Month: November 2019

Proper selection and care of warning work clothes is a must

Especially winter days are short, often cloudy, visibility is worse. Anyone working outdoors, on the streets, on roads or construction sites, needs warning clothing with reflective elements. “Ideal protective clothing is safe, comfortable and ergonomic,” says Silvia Mertens, Product Manager.

A graduated textile engineer knows that only those who feel good in their bright orange or yellow clothing are also consistently worn. Trouser belts or jacket sleeves should be comfortable and fit for physical activity. Also thoughtfully designed pockets or loops for tools and other needs are important.

Reflective clothing must comply with ISO 20471. All safety requirements are also met by the certified clothing collection “Dynamic Reflect”, which offers a wide range of combinations. There are fluorescent orange or yellow reflective jackets, pants with pockets and bib. All according to ISO 20471, class 2. In case the jacket is worn together with trousers or pants with a bib, it is class 3. MEWA also offers sweatshirts, polo shirts, and t-shirts in fluorescent yellow or orange color.

Regular inspection is vital

Fluorescent substances, as well as reflective tapes, lose their functionality after some time by wearing, soiling and mechanical stress. Therefore, regular checking of clothing is essential. “In any case, a specialized textile service provider should be entrusted with the washing of warning clothing. This is the only way of guaranteeing a professional treatment of clothing, detection of a possible defect and its professional removal,” says Product Manager.

A camera system with special software examines the garment and evaluates its condition using an algorithm. Afterward, employees check each item of clothing again to see if it can be used. If the reflective element or the fluorescent substance no longer fulfill the protective purpose, these parts are repaired or replaced. Clothing can thus continue to fulfill its protective and warning function.

Reflective clothing must comply with ISO 20471. The “Dynamic Reflect” certified collection of clothing meets all the safety requirements and offers a wide range of combinations.

Reflective elements save lives and money for fines

Police officers can impose a fine of 2,000 crowns outside the village for pedestrians without reflective elements. For the time being, however, it has rather a preventive effect and has been distributing protective equipment to pedestrians and cyclists.

As of 20 February 2016, changes under the amendment to Act No. 361/2000 Coll., On-Road Traffic, came into effect. Pedestrians are newly obliged to wear reflective elements in poor visibility when traveling on roads outside the municipality. The police officer may impose a block fine of up to CZK 2,000 for breach of this obligation, or CZK 1,500 to 2,500 in administrative proceedings. Meanwhile, the police are distributing reflective tapes.

Don’t get into the stats!

In the period 2012 – 2015, 523 pedestrians died, of which 303 at night. Night accidents account for more than half of fatal pedestrian accidents. Outside the village, it is alarming at 79%.

Campaign for safe behavior

Since last autumn, BESIP has been drawing attention to new rules by the campaign “See you?” It aims to teach pedestrians to use reflective material elements. BESIP in cooperation with the Police of the Czech Republic handles 500,000 reflective tapes, 100,000 reflective bags with reflective fabrics for seniors and tens of thousands of reflective laces and pockets for young people.

More news in the traffic rules

The amendment also prohibits driving a vehicle with dirt, snow or icing in the view from the vehicle. A novelty is the introduction of the so-called bicycle street. Police officers can withdraw a vehicle registration certificate when a dangerous fault occurs. Segway vehicles in cities must not exceed walking speed.

The best reflective element is according to police vests

or almost a year, pedestrians moving outside the village must wear a reflective element in the dusk and the evening. According to the police, bright safety vests are best visible. But the results from the test rooms, where Czech Television has been, show that many of them lose their light intensity after a few washes. People do their duty, but they are not easier to see.

The requirement is that the waistcoats can withstand 25 items of washing, said the laboratory of the Textile Testing Institute (TZÚ) Ivana Tichá. Although the tested vest declares that it can withstand 50 washes, signs of wear have been visible for the first time.

