Month: May 2020

National Police begins a campaign to use reflective vest at night

The observatory of road accidents of the Directorate of Traffic and Transport of the Police carried out a study where it was determined that 45% of deaths in road accidents in Colom.

National Police begins a campaign to use reflective at night

The observatory of road accidents of the Directorate of Traffic and Transport of the Police carried out a study where it was determined that 45% of deaths in road accidents in Colombia occur at night, this data already records at least 2,054 deaths, which expresses the need to understand that “the greater the visibility, the greater the possibilities of avoiding a loss”. Cyclists who do not wear vests or drivers who do not use turn signals are the main protagonists of car accidents caused in the night hours. For this reason, it is necessary for road actors to be aware of visual limitations at night and to adopt these simple habits that will prevent accidents, such as the use of retro-reflective clothing. The lack of culture and road safety has caused a high number of fatalities on the roads and there are already more than 2,000 deaths in low-light places, says General William Salamanca, director of the Traffic Police. It is important to clarify that the use of the reflective vest is not mandatory in Colombia, even so, if it is the use of some reflective garment at night, more exactly in the period between 6 p.m. and 6 am As pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are the most vulnerable actors on the road, this phenomenon also affects cargo vehicles, which is why the Ministry of Transportation issued resolution 3246 of August 3, 2018, using which the use of retro-reflective tapes was regulated in bus-type vehicles (open, Chiva to the ladder and closed), bus, minibus, truck, van (panel, van, stakes, and van), tractor-truck (tractor truck), dump trucks, etc. as in trailers and semi-trailers with a gross vehicle weight of more than 0.75 tons. In this way, the National Police seeks, with the ‘Make Yourself Visible’ campaign, that road actors become aware of the importance of using reflectors at night, which becomes a preventive tool on the road that will help avoid accidents and pay fines.

Use of reflective tapes will be mandatory from September

The Ministry of Transportation issued the resolution that regulates the installation and use of retro-reflective tapes in cargo and passenger vehicles that circulate on the roads of the national territory, to increase visibility and reduce the probability of road accidents.

The Transport portfolio indicated that the tapes will be mandatory for vehicles traveling on public or private roads, and also the colors established for the retro-reflective tapes are only red and white.

Both public service and private motor vehicles intended for the transport of passengers, with a capacity of more than 9 passengers including the driver, that transit through the suburban, rural national routes, must have the tapes installed no later than January 4.

The deadlines for controls to start were established in three groups, the first expires on September 4, 2019; In this are cargo transport vehicles with a weight greater than 0.75 tons, as well as agricultural, industrial and self-propelled construction machinery that travels on public roads.

The last term expires on May 4 and applies to mixed transport vehicles, with a capacity of more than 9 passengers including the driver, that transit on public or private roads.

The resolution establishes that for public and private vehicles, destined for the transportation of passengers that circulate exclusively on the roads of the municipal urban perimeter, the installation and use of retro-reflective tapes will not be compulsory; This measure can be accepted voluntarily.

The document states that vehicles must install a white tape on the front, the white and red tapes must be located on the side and red tape must be placed on the back. Drivers who do not adopt these measures will be sanctioned by the corresponding authorities.

Traffic Authorities place reflectors on trucks to avoid accidents at night and rain

Freight transport causes traffic accidents for various reasons, one of these is the lack of lighting, so personnel from the Traffic Department of the National Civil Police (PNC) place reflective tapes on trailers and trucks, to make them more visible, especially at night and when it rains.

Delegates from the Traffic Department indicated that the reflective tapes are given to drivers as part of the Winter Road Safety 2019 campaign, which aims to reduce road mishaps.

They also mentioned that many of those vehicles are stranded due to mechanical damage or are parked in the middle of the lanes without any type of lighting, which has caused accidents, so they also make a call to conscience to the pilots to place reflective cones. and keep emergency lights in good condition.

According to statistics from the Traffic Department, trucks and trailers are responsible for 5.1 percent of accidents across the country. 39 percent of mishaps are caused by motorcyclists and the rest by drivers of different types of vehicles.

Prevention

Recently, the Traffic Department began training for pilots of private companies, since, according to authorities, many drivers are unaware of the rules for driving and therefore commit fouls.

Bad conditions

Rony Mendoza, president of the Heavy Transport Union, considers that the conditions in which truck and trailer drivers work are deplorable and that there is an unfair competition that does not allow those who work on their own to have better labor guarantees.

“If someone is offered a freight for Q3 thousand, there is never a shortage that arrives and offers Q2 thousand. That is unfair,” he lamented.

Mendoza said that the problem is that many drivers start driving from 1 in the morning and do not have adequate places to rest or eat food.

Also read: Rain causes damage in four departments in the south-west of the country

Pilot testimonials

Mechanical failures and fatigue of the head drivers are factors that affect the tragedies.

Rigoberto López, the trailer pilot, said: “They are machines, and at any moment they fail. This work is tiring. Time restrictions affect us. We drive all night to get through the city. Sometimes it makes me sleepy, like every human being”.

Alejandro Ramírez, the trailer pilot, stated: “There is also recklessness on the part of many drivers. You should drive to 80, and if urged at 85. After that there is a danger that the brakes will not respond. Some go up to 120 kilometers per hour, at night”.

According to authorities, there are several reasons why trailer and truck accidents occur.

WILL THERE BE REFLECTIVE TAPES FOR MOTORCYCLES AND BICYCLES?

In recent days, the United States Embassy and the specialist firm 3M held a forum on “Perspectives and Trends in Road Safety” at the end of which the need to reduce accidents and deaths on the roads, mainly from motorcyclists and bicyclists, was evident, and in which work will begin on the protection of the latter thanks to the use of retro-reflective or simply reflective tapes, as they are known.

Posted by Dacia 1300 New York on Sunday, April 12, 2020

The figures to start working on a future regulation for the use of these elements were released during the forum:

As of May, road deaths in Colombia totaled 1,366, most of them were motorcyclists or cyclists.

Motorcyclists have put 48% of road deaths in the past 4 years. And the figure instead of falling is increasing, because in the first seven months of the year the death toll reached 1,000.

According to IDB figures, traffic accidents mainly affect people with less income. And the magnitude of this problem is so great that it is estimated that in Latin America 120,000 people die each year and 5 million are injured.

Retro-reflective tapes for motorcycles and bicycles

Under this scenario, 3M highlighted its commitment to strengthening road safety from its technical expertise through the development and innovation of products aimed at improving road infrastructure and visibility on roads, mainly motorcycles and bicycles.

And it is that according to Víctor Cabrera, Business Manager for Latin America of the Transportation Security Division of 3M, the use of this type of tapes has significantly reduced accidents in countries where their use has become mandatory.

Globally, the implementation of contour marking with retro-reflective tapes increases the perception distance at night by up to 100%.

In the United States, speaking of freight transport using these tapes, the reduction in accidents at night fell by 21% between 1962 and 2012. In Italy, the rule was implemented in 2005, and five years later, accidents in the night decreased 36 percent.

In China, these figures fell by 43% for 2017, and thus, the global average of deaths from traffic accidents at night in the countries where these perimeter tapes began to be used in trucks and other vehicles had reductions that are in a range between 22 and 43%.

With this evidence, conversations are being held with the country’s authorities so that the most vulnerable road actors have greater visibility at night, as a form of protection.

And it is that the new materials that 3M develops in terms of retro-reflectivity, were pioneers in these elements in 1940, have advanced to the point that it has different types of light intensity that these tapes offer so that regardless of the climatic conditions, those of the road, or the speed of movement, both motorcyclists and bicyclists can be seen