Walking your dog in the dark: how to stay safe

The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October 2026, so more walks will be in the dark. These tips come from PDSA, Dogs Trust and the Highway Code.

6 tips for dark walks

Walk in daylight when you can
PDSA's vet advice is that daylight walks are best. When that isn't possible, make sure drivers can see you both.
Make yourself visible
Wear bright clothing or a high-visibility jacket. The Highway Code says drivers using headlights can see reflective materials up to three times as far away as non-reflective ones.
Make your dog visible
Use a reflective collar and lead, a high-visibility dog coat, or an LED collar or tag.
Keep your dog on a lead near roads
Use a short, strong lead and a well-fitting collar. Only let your dog off the lead in a safe, well-lit area that's fenced off from roads.
Keep your dog away from the traffic
Walk with your dog on the side furthest from the road. If there's no pavement, walk on the right-hand side of the road so you can see oncoming traffic.
Cross roads calmly
Ask your dog to sit and wait at the kerb. When they're calm and the road is clear, say "walk" and cross together.

Follow the steps in our lost dog guide: search the area, then call your council's dog warden and your microchip database.

Whoever finds your dog can scan the QR plate with their phone camera and message you and share their location, whatever the time.