Month: April 2018

Keep reflective vest in snow days

Obligatory cleaning of cars from ice and snow, pedestrians with reflective vest and the possibility to ride a cyclist even on a full line – these are the changes that the amendment to the Road Traffic Act wants to bring. We have released some planned rules for cyclists, said MF DNES chief BESIP Martin.

 

What sanctions do pedestrians do when they do not have reflective material, and drivers in the case of an unclean car from snow and ice?

In the case of non-cleaned vehicles, there is a penalty of up to two thousand crowns in place, in the case of administrative proceedings up to CZK 2,500. As far as the pedestrian duty is concerned, there will also be sanctions there, but there is mainly an accident investigation on steps. That makes it easier for decision-makers to make decisions.

 

Must it be a duty to clear snow and ice from a car strictly defined in the law, if, according to our debaters, it can be penalized for this day? Is not it unnecessary denial of drivers?

I read the posts in the discussion under the article and I think that one who cleans the car and does not have a problem with it must say that it is nonsense because we are introducing a thing that is clear. However, just such a person does not limit the amendment. And the person who does not do that should learn from it and take the best of it. This is not about doing something to anyone. It is the result of a work that is based on a practice where there has always been a discussion whether snow and ice on the car are all right or not.

 

Of course, it is said that the instrument is in the law, but the police have a big problem in enforcing it. If it is precisely defined what is to be done with the vehicle before the ride, such as scraping the windows to provide a good view of the vehicle, which is one of the most important elements of active safety, it is absolutely well-founded. It is very unpleasant to drive a vehicle in front of you in winter, which has a higher layer of snow on the roof and gradually drops off at higher speeds. And because there was a discussion about whether the driver is in the way of looking at the fragrant tree on the mirror or something else at the window, then I personally think that a strict definition will help what we all want, and that is to make the operation safer and keeping the road safety.

 

I would like to emphasize that all these are just considerations because it is not a law signed by the President, but a proposal in inter-departmental proceedings. Therefore, it is not a loose coin, and the other thing is whether it will finally come out in the law.

How can I be seen without a reflective vest

Walking in the darkness of the street without having a reflective vest is not safe today. Not only can you hit a car, but you could also get a fine. But what if you do not want to wear a reflective vest? Alternatives are reflex sprays that can be used for clothing, metal and animals.

 

In the dark, with reflective elements only

In February of this year, an amendment to the Road Traffic Act came into force, which many of you and especially those who enjoy taking evening strolls for the city, have surely registered. For pedestrians traveling at the side or on the edge of the road outside the village in low visibility (where there is no public lighting), they are required to wear a reflective vest.

 

Decreased visibility is not only darkness, but also darkness or fog. The purpose of the regulation is clear – to prevent the impending collision of a pedestrian with a passing car. Pedestrians who violate this regulation are subject to a fine of up to CZK 2,000. When the reflective elements are said to be, you will probably recall the neat, lustrous yellow or orange hi vis vest, which is an obligatory part of the first aid kit. Fortunately, the law does not require wearing it directly, but it is said to be sufficient for any visible retro reflective material – a reflector that reflects light.

 

You can buy a reflex tape, for example. It protects you against the fine, but because of its modest size, it does not face all the dangers of road traffic. A more sophisticated alternative is the ALBEDO100 Reflective Spray (available at the 4MS.cz e-shop), with which you can produce a reflective element almost everything. Various types of reflex sprays are available, which can be applied to different materials.

 

Classic are reflex sprays for textiles, which can be used for clothes, shoes or for a bag or backpack. Although waterproof, it can be washed without any problems in the machine. You can also get different templates for reflex sprays, which make the mandatory reflective material, transform into a stylish adornment.

 

ALBEDO100 also produces reflective sprays for metal, wood and plastic, suitable for example for bicycles, prams, helmets, but also for fences or winches. Color is resistant to sunlight, wind, and rain, but does not damage the surface. Those who are afraid of their pets at night would be able to use waterproof reflex sprays for animals that can be easily washed with shampoo.

The police cycling museum highlights the missing reflectors

A two-member police cycling tour, which takes part in the preventive event in the South Moravian Region, bikers most often draw attention to the missing reflective vests. ČTK said the police preventer Rocha. Today, cyclists were able to meet in Becalm region.