According to the head of the certification department of TZÚ Svatava Horáčková, the material of the vest is unsatisfactory because it is very sparse: “Even after the first wash, the reflective belt shows damage.” According to her, the vest would not pass the test. After ten items of washing, it would be almost unnecessary in the field.

“These fluorescent bands are prone to wear during washing and maintenance,” Horáčková explained. According to her, materials are also destroyed by abrasion or bending. In the institute, they also simulate the friction of the vest that occurs when the pedestrian moves. However, none of the tested samples were satisfactory.

Every third vest did not pass during the last inspection of the inspection

There are no limits to the material properties of children’s clothing, brilliant color is only an advantage in these cases. On the contrary, strict parameters are prescribed by law for work clothes, for example for reflective vests with reflective tapes.

According to reflection experts, one of the most important data is the CE mark. “There are vests that do not have the brand and look very similar. But they cannot be guaranteed that the reflective properties are in order,” warned Karel Škréta, an authorized employee of the Occupational Safety Research Institute.

However, even the vest from the stand that had this mark did not pass the test at TZÚ. The Czech Trade Inspection Authority carried out the last inspection action on these goods in 2012. It found faults with every third producer.

Pedestrians, watch out! Reflective elements are mandatory from Saturday 20 February

The long-awaited obligation to wear reflective elements under reduced visibility will come into effect this Saturday, February 20. Under the amendment to the Road Traffic Act, pedestrians will have to wear reflective elements in poor visibility when moving outside the village along the side of the road or at the edge of the roadway in a place not lit by public lighting.

Reflective elements will be mandatory for pedestrians not only at night but also at dusk or fog. Pedestrians will not have to wear reflective vests, a high-quality retro-reflective material of strong color ( yellow, light green), which will be visible to other road users, will suffice.

The Department of Transport recommends pedestrians to use a reflective strap on their feet or hands towards the road. Ideally, such a tape should appear on both limbs. These tapes can be found in sporting goods stores or classic supermarkets, their price is around 30 crowns.

The test of sister magazine Svet motoru proved that even with this cheap solution pedestrian is much better to see than not illuminated. The Ministry of Transport adds that while a pedestrian in black clothes can see the driver in the dark only 18 meters, using a reflective tape ment can recognize it to 200 meters. As a result, the chauffeur has more time to react to and avoid pedestrians.

The solution is also significant reflective elements that are part of the clothing (or backpack, bags). On the other hand, a flashlight or other light source is not enough from valid legislation.

Pedestrians who do not wear reflective elements outside the village in the dark are threatened with a fine of up to CZK 2,000 in block proceedings, while in administrative proceedings they will pay CZK 1,500 to CZK 2,500. However, police will be forgiving in the coming weeks and will focus on education rather than sanctions. In cooperation with BESIP, they will distribute reflective tapes and bags to guilty pedestrians free of charge.

Dark clothing could also play a role in the tragedy

A tragic traffic accident in which two people’s lives died out, it moves emotions in a wide region. On the main road Kolín – Prague, close to the petrol station near Český Brod, a car crashed with two pedestrians. According to yet unconfirmed information was to be a married couple. The man was dead on the spot after the clash, and despite all the rescuers’ care, the woman eventually succumbed to her injuries.

This was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Central Bohemian emergency service Petra Effenbergerová. “The first person suffered injuries incompatible with life, unfortunately, the doctor could not but declare death. The rescuers tried to revive the other person for several tens of minutes, but despite all efforts, it was not possible,” the spokeswoman said.

Cologne firefighters also intervened on the spot, lighting up the scene of the hit, and together with the post-traumatic care team tried to provide psychological assistance to the driver of the car.

It was only during the night that the victims of the traffic accident were identified. “It was a sixty-three-year-old man and a fifty-five-year-old woman,” police spokeswoman Martina Fejfarova said.

The huge disaster in Český Brod has been the subject of many discussions. “It is a disaster on all sides, including the driver, who has been ruined all her life and yet the pedestrians may have had no chance to see in time,” Stanislav Soukup, for example, said.

