SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Springfield police are urging pedestrians and bicyclists to make themselves easier to see as daylight saving time ends Nov. 1 and darkness arrives earlier in the evening.

The Springfield Police Department issued the reminder along with advice to set clocks back an hour and to change or check the batteries in smoke detectors.

Police Superintendent Lawrence E. Akers urged people walking or biking to wear bright colors or reflective vests and to "never assume a driver sees you or will stop."

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno also urged pedestrians to use crosswalks and said drivers "need to be aware of their surroundings and not speed."

According to the department, bicycles must have a white front light visible for 500 feet, a red rear reflector, and pedal or ankle reflectors. Side reflectors are required either on the bicycle or on the rider's clothing, the department said. Cyclists must follow the same rules of the road as drivers, police said, except that they may pass on the right.

For pedestrians, police recommended wearing brightly colored clothing and hats, crossing at crosswalks and intersections, and crossing under a streetlight where no crosswalk is available. The department also said people should make eye contact with drivers before crossing, even in a crosswalk, rather than assuming a driver has seen them or will stop.

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