Month: April 2017

The new Highway Code to keep road safety

Article R234-1 of the Highway Code now provides that the driver of a public transport vehicle, the driver in safety vest holds a probationary driver’s license (3 years after obtaining the permit or 2 years in case of solo driving) and the driver of a solo driving can be an offense of driving under the influence of alcohol from the threshold of 0.20 g of alcohol per liter of blood is 0.10 mg per liter of expired air. Previous thresholds were 0.50 grams per liter and 0.25 mg per liter (always applicable thresholds for other drivers). This is in fact the “zero alcohol” (750 possible fine, suspension of driving licenses 3 years max, 6-point reduction of the driving license, immobilization of vehicle possible).

 

Article R 412-6-1 of the Highway Code is changed. It prohibits, in addition to the use of a hand-held phone, wearing ear, by the driver of a vehicle in traffic, any device capable of emitting sound, except for devices electronic correctors’ deafness. Derogation is provided for drivers of priority vehicles of general interest, as well as for driving instruction including motorcycles.

 

This is actually the prohibition of phone headsets, hands-free kits and headphones of any kind that allow, for example, listen to music. This prohibition is applicable to cyclists and motorcyclists (drivers of a vehicle) (750 fine incurred, reduction of 3 points of the driving license). Drivers need to wear reflective clothing to keep visibility. Nothing Bluetooth kit inside the vehicle remains legal.

 

The rest of the information currently passing loop have more to brainwashing or “warmed” What indeed smoking, applying makeup, eating, listening to loud music, and other behaviors similarly, in a vehicle?

 

Article R 412-6 II of the Highway Code, already former, provides that: “Any driver must keep constantly in a state and in position to conveniently execute without delay all its obligations man½uvres. The possibilities of movement and field of vision must not be reduced by the number or position of passengers transported by objects or by affixing non-transparent objects on the windows”.

 

It is on the basis of this article that is sanctioned behaviors above. There is no novelty (max 150 fine, immobilizing the vehicle possible: case congested rear windows).

Moreover, since 1 January 2016, the bikers will have either on them or in storage of the vehicle, Reflective vest already imposed for drivers (high visibility vest).

Was also recently created a new sign ‘No entry’ level of arterial highways, identical to the other, but on square yellow background, to avoid misinterpretation.

 

Finally, as regards the prohibition of smoking in the presence of minors in the vehicle: the National Assembly voted this provision certainly recently, but it is not applicable because the law is not adopted permanently.

Safety equipment for cars

The safety car is not the case of Automobile Manufacturers. Drivers also have to meet certain regulatory requirements. Some safety features are also required by the rules of the road. But other elements, plus optional safety vest, can be very useful in case of breakdown or accident.

 

In recent years, car safety has improved considerably. Manufacturers have worked hard to make vehicles safer. They include enhanced passive safety elements: shock-absorbing body, improved handling, airbags … In fact, most security devices are supplied with the car (seat belts, spare wheel …). But this does not relieve the driver to obtain additional elements, some of which are even required.

 

The pre-warning triangle

Mandatory since 2008 in all vehicles, the emergency warning triangle is intended to make it more visible a stopped car, complementing the hazard lights. It is placed at least thirty meters before the location of the breakdown or accident, and must be visible at a hundred meters. This prevents other road users to avoid an accident. To be prescribed, the triangle must contain the words “E 27R”.

 

The reflective vest

Just as pre-warning triangle, reflective vest is mandatory since 2008. He is a fluorescent color vest (usually yellow or orange), equipped with reflective strips. It is very useful, especially at night, to signal the presence of a pedestrian to other motorists. It is visible at 300 meters.

 

The hands free

If you want to call while driving, you should equip yourself with a hands free kit. This is an atria system connected to the mobile phone, which, as the name suggests, to keep hands free. The hands free are not mandatory, but remember that it is forbidden to call driving without being equipped.

The baby seat

 

Again, all vehicles do not need to be provided with a baby seat, but you cannot carry a child less than 10 years without this equipment. Whatever the model, it should display the ECE R44 / 04. There are different types, depending on the age and weight of the child. From birth and up to 13 kilos, children travel rearward facing, in a semi-reclining position. From 9 kilos, or when they stand seated, they can travel forward facing, sitting. Child seat models are adapting to these specificities.

