Month: January 2019

REFLECTIONS SAVE LIVING

Tonight the Duty Officer of the Chosen Headquarters received information about a man who goes outside built-up areas without obligatory reflective elements. The officials urgently went to the indicated road between Recd and Sick, where they barely noticed the man walking.

We still encounter situations when pedestrian after dark outside the built-up area does not wear reflective clothing. During dozens of meetings with children and adults, uniform from the Chosen Aviator indicates the necessity of wearing reflective elements outside built-up areas, as well as the advantages of wearing them also in built-up areas, which significantly improves the visibility of the pedestrian, and thus its safety. It was similar today. The police officers held a conversation with a man and handed him a reflective vest.

We would like to remind you that from August 31, 2014, all pedestrians who move around the dusk along the way outside the built-up area must have a reflection visible to the drivers. The lack of reflective tapes is threatened by a fine.

Therefore, we appeal to wearing clothing with reflective fabric after dark. Even one small reflective element can increase the distance from which the driver will notice the pedestrian several times.

Let’s take care of the passive safety of our own and loved ones wearing reflective elements.

Reflectors really save lives !!!

Civil defense with promotion of safety vests for kindergartens

Kitchenware kindergarten has already received its safety vests. Due to high demand, civil protection has extended its action for kindergartens and communities until the spring.

DISTRICT SCHRODINGER. The darkness in winter is a risk for all road users, but it quickly becomes a danger to children. If the view is bad or the children are dressed dark, they are often perceived as pedestrians in traffic very late. The remedy is to be provided by a campaign by the civil protection association in Upper Austria that offers warning vests for kindergarten groups. Visibility increases with warning vest from 30 to 150 meters. Warning vest must have reflective tapes or reflective materials.

Safety bag and a safety game

The aim of the action is to make the kindergarten children on excursions, walks and the like more visible. As a bonus, each kindergarten group receives a safety bag. The corresponds to the design of a safety vest and is also reflective. It has reflective fabric to get seen. Kindergarten teachers can use it as a backpack and are therefore a “visible role model”. In addition, there is a safety memo developed by the O Schultz for the kindergarten, a safety game that illustrates children’s everyday risks and avoidance of danger.

Kindergarten Kitchenware already has west

“With this action, the Upper Austrian civil protection makes a major contribution to the safety of the youngest road users,” said civil protection district manager Erhard Dillinger. In the municipality of Kitchenware is Wezen, he was able to hand over safety vests to the local kindergarten with Vice-Mayor Serengeti Neither. Due to strong demand and positive feedback, the promotion was extended until spring. Kindergartens or communities can order the warning vests at the Upper Austrian Civil Defense at a promotional price.

Let’s drive carefully

Snowfall, which accompanies us in the last few hours, makes it difficult to drive a car. It is very slippery on roads, and the weather forecasts for the coming days do not fill us with optimism.

Remember to adjust the speed of the car to the conditions on the road! It is the maladjustment of speed to the conditions prevailing on the road that is the reason for the formation of the largest number of serious traffic incidents.

Slippery road surface significantly extends the section on which the vehicle will stop. It is worth remembering that at a speed of 50km / h, the car travels about 14 meters within 1 second. The stopping distance at this speed on a dry surface is 26 meters, on a wet road 30 and on a slippery road 46 meters. However, at a speed of 90km / h within 1 second the car travels a distance of 25 meters. The stopping distance at this speed on a dry surface is 70 meters, wet on 90 meters and slippery 140 meters.

Faster collapsing darkness also adversely affects the comfort and safety of traveling and our psychophysics fitness. On an unlit road, drivers mainly see strong lights of vehicles approaching from the opposite direction and horizontal signs painted on the road.

The silhouettes of pedestrians and cyclists are noticed at the last moment, usually at a distance of 30-40 meters. In bad weather, visibility gets worse. If the pedestrian is equipped with a reflective vest and reflective tape reflecting the lights of the car, the driver will notice it already from a distance of 130 – 150 meters, which are about 5 times before! It can save a living life! Unprotected road users are often under the illusion that if they see an oncoming vehicle, then the driver sees them. This is a mistake, the consequences of which can be tragic.