 

The patrol on business bicycles within the event runs throughout the territory of the South Moravian Region. Cyclists highlight the correct wheel alignment, visibility, and safe road traffic rules. Cyclists have been able to meet her before, for example, around Rocha.

 

“When we go to the event, we will drive about 20 to 30 kilometers a day, but we stop very much and talk to people,” Rocha said. With cyclists trying to talk about safe movement along the cycle path, considerations, discuss with them the mandatory equipment. “We all recommend a bicycle helmet, although adults are not obliged to do it, and they are very pleased to use it in most cases, and most of the mandatory equipment is lacking orange hi vis vest in wheelbase,” said a police officer. These reflectors are also missing from some new wheels that are otherwise fully equipped.

 

Since it is prevention, the patrol is only a positive response from a police officer. And even those who do not have a good round will receive a smaller gift, such as a reflective tape or a stick or a leaflet. “Do not forget to miss something on the bike,” she said.

 

The bicycle park does not forget pedestrians, which also emphasize the importance of safe movement and the importance of reflective material. It should ride along the paths of the South Moravian Region around early September.

Police officers give fines to invisible pedestrians

People still do not wear reflective vest for the visibility at night, or they are not positioned properly and are not visible in all directions. The obligation to wear reflexive elements outside of the village has been in force since February. The police have already switched from penalties to fines. The offense for this offense is up to 2000 crowns.

 

Unmarked and poorly visible pedestrians make up a significant proportion of people killed on roads in October. The tenth month of the year, according to the statistics so far, has been the worst month for the last six years. On October, he demanded 56 dead people on the roads. Of this, the police record 13 killed pedestrians, the visibility in these accidents played a very important role, said the traffic police director Tomas. The current number killed on domestic roads is three fatalities higher than the total number in the same period last year.

 

The most risky period for pedestrians is, according to Larch, just before us, the most pedestrian accident statistically accounted for November. Reasons are several. The most important role, however, is the changing weather. Drivers, for example, do not realize that the road grip changes significantly during the day may be local frosts in the morning, or there may be a poorly visible traffic sign that may be partly covered with snow or mud.

 

Pedestrians can avoid any accidents, among other things, by seeing them in time. According to the head of the Bezique Department, Martin Reflective, reflective elements are suitable to wear especially on the lower half of the body. The lights of the car light up, the pedestrian’s feet first. This extends the time the driver has to respond to when he or she sees a shining reflective tape or other object.

 

Together with the advent of autumn, Larch had ceased to tolerate the police when pedestrians out of the village were not visibly visually impaired. The fine for this offense is up to 2000 crowns. For example, people mistakenly think that reflective elements must only be in the dark. But it is not accurate, because the signs must be visible in the dark even at dawn or after sunset.

 

In the mist, it is also appropriate to have a light source, such as an electric flashlight, the Farrar said. It is not mandatory, it’s just a safety recommendation just like wearing hi vis clothing that is noticeably better visible than dark colors.

The safety vest is not obligatory from Saturday

This Saturday, February 20, will enter into force an amendment to the Road Traffic Act, which introduces a pedestrian obligation to wear a reflective vest if it moves out of the village alongside the road under reduced visibility. Initially, the police will give away the reflective tapes.

 

The aim is primarily to prevent serious and fatal accidents caused by the fact that the pedestrian was not sufficiently visible on the road. Between 2012 and 2015, 523 pedestrians died, of which 303 at night. Only last year died 72 people who were not seen at night.

 

“The driver who meets the pedestrian in black at night is about 18 meters long for an adequate response. At a speed of about 70 km / h, it has only less than a second to perform the appropriate maneuver and to avert the collision, “says Tomas of the Ministry of Transport. “ If the pedestrian is equipped with a reflective element, the distance to which the driver is able to recognize the pedestrian (reflective object) up to 200 meters is increased. This distance already gives him enough space to keep the pedestrians safely at 70 km / h.”

 

The obligation to wear reflective clothing is valid from Saturday for pedestrians in those cases when it moves out of the village in low visibility (ie not at night, but also in clouds, fogs, etc.) on the roadside or on the edge of the road in a place not illuminated public lighting. “From the point of view of our own safety, however, it is of course good to use reflexive elements where there is a danger that the driver cannot safely recognize the pedestrian,” Enfold adds.