According to him, he froze completely when he realized he was passing the gas station shortly before the fatal accident. “But it was still a little light,” he added.

It is around the visibility of pedestrians that a great debate has now begun among people. According to the unconfirmed information, both pedestrians who died at Český Brod should have been in dark clothing and without reflective elements or other signs that would make them more visible in the dark. The police, appeal once again to pedestrians and cyclists not to underestimate visibility.

The cause of many traffic accidents is the lack of visibility. Of course, pedestrians are the most vulnerable when visibility is reduced. Drivers who hurt pedestrians or cyclists agree that they have not seen him at all or too late. Cars and motorcycles, as well as cyclists, are obliged to light, pedestrians are not obliged to do so. For their safety, pedestrians and cyclists should use reflective materials. It is recommended for motorcyclists. “It also happened to me that I was glad to avoid an unlit cyclist. And when I called him out of the window where he got the light, he was still screaming at me,” one of the drivers described his unpleasant experience.

According to another addressed driver, the worst pedestrians are in dark clothes. “And today’s youngsters will throw their hoods over their heads so that the driver will never see them at all. Such a teenager went to the crossing the other day without looking around and wearing headphones. And would anyone wonder if I knocked him off?” She said emphatically, saying that it had happened in the city, where there were street lights and fifty. The tragedy near Brod occurred outside the village – on the first-class road.

Reflective tape can save your life

A series of tests have shown that when a person is in dark, blue clothing, the driver can record it at a distance of 18 meters. It is better, for example, with the yellow color of the clothes, when the pedestrian is recorded at a distance of 37 meters, in white the driver can see it at 55 meters. But even this distance is not sufficient at night to safely avoid pedestrians. Pedestrians should therefore always have an element on their clothing that would make them more visible.

Fluorescent materials increase visibility in daylight and dusk but lose their function in the dark. It is preferable to use reflective materials – they reflect light in a narrow cone to the source, up to a distance of about 200 meters. They significantly increase visibility in the dark and in reduced visibility. Reflective material is visible at night 3 times greater than white clothing and more than 10 times greater than blue clothing.

It is best to place objects made of reflective materials at the end of the sleeves, close to the knees and at the waist level (cyclists also wear helmets and reflective vests ). Children can then get clothes that are already equipped with elements of reflective materials, as well as already equipped school bags.

Autumn is here. Do not forget the reflective elements!

The summer ended very quickly and there is a time of dry and gray days. The darkness is still sooner and so the amendment to Act No. 361/2000 Coll. on road traffic. It entered into force on February 20, 2016, and its goal is primarily to prevent serious and fatal accidents caused by the fact that the pedestrian was not sufficiently visible on the road. This is to ensure mandatory reflective elements, but still many pedestrians that move on unlit roads, unfortunately, ignored. Many people think that the car has lights to see the driver. And that means they see them, so nothing can happen to them.

That it is foolish to repeat every autumn all the media. But it’s still not enough. This is also proved by one very sad figure. In the first six months of this year alone, 233 people died on our roads. Autumn and winter are also likely to be signed on this issue in very bold and sad letters. What with this?

See and be seen

Remember that it is very important not only to see but to be seen! A driver who meets pedestrians in dark clothes in the dark has only about 18 meters to respond adequately. Put into practice, this means that at a speed of 70 km / h, which is 20 km / h slower than the maximum permitted speed outside the village, the driver has no responsibility for such a second. And during this time, pedestrians must notice and respond accordingly. Is it even possible? And what happens if 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 to react.

If you are wondering what a proper reflective element should look like, then it is difficult to advise on this. The law does not specify this in any way, and in our opinion, any reflective element is better than none. Of course, the ideal is a reflective vest, but we understand that you probably will not normally carry it. But it also works well with reflective straps that fit into every pocket and are available almost anywhere. You can “decorate” your children with iron-on reflective images(which made of reflective heat transfer vinyl) featuring their favorite characters. Remember that when you walk on a dark pavement without a sidewalk, always keep the reflective element on your hand or leg facing the road. The driver can thus see moving reflections from the lights better.