All this speaks to the widespread use of reflective materials on the outer garments regardless of their age. Correctly worn reflections should be placed on the front and rear of the garment, in a way that allows them to be seen in the lights directing oncoming traffic from both directions. Every child traveling on the road should use the reflective elements, regardless of which part of the road is moving – the sidewalk, roadside or road.

The problem in the near future may be not only the aura or the technical condition of the car but also snow and ice lying on the body and panes. It happens that all windows are frosted, and the front is only cleared of snow, thanks to which the driver can see anything in front of him. Whatever, because his field of view is practically nil. The driver of such a vehicle is not able to see a pedestrian, even in full light, he does not see other vehicles well. Moves on feeling threatening all road users.

Often, when driving from such a car, pieces of ice or snowfall off, then fall on the vehicles behind it, causing damage to windows or forcing the drivers to brake hard. At higher speed, they can be a deadly threat. Police officers remind that in accordance with road traffic law, the vehicle participating in the traffic should be equipped and maintained so that the use of it does not jeopardize the safety of people driving it or other road users. It cannot violate the order of traffic on the road and expose anyone to damage. Using the vehicle in motion is also to provide a sufficient field of vision for the driver and easy, convenient and reliable handling of the steering, braking and signaling devices.

So let’s remember to take care of your own safety and other road users before you leave your car. Sometimes it takes just a few minutes to properly prepare the car for travel and ensure the same comfort and safety of driving, and even avoid tragedies on the road – police officers call.

Police officers appeal for careful driving

Variable weather with snow or rain does not make it easier to drive, especially in the morning and evening, when the temperature fluctuates around zero.

Sudden snowfall, a slippery surface or lack of driving skills in such conditions causes that there are numerous road accidents. Unfortunately, we do not have any influence on weather conditions, but by adhering to traffic rules, driving techniques, responsible behavior, and proper equipment of our vehicle, we can increase our safety.

With the change of weather, the roads are becoming more and more dangerous, not only for drivers but also for pedestrians. This is the time when the probability of road events increases several times. Deteriorating road conditions: the occurrence of fog, rainfall or snow, slippery surface and low temperature, significantly extend the braking distance, which with high traffic on our roads adversely affects the safety of road users.

Reason first and foremost

Remember that falling snow or snow with rain and frosts makes the road slippery. Drivers have to take into account that they will not be able to stop the vehicle immediately. The braking time of the car then increases significantly and it is not difficult to collide or offset. Each of us is a participant in the road traffic, only our roles change sometimes. It does not matter, however, whether we are traveling by car, by bike or walking, then remember that we are responsible for the safety of ourselves and other road users. Unfortunately, we do not have any influence on weather conditions, but by adhering to traffic rules, driving techniques, responsible behavior, and proper equipment of our vehicle, we can increase our safety. Let’s adjust the speed to the conditions on the road. Unfortunately, not everyone remembers that when the temperature is on the small plus or drops below zero, and on the road there is snow or rain or drizzle, the conditions on the road are extremely treacherous and you should drive slower, more cautiously and more wisely.

Let’s take care of our vehicles.

The better we take care of our vehicle before departure, the more our safety and other road users will improve. The driver should have an adequate field of view. Snow cleared, cleaned of ice and other dirt must be windows and mirrors. Also, external lighting and registration plates may be dirty and covered with snow. Also, the snow lying on the roof of the car or the cover of the engine compartment poses a real threat to us and other drivers, because it can slip on the windshield during braking or fall on the other car behind us.

It is also worth changing tires for winter, it will certainly affect our road safety. As the last days’ show, the first snowfalls have already appeared in our region and in many cases, winter tires seem to be an absolute necessity.

Let’s remember about reflective materials

A special appeal is also directed at pedestrians. Even if you are in front of a pedestrian crossing, make sure that the driver can slow down. Of course, the pedestrian takes precedence over the passage, but here the principle of limited trust is most applicable. Let us remind you that during the autumn and winter weather we are less visible. Pedestrians and cyclists should remember about their safety and take care to be visible. Road conditions suggest common, absolute use of reflective elements not only outside built-up areas and regardless of age. Every reflective element, regardless of whether it is a reflective vest, key ring or headband with reflective tapes, will make it easier to see the oncoming driver when moving on the road.

