Summer ended very quickly, and there is a time of sober and gray days. The darkness is still early, and it was again a very recent amendment to Act 361/2000 Coll. on road traffic. It came into force on February 20, 2016, and its main objective is to prevent serious and fatal accidents caused by the fact that the pedestrian was not visible enough on the road. This is to ensure mandatory reflective elements, but unfortunately, a number of pedestrians who travel on unlit roads are unfortunately ignored. Many people think the car has lights to see the driver. And that means they see them, so nothing can happen to them.
It is stupid to repeat all the media every fall. But it’s still not enough. This is evidenced by one very sad number. In the first six months of this year, 233 people died on our roads. Autumn and winter are probably also signing this issue in very bold and sad script. What with this?’
See and be seen
Remember that it is not only important to see, but to be seen! The driver who encounters the darkness of the pedestrian in dark clothes has an adequate response of only about 18 meters. Put into practice, this means that at a speed of 70 km / h, which is 20 km / h lower than the maximum speed outside the village, the driver does not have a reaction for one second. And in this time, pedestrians must notice and adequately respond. Is it even possible? And what happens when a pedestrian has at least some reflective material? The driver is then able to register it at a distance of 200 meters and has enough time for a reaction.
If you pull out how to look like the right reflective element, then it is difficult to advise in this. The law is unconcerned, and we think any reflex is better than none. Ideal, of course, is a reflective vest, but we understand that you will not normally wear it with you. However, it is also good to use reflective tapes that fit into each pocket and are available almost everywhere. Children can be “adorned” with iron-on reflective images with the motives of their favorite characters. Remember that if you are driving on a dark road without a walkway, always keep the reflective element on your hand or foot that is facing the roadway. So the driver will see the moving glare from the lights.
We already met on our roads with some pedestrians picking up a mobile phone with a flashlight turned on, and they use instead of reflective elements. It may seem like a good idea, but the mobile or the flashlight itself cannot reflect the light coming from the car’s reflector, but instead, it may lose it (like weaker sources of light). Moreover, these elements are not visible from all sides.
Do you wonder if you are in danger of using reflexive elements? In the first place, you are at risk of at least serious injury or, in the worst case, death. These are the most important reasons why you need to buy and use a 25-pound reflective tape. If you accidentally catch the police without it, then you will be fined up to CZK 2,000 in the block and from 1,500 to 2,500 CZK in administrative proceedings.