 

Other safety equipment

Apart from these regulatory facilities, there are number of more or less indispensable tools. One can find them easily in automotive specialist’s shelves. They are also sometimes presented as security suitcases, troubleshooting, emergency … in particular are advised to invest in a fire extinguisher (some countries have made it mandatory), type multipurpose powders to combat all types of lights. You can also opt for a box of bulbs to immediately repair a faulty fire. Some countries recommend other hand a first aid kit in case of accident (consisting of bandages, gauze, saline, antiseptic, flashlight or blanket). Finally, a puncture bomb can be very useful. In case of puncture, it is sufficient to inject the rubber foam by the valve of the inner tube. No need to change the flat tire at the time, which can be very useful if you are on a place of dangerous parking (including highway).

 

Did you know?

After making it compulsory for the vest and emergency warning triangle in 2008, the Committee for Road Safety has launched a major advertising campaign to educate French drivers. She staged the chic designer Karl Lagerfeld, who said, not without humor, the reflective vest “it’s yellow, it’s ugly, it’s not going with anything, but it can save your life.” Funny, and awfully good!

Prevention of safety vest before crackdown cyclists

The Strasbourg cyclists are encouraged to equip themselves with the arrival of winter. Lighting is mandatory remind the authorities, the protections of safety vest are highly recommended…

 

Fines could fall with the arrival of winter. The urban community, the public prosecutor and the national police have conducted an awareness campaign to cyclists (100,000 bicycles commuting identified, 12% of Strasbourg travel), Wednesday afternoon, on the deck of the Raven. Promoting livings together -cyclists, pedestrians, automobilists, remember the safety rules and mandatory equipment and announce the reinforcement of cyclists controls.

 

This Wednesday is so no verbalization but of prevention. And that’s good for this father carrying his daughter on the rack and son on the handlebars of his bike. If its lighting equipment is regulations, this behavior does not leave insensitive municipal police that control. All three leave on foot.

 

“See and be seen”

Geraldine, she leaves the deck of the Raven with small lamps distributed during this awareness campaign. The cycle of the young woman had many lights but no reflectors and other reflective material. It also accepts good to burn his bike. “I do not know if it will change anything but I prefer to do it, I’m already fly me four or five bikes,” says cyclist makes daily Kutenai-Les to work and moves only two -Wheels.

 

“See and be seen is essential for their protection and that of others,” says Michel, the prosecutor indicating the return of “repression adapted to remind cyclists the reality of things.” “The undervalued fines have had some effect, said Alain Winter, deputy regional director of public safety. In 2012, in 62% of cases, cyclists were responsible for the accident in which they were involved.”

 

The prosecutor incentive to operate a helmet and clothing with a reflective vest (mandatory open road and when there is a defect agglomeration visibility). He ton when he lists “careless and unaware” of cyclists that circulate with headphones on ears, calling or burn a fire or do not stop at a stop sign.

A motorcycle protective reflective vest

Italian Clover markets a wide range of protective equipment for motorcycle and scooter. With SW reflective vest, it offers an innovative alternative to conventional and jackets: the garment can be worn alone or in summer-like winter jacket, improving comfort and safety…

 

If we take turns regularly latest innovations in equipment motorcycle and scooter, Italian Clover had so far escaped our watch. A failure that we offset today with the presentation new technical apparel “SW” which is brings an innovation on the wind segment motorcycle jacket. It comes in effect as a “protective vest” all seasons.

 

In summer, its coating in 3D Mesh provides maximum ventilation. This is the case in front of course, but also on the sides and back through the integration of channels responsible for disseminating the airflow uniformly. As temperatures decrease, the garment can be worn over a jacket or reflective jacket due to its elastic lateral adjustment. This will continue to take advantage of its strengths.

