothing has happened yet. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

16. Trust Your Instincts

When commuting in the dark, trust your gut. If you feel like a situation is not right, don’t take any chances. Cross the road, change your route, or walk as quickly as possible to a well-lit public place. Here you can call a friend or family member, or a taxi to help you get home safely. If you’re in a situation or environment where you feel unsafe or scared, it is essential to remove yourself from the situation and, if you need it, find help.

While following these tips will increase your safety while commuting in the dark, it’s essential to be aware of your surroundings and take safety precautions no matter where or when you walk alone. For further advice on staying safe when walking to work, you may want to read this article on what to do if you are being followed.