 

“You definitely do not have to wear a reflective vest, just a good complement of retro-reflective material of a distinctive color (eg yellow, light green, orange, etc.) that is visible to other road users. Ideal for example is a reflective strap placed on the leg or hands (ideally on both limbs) toward the road,” Enfold advises. “Instead of granting sanctions, the police patrols will be more likely to talk to people and give them reflective tapes and bags to keep the law from breaking and moving safely on the road,” adds Tomas.

 

The MF DNES test has proven that the pedestrian with the classic torch is best visible to the driver. Unfortunately, the flashlight is not a reflective element and does not comply with the law. Theoretically, for example, a pedestrian can get a fine instead of a reflective tape.

People from the towns carry the reflective elements

Since February 20, there are mandatory reflective elements on Czech roads outside the village and under impaired visibility. In addition, just in the autumn, when it diminishes before, and the morning mists are normal, the ordinary reflective tape can save the pedestrian’s life. However, according to Basil, people are more often used in cities where they are not required by law.

 

For the first nine months, the police have recorded 516 pedestrian traffic accidents for reduced visibility. 38. Police statistics, however, are no longer tracking whether they had any reflective elements in the accident. Compared to the same period of last year, it is one less.

 

People wear reflective tape mainly in cities and are only required outside the community. Citizens of larger cities often get reflective subjects at various promotions aimed at road safety. However, people from small villages are not getting such a thing, so they are skeptical to wear reflective tapes, according to Martin. “One tells me that she already has three in her drawer, and that she does not wear it anymore,” he says.

 

Transportation psychologist Michal Walter then claims that people from small villages do not know how many times to buy. “In small villages, people have some shops where it cannot be bought. Therefore, they only have the opportunity to buy a hypermarket into a big city, “says Walter. According to him, they should distribute reflexive tapes free of charge to municipal authorities.

 

In the autumn, it is often during the morning and during the day of mist. In such weather, the reflex tape can help the safety of the pedestrian. The pedestrian with the reflective element is definitely better visible on the road in the fog than the one who has only colored clothing, as Martin. “And it can be wearing black or white clothes, it’s basically not one. The driver of such a pedestrian sees at the last moment. If such a pedestrian is equipped with a reflective accessory and does not matter whether it is a ribbon or any other reflex add-on, it increases its chances for the driver to see it for a much longer distance.

The police expelled the deaf-eyed foreigners

The police expelled two Ukrainians who went to Piles between cars at a junction and tried to play the drivers in the city. The paper had been written that they were deaf-monkeys, suffered from existential need, and each sold-out reflective tape for clothing at least 40 crowns helped them survive hard times.

 

A man in a vest with a reflective stripe clicked on the window of the car standing in front of the junction. There was a paper in his hand, he is not a beggar, but a deaf-eater in need, who will help him buy a reflex tape or a sticker for 40 crowns. When he failed at one car, he went to the next. A pair of men last Friday to drive around stand cars at one of the busiest intersections in Piles. The wagons intertwined until the green lights turned green. However, the chauffeurs did not leave it to themselves and the police officer with human solidarity to warn the officers. The man’s patrol was still spotted.

 

“When a police officer called for identity, the men presented the passports of Ukraine. They refused to communicate with the patrol and began shouting to indicate that they were deaf, “said police spokesman Jana. At a time when the police officers wanted documents that they had permission to sell souvenirs, men stopped answering questions. The case was taken over by the Alien Police. For both foreigners it was the last thing they did to us. The police have expelled them from engaging in unauthorized gainful employment.

 

“They violated the conditions for stay in the Czech Republic, they had tourist visas. Now they have to travel to their country, “Martina Koran, regional police spokeswoman, explained. No one wanted to confirm whether the two men were actually physically handicapped as they tried to persuade the driver.

 

However, everything indicates that disability was pretending. Apparently, they just upgraded the trick of the Romanians, who in the past had been a deaf earner of money for UNICEF projects. Three years ago, police officers in reflective vest revealed several times in collecting money for non-existent charity projects.