 

In practical terms, the vest Clover SW is equipped with 4 large front pockets that facilitate the storage of everyday items. But its security that has the most to offer, as evidenced by the wide Reflective insert that covers the shoulders and upper back. More discreet pocket for back protector allows embedding a certified model EC level 1 or 2, as the Clover Back Pro 3 or Pro 5…

 

Without revolution, this Italian innovation helps diversify the choice for protection. It is marketed in the network of resellers Clover and on the web in color black / neon yellow and black full in a wide range of sizes (S to 4XL). Its rate of € 99.99 is still high facing the Spade Aristech Armor, which is equipped with reflective material sleeves and protections elbows and shoulders for the same price!

Fluorescent jacket: Towards a 2nd class ticket

The National Road Safety Council has just made its recommendation on the retro reflective vest motorcycle. Required (at least under the seat), do not wear it if need be fined in the amount of 35 €.

 

The NSRF therefore comes to shell its recommendations to the Ministry of Interior. Unsurprisingly, the new (not so new) one size of license plates and the transport of a retro reflective vest the Optional Port will figure prominently.

 

Even sanction an oversight flashing

It is by the end of the year that the recommendations will be, or not transposed into legislation, but the NSRF therefore formally proposed this morning that the obligation to have a retro-reflective jacket to be extended bikers and scooter riders.

 

Article R416-19 of the Highway Code

“The driver must be of a high visibility vest complies with regulations when it is brought out of a stationary vehicle on the road or its surroundings after an emergency stop. In traffic, the driver must have this vest at hand. ”

Warning, if no penalty will be applicable in case of non-presentation of this vest during a check, the non-use when necessary can be suppressed, as for motorists, with a fine.

 

To date, this is a 4th class fine but the NSRF proposes lowering it to a second class. Either 35 € fine for any motorcyclist or scooter driver which would not vest retro reflective is following an accident or an emergency stop. As much as a change of direction without blinking, it’s really dangerous act, very common and rarely (never?)

 

We will monitor the implementation of these proposals in the coming months, as the reactions of manufacturers, who already had to get rid of stocks armbands made for France before the cancellation of the project.

Dressing?

 

The 4 mandatory retro-reflective stickers on the helmet (under penalty of € 135 fine) are there to provide nighttime visibility of the biker when he is not on his motorcycle. Under such conditions, it therefore surprising that wearing the vest with a reflective vest in case of emergency stop is extended to motorcyclists. Unless it is considered bad mind to think that yellow waistcoat in the pipes for years, needs to be carefully imposed, regardless of what the moaners and statistics.

A child safety vest available with Auto Plus

To increase the visibility of your child during his trips, Auto Plus offers until September 12, a safety vest in his back number.

 

We have seen recently with an investigation by the Opinion way institute for Insurers Association Prevention : the path our children to school can be full of pitfalls, even when our kids are accompanied by a relative (75% of parents admit to having had risky behavior in the street, in school or extracurricular trips, in the presence of their children). Given this situation more and disturbing, Auto Plus is to ensure their safety and put up sheltered from danger.

 

The essential of the season!

In his re-entry number (1356), on newsstands until Friday, September 12, your favorite magazine, in partnership with insurers Prevention, offers indeed acquire a “yellow vest” that will make your child more visible in the eyes of drivers, especially when they want to cross the road.

 

Conforms to safety standards EN 1150, fluorescent, with two wide reflective stripes, this vest Velcro closure is perfectly tailored for children aged six to ten years. Essential!

 

To get this valuable safety reflective vest, go so fast in kiosks. It will be sold in exchange for 3.95 € in addition to the 1356 issue of Auto Plus.

Cycling: Helmets and safety vest will be compulsory

Until now equip their child with a helmet, safety vest or not for a bike output fell under personal assessment of the parents. As of March 22, 2017 things will change because according to a decree published in the Official Journal on 22 December 2016 it is stated:

“Outstanding, the driver and passenger of a cycle, if they are aged under 12 should be wearing a helmet complies with the regulations on personal protective equipment. This helmet must be attached.”

 

The Ministry of the Interior states:

“Pursuant to Action # 16 of the Inter Committee for Road Safety 2 October 2015 to reduce the severity of injuries to the face and the risks of head injuries of children practicing cycling, bike helmet and reflective clothing is compulsory for children (drivers or passengers) under 12 years.”