We have already seen on our roads that some pedestrians take a mobile phone with the flashlight on, using it instead of reflective elements. This may seem like a good idea, but the cell phone or flashlight itself cannot reflect the light coming from the headlight of the car but may disappear (as a weaker light source). Moreover, these elements are not visible from all sides.

Are you wondering if you are in danger of not using reflective elements? First of all, you are at least at risk of serious injury or, in the worst case, death. These are the most important reasons why to buy and use reflective tape for CZK 25 at least. If you happen to be caught by police officers, you will face a fine of up to CZK 2,000 in the block and CZK 1,500 to 2,500 in administrative proceedings.

Seeing and being seen in road traffic is essential!

By using reflective elements we can avoid injuries caused by traffic accidents and, above all, reduce the number of traffic accidents that occur due to poor visibility. Currently, with the coming autumn and wintertime due to bad weather, which is associated with hazy haze, especially in the morning and night hours, there is a significantly higher visibility reduction.

Seeing and being seen is the basis of road safety. Reduced visibility, where a road user does not identify vehicles, people, animals or even road objects from dusk to dawn, fog, snow or heavy rain, is the point at the time of traffic accidents with often tragic health and life consequences.

On the road, the most vulnerable are non-motorized road users, pedestrians, and cyclists. Pedestrians, in particular, should ensure that they are well visible at a sufficient distance so that vehicle drivers can avoid them in good time.

Colorful clothing with reflective fabric and reflective elements!

It is proven that if a person wearing dark clothes is on the road, the driver can detect it at a distance of 18 meters.

It is better with the yellow color of the garment, when the pedestrian is seen at a distance of 37 meters, white clothing the driver registers at 55 meters. It should be noted that even this distance is not sufficient at night to safely avoid pedestrians. For these reasons, pedestrians should always have an element on their clothing that would make them more visible. For example, fluorescent materials are available – they increase visibility in daylight and dusk, but lose their function in the dark. The most commonly used colors are bright yellow, green and orange. It is preferable to use reflective materials – they reflect light in a narrow cone to the source, up to a distance of about 200 meters. They significantly increase visibility in the dark and in reduced visibility. Reflective material is visible at night 3 times greater distance than white clothing and more than 10 times greater distance compared to dark blue clothing.

It is best to place objects made of reflective materials close to the knees, at the ends of the sleeves and the waist level. If we have only one reflective tape, it is very important to always put it on the side facing the road and not to have it somewhere under clothing but visible from all sides. Children can then get clothes that are already equipped with elements of reflective materials, as well as already equipped school bags. Reflective strips are also recommended to be placed on a bicycle, prams, wheelchair or walking stick.

Keep in mind that at 75 km / h, the driver needs at least 1.5 seconds to realize the danger and react appropriately – in that time he has traveled 31 meters. And before starting his avoidance maneuver, more than 150 meters. The driver needs approximately 200 meters for this quite simple task, which happens on the roads countlessly every day, and it is precisely this distance that a pedestrian can see only if he is wearing reflective accessories.

Short days and less bright streets: dangerous autumn and winter

In this period of the year, the hours of daylight are reduced, particularly in the morning and at dusk, considerably affecting the number of road accidents. In the last 10 years it has been noted that from November to February, from 05.00 to 09.00 and from 17.00 to 19.00, the probability of being injured or killed in accidents increases up to 58% compared to the rest of the year. This percentage is higher for less protected users, such as motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians. The TCS, on the occasion of the international day of light, draws attention to this danger and to the need to see and be seen.

The TCS recommends that the most vulnerable road users pay particular attention to the visibility conditions, adopting a defensive guide and equipping themselves with clearly visible and season-appropriate safety clothing. The accidents that see them involved are more frequent in these months, characterized by reduced brightness and difficult atmospheric situations.

Motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians at risk

For motorcyclists, the risk of accidents in the morning, from November to February, is almost 60% higher than in the other months of the year. This time slot, in addition to that between 17.00 and 19.00 (for a total of 6 hours), counts – over 24 hours – more than 40% of the motorists involved in an accident.

Even cyclists are equally exposed to these dangers in the same critical period of the year. A traditional cyclist is 52% more likely to incur an accident between 05.00 and 09.00 and even has an additional 54% chance that such an accident will cause serious injury or death. This last risk also affects drivers of electric bicycles with a percentage of 43% in the same time slot.

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable users in road traffic, particularly in winter. The greatest number of accidents happens in the morning with 44% more than 25% which is usually included at the end of the day.

Some tips to move safely

Road users are responsible for their vision and to be seen at all times. This golden rule is even more important for users who do not drive, so they are not protected by a body and are therefore more vulnerable in road traffic.

To be able to see well, in this period characterized by short days, cyclists and motorcyclists must check the lighting of their vehicle, before setting off. For their part, pedestrians must favor well-lit paths, to observe traffic well and prevent, where appropriate, dangers.

At the same time, it is advisable to increase one’s visibility. Drivers on two wheels can equip them with reflectors and wear light or reflective clothing with reflective tape. Clothing is an essential factor for safety, even for pedestrians. The “Made Visible” campaign, conducted by the TCS with the Road Safety Fund, provides numerous attractive solutions to combine fashion and visibility in all circumstances. Scarves, stickers, pendants, stylized backpacks: the possibilities to make oneself more visible are not lacking!

2019 Safety Experience Day

Eumseong-gun held the “2019 Eumseong-gun Safety Experience Day” event to raise children’s safety awareness and prevent safety accidents at Seolseong Park, 10 am to 4 pm Deployed.

This event was attended by five organizations including related organizations such as Eumseong-gun, Korean Children’s Safety Foundation, Eomseong Fire Station, Korea Consumer Resource Center, and Eumseong-gun Volunteer Center, which are closely related to life, traffic safety, natural disaster safety, crime safety, and health safety. It was operated as a safety program for each field.

We conducted various safety experience programs such as escape, evacuation, and fire suppression, earthquake, wearing reflective vests and ship escape, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, natural disasters using VR devices, gas leakage check, and fire protection.

Through this day’s event, the safety experience centers were able to experience and learn the safety education that children in kindergarten, kindergarten, and elementary school children, who were difficult to use because they were remote, had to stay in the theory class.

Ryu Hong-Cheon, general manager of safety, said, “The young children who participated in the day will be able to save the lives of others as well as themselves by being able to deal with accidents they have learned from childhood.”

The law brought a novelty for cyclists

The latest changes to the Road Traffic Safety Act have also brought some novelty to cyclists, who now have to wear reflective vests, clothing or other reflective markings when riding on all roads.

Cyclists who fail to comply with the obligation to wear a reflective vest, reflective clothing or reflective driving tag may be fined HRK 300.

The provision, found in a law passed on September 27, which had just come into force, surprised cyclists’ associations because, they claimed, it was not mentioned during the public hearing.

“We agree that the visibility of cyclists on the roads is extremely important, but European and international experience has shown that the proposed measure of wearing reflective clothing decreases the attractiveness, convenience, and accessibility of using a bicycle as a local vehicle, which minimizes and counteracts the many positive effects that bicycle popularization has in the community, “the Cyclists’ Union said, warning that the stricter obligation to use reflective clothing, in this case, was not based on evidence to suggest that existing legal obligations were insufficient.

And until now, cyclists have been obliged to use bicycle lights and reflective clothing with reflective fabric or vests on public roads anyway.

Namely, the police do not collect data on the use of lights and reflective clothing, or even as data in road accident reports involving bicycles.

“Existing legal requirements for the use of lights would be far more effective measures for the night visibility of bicycle riders, but their level of use is extremely low. by that data, about half of bicycle riders in the Zagreb area do not use any lights in the evening and at night, and less than 40 percent use both statutory lights: front white and rear red, “say the Cyclists’ Union.