Nine tips to avoid the most common faults of your car

A report from RACE points out that the main cause of most of the breakdowns is the poor maintenance of the vehicles. According to a report by the Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE), the failure of the batteries, the problems with tires, traffic accidents, engine failures, and damage to the pump or diesel injectors are the main causes of assistance on the highway.

 

That is why RACE reminds drivers that they must comply with periodic inspections and ensure that the vehicle is in perfect condition when it comes to taking a trip. To avoid these faults, RACE offers the following recommendations:

– Before starting the vehicle, check the oil and antifreeze levels, as well as the battery, tire pressure and tread.

– Check that you have the obligatory elements, such as the emergency triangle and the reflective vest.

– Avoid traveling at rush hour, as far as possible, and check traffic incidents.

– When you are ready to travel, distribute the cargo evenly and make sure that the objects will not fly in case of impact.

– Rest of the driving and let the car rest a few minutes every two hours or 200 kilometers.

– Respect the rules of the road and do not let your guard down when you have little left to reach your destination.

– Keep the safety distance and anticipate the danger with enough time.

– If you are going to drive at night, check the headlights and safety clothing, adapt their height to the load and increase the safety distance.

– In the event of an accident, the PAS behavior applies (protect, advise and rescue).

Know the reality to face it

One of the editors of the newspaper INFORM participated as a volunteer in the “Homeless Meet Up” campaign, the European initiative that took place in Alicante on 21 and 22 November. Once I hung up the reflective vest, I went out to the doors of the CAI to talk with those who had decided to use their Tuesday night to do a count of homeless people: nothing more and nothing less than a team of two hundred volunteers.

 

Among them, I found the gratitude to the volunteer of Julia Angelo, who recently has left the command of the Department of Social Action. With the appreciation for the accuracy of these new data of Carmen, worker of this same council; or with the activism of Linda Stein, an English woman who has already participated in the recounts of this campaign held in other cities such as London or Valencia. “In particular, the data we managed to collect in Valencia allowed us to start acting in a different way,” Stein explained.

 

Groups were formed headed by a leader familiar with the “homeless” environment. Each one was assigned an area of ​​action between thirty-three neighborhoods of the city of Alicante, and with a flashlight and a map, we started.

 

In my group, there were several students of Social Integration of Figures Pacheco, 2 workers of different NGOs wear yellow vest and an old homeless. The latter, who has already managed to bring his life back to normal, was a key piece for his great experience in the environment. Putting oneself in the shoes of those who do not have a roof to cover themselves is not an easy or precise exercise if it has not been there. The first day, Tuesday 21, we found an improvised plastic awning near the outer corner of a football field. We approached and received Carlos, a man in his forties who had already caught the dream. We talked to him, he told us how many there were and we made an appointment to talk the next day.

 

Once again, on Wednesday the 22, all the volunteers went out to sweep the streets to learn about the reality of the homeless. In addition, there we were, sitting on the cardboard that Carlos, his wife, his uncle and his uncle’s wife used as carpet between their two tents. All of them were waiting for us with open arms and eager to tell us their situation. We listened attentively while filling out a questionnaire that measures the degree of vulnerability of these people, helps to know how many they are and the situation in which they find themselves.

 

We finished and said goodbye to them, but not before inviting them to the party that took place yesterday morning in the Plaza de Gabriel. There some people in reflective clothing came to have a drink, listen to music, or see the role of a magician who played with the perception of the reality of the attendees.

The changes of safety vest to circulate on a motorcycle

If two people go on the bikes, the companion must wear a reflective vest. In addition, the patent will have to be printed on the helmet. Know all the measures. The Government announced on Thursday a series of changes to the regulatory decree of the Traffic Law, tending to provide greater security against the type of theft of motorcycles.

 

Among the measures that will govern throughout the country for the control of more than 7 million motorcycles, is the obligation to have identification of the patent in both the driver and passenger’s helmets, and in a high visibility vest, if necessary. Circulate two people.

 

These requirements will be accompanied by coordination with the service stations, which will not be able to refuel those who do not comply with the regulations. This initiative, which already rules in the province of Buenos Aires, is very low performance, according to the stationers.

 

The new regulations are based on the diagnosis that indicates that most of the illegal acts perpetrated by motorcyclists without fluorescent vest are carried out when more than one person is transferred.