The driver remembers:

Thoroughly clean the vehicle from the snow before you leave the road, the snow should be removed not only from the windows but also from the roof, bonnet and from the front and rear lights, make sure that the windows are not fogged up and the visibility from inside the vehicle is not impeded.

Plan your trip, in case of bad weather conditions, leaves 10 minutes earlier. In the case of possible difficulties in traffic, this creates unnecessary stress and, as a consequence, may lead to aggression, remember that in the event of any precipitation, speed should be reduced, at low temperatures, the road surface freezes. Avoid sudden maneuvers and sharp braking, pay special attention to pedestrians who are less visible during this period.

Do you see me?

Seeing and being seen is vital to our roads. After all, 205 children died in road traffic in Remscheid, Solingen, and Wuppertal last year, 91 of them as pedestrians, 17 children as cyclists and 97 as passengers.

The evaluation of all children’s accidents also shows that children are often overtaxed in road traffic: obstructions, parking vehicles, and sudden lane entry create dangerous situations. Speeds and distances of vehicles are often not properly assessed by children. At the same time, there is always an increased risk of being overlooked by children on the road, especially in the dark season!

From Monday, 19.11.2018, until Friday, 23.11.2018, children of different kindergartens and elementary schools will be standing at the roadside in front of their facilities again and passing motorists will ask: Do you see me?

With the onset of the dark season, light and reflective clothing with reflective tapes are particularly important. Therefore, the children wear reflective vests, hold self-made posters and attract attention to a variety of other actions.

The aim of the road safety actions in Wuppertal, Remscheid, and Solingen is to sensitize the children and parents, but above all also the drivers and to inform about dangers for children and abilities of children on the road.

Tips for the dark season

The summer is over, the road users now have to adjust to autumn fog, ground frost, snowfall, and correspondingly slippery roads. To get you safely through the dark season, the police advise:

See and be seen

As the days get shorter, accidents often occur due to poor vehicle lighting or because you, as a pedestrian or cyclist without reflective material, are not seen in time.

The modern automatic light system does not detect fog and bad weather. Switch on the dipped beam during the day as well. Make sure you have clean windows, good wiper blades and a sufficiently full water tank, so you always have the right view.

As a pedestrian or cyclist, wear bright, reflective clothing or reflective vest. As a cyclist, check whether your lighting works and whether the prescribed reflectors are mounted.

Do not overtake. Turn on the rear fog lamp only when visibility is less than 50 meters, so as not to dazzle the traffic behind. For visibility under 50 meters, the maximum permissible speed of 50 km / h is also outside built-up areas.

If you have not raised any winter tires yet, you endanger yourself and others. Anyone who is traveling on snow, ice or frosted tires with summer tires also risks fines, points and insurance cover. With snow and ice, the braking distance is four times longer. Drive very carefully and keep your distance, avoid abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.

Think of whisk and ice scraper. Before driving, clear the windows, lights, and roof from ice and snow so that you have unrestricted visibility and do not endanger the traffic behind.

There is a lot of danger in the winter pedestrian

Winter is not only for the driver but also for pedestrians, a much more challenging and dangerous period than the rest of the year. There is more darkness, pedestrians on the road are not visible, pavements and roads are often icy and slippery, which can cause accidents and unpleasant injuries.

“Pedestrians should not underestimate in particular the reflective vests that can in many cases prevent a serious traffic accident. Likewise, they must pay increased attention to road and pavement traffic, especially during the pre-Christmas hustle, “says Olga from TSK. So beware of the three major risks that winter brings with you.

In the dark, the driver does not see you.

Reflective materials are an important safety supplement not only for children. For all pedestrians outside the village, they are even obliged to move on the side or edge of the road in a place where there is no public lighting under reduced visibility. But wearing them will not spoil anything in the city. For the driver, the pedestrian in the glare of the wet road lights is very poorly visible and easily overlooked over the still stained glass.