 

In the last 5 years are 1178 children under twelve who were involved in a bicycle accident. 26 were killed, 442 were injured and hospitalized, 665 were injured slightly and only 45 escaped unharmed.

 

In the EU, many countries have already applied the mandatory helmet.

Up to 10 years Malta

12 years: Austria, Latvia

To 15 years: Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden

Up to 16: Spain, Croatia, Estonia

Until 18 years: Czech Republic, Lithuania

 

The decree issued yesterday will be effective within three months so that families can be equipped properly. Adults carrying or accompanying children not wearing helmets or reflective vest will face a ticket 90 Euros.

 

Cyclists beware: today, mandatory safety vest for you

“It’s yellow, it’s ugly, it’s not going with anything, but it can save your life”: this goes for you too, dear cyclists! This evening, the yellow vest is mandatory for bicycles, night and / or open road.

 

The basic principle is: See and be seen!

There is much talk of the vest and warning triangle, mandatory for motorists since 1 July (for violations, you will verbalized until 1 October).

 

Cyclists they too are affected by the “extent Reflective vest” mandatory today open road and at night. If the day the visibility is bad (rain, fog, snow …), you are also required to wear. You have the choice between yellow and orange vest: both are approved. They only have the CE and EN 471.

 

What you risk for violations

As for motorists, the offense will be fined until 1 October: if you are not wearing your safety vest in the conditions listed, you risk a fine of 35 Euros. Cheaper than for motorists: for them, the ticket is 90 Euros (minus fine) and 135 Euros (plus).

 

It is useful to remember that the helmet and good lighting is also essential to ensure your safety. The law already requires cyclists equip their bicycles with front and rear lights and reflectors on the pedals, but it is clear that the authorities turn a blind eye. This is intolerable: many people have grazed the accident but who still refuse to equip!

 

The need to equip not gained followers among some associations

According to Cecile Petit, it’s Delegate for Road Safety: “The majority of accidents occur when visibility is low. 20% of cyclists are killed or injured at night, at dawn or dusk.”

 

Despite this, the Association Cubic up to the plate by blaming among manufacturers: “the problem is the bike manufacturers do not put good lighting, should be required to more demands,” says his President Christophe Raved.

 

The association regrets this measure, “is an unnecessary obstacle to bike development.” The enthusiasm for cycling is such a simple reflective vest will not hinder the new bicycle! Cecile Petit replied in turn that “the State shall protect road users, and the stress is minimal.”

 

Some bike manufacturers certainly abusing lights quality of their products, but we need every cyclist takes in hand to move intelligently, without endangering themselves. No longer be assisted!

Bicycle helmet and vest is compulsory for children

The government measure imposing helmet and safety vest aims to educate adults about their responsibilities and the risks if they do not apply it.

 

A fine of 90 Euros if the child is not wearing a bicycle helmet

As of March 22, 2017, children under 12 must wear a helmet when they will practice cycling. The decree published in the Official Gazette of December 22, is aimed at young drivers and young passengers traveling on the bike with an adult. In case of non-compliance, the parents or the person responsible for the child will face a fourth class fine amounting to 90 Euros.

 

The government website provides figures whose results are clear: “The helmet reduces the risk of serious head injury by 70%, the risk of minor injury by 31% and the risk of facial injury by 28%.” It also highlights the vulnerability of younger (children under 6 years): “Wearing a helmet and reflective tape drastically reduces the risk of loss of consciousness: more than 10 km / h it goes from 98% in the case of a non 0.1% for a helmeted head.”

 

The helmet must be marked EC

As for the helmet, it must meet important criteria: it must be approved and marked CE. It necessarily has three distinct layers: a cap (outdoor), a padding located under the cap for absorbing impact shock and cushioning comfort. It must also offer good visibility and allow wearing glasses.

 

There is other obligations equipment. The bicycle must be equipped with a buzzer, to front and rear brakes, a reflective tape on the pedals and lights at both ends. In case of night traffic, cyclists must wear a self-reflective vest. Moreover, the government website emphasizes the role of parents” through the example “teach their children to be equipped.”It was found that the helmet equipped children parents are already inclined to wear themselves.”