Most suitable are reflective elements to mark the ends of the sleeves, the waist and the area between the ankles and knees. We should see from any angle. The range of reflective fabrics is really wide nowadays and can be made from reflective tapes, reflectors, reflective clothing, backpacks or stickers.

When traveling on the road, the pedestrian should definitely not rely only on the driver’s reaction. The braking distance of a car is prolonged in bad weather, so even if the pedestrian-driver notices in time, avoiding a tragic accident may no longer be in his power. As pedestrians, we should in our own interest, ensure safe movement through communication.

Let us recall two basic rules for crossing: a pedestrian is obliged to use a pedestrian crossing, subway or pedestrian whenever it is not more than 50 meters away, and in the case of a pedestrian crossing it must not enter the pedestrian crossing just before the arriving vehicle and at the same time does not take precedence over trams and vehicles driving with a lit blue beacon.

Where there is no possibility to walk along the pavement, they always go against the direction of the arriving vehicles and individually behind each other. However, this does not apply to an organized group of pedestrians who, according to traffic regulations, must move on the right side of the road.

Beware of your cell phone and headphones.

Many traffic accidents are caused by pedestrians being disturbed and not concentrating on events around them. Often they pay their attention to a cell phone or have headphones in their ears. This limits their two main senses to warn them of potential dangers – eyesight and hearing, and in short, thoughtlessly enters the road ahead of the passing vehicle.

Although we live in modern technology and listen to music, radio or watching social videos on a walk can shorten us for a long time, we should take care of our safety. Therefore, whenever we move on a road or at a crossing, but also on bicycle paths and other roads, it is important to pay full attention to traffic and not to use the mobile phone or the headphones.

How about advantage

Extremely cautious we should be pedestrians, especially pedestrians. The wet or snowy paint that is used on them is very slippery and the car behaves like it on ice.

“It is certainly not good to rely on the fact that the arriving car always stops safely and gives us the priority. In order to make sure that the incoming driver really registers, we should make eye contact with him, and then, after stopping completely, the road safely to go. It is also important to remember that pedestrian crossing has no priority over tram. It’s just the opposite, the tram always has priority, “says Olga.

Holidays have many dangers for children and adults

Summer holidays have started, which mainly children use for two months. However, in addition to the expected adventures, summer loves and welfare, many dangers, and injuries can be expected. This also applies to adults who go on vacation during these months, either alone or with their families.

As can be seen from the statistics of rescuers, firefighters or the police, there are a lot of injuries every year during summer holidays. Last July, the Central Bohemian rescuers recorded a total of 12,174 visits and in August 12,167, an increase of roughly one-fifth compared to other months.

Of course, the most threatened group is children. They are mostly inexperienced, they do not foresee what could happen and their injuries often occur within a second, but the consequences can be life-long. Therefore, they should learn to avoid risky situations. Injuries occur at home, outdoors and on roads.

The most common home injuries include burns with hot food, such as favorite grilling, drug poisoning or cleaning, electric shock or falling out of the window. A separate chapter is then a meeting with strangers. “Definitely the child should know that it should not open to unknown people and also not enter the elevator,” reminds police spokeswoman Monika.

Children’s traps are waiting outside even in gardens, playgrounds, and parks. For moving outdoors, it is worthwhile to observe certain principles, such as not touching syringes, old ammunition, walking on power lines and tracks, or collecting only known plants and fruits. “It is important for the children to know that they do not have to jump into the unknown water, because under the surface there may be stones. When riding a boat it is necessary to wear a life jacket with reflective material. In the storm, they must not be hiding under the tall trees, and they should never starve the unknown dogs, “warns the police spokesperson.

Holidays are also a time of trips, but parents should realize that a child can ride a bike alone on the roads for ten years. However, it is necessary to know the traffic regulations, signs, a properly fitted helmet on the head and the bike properly equipped. If it is driving on the road in the evening or in the dark, it is necessary to use reflective clothing with reflective fabric on it and lights. Different bags definitely do not belong to the handlebars, but to the carrier. Children should also be well aware of the rules of proper road crossing and of always being attached to the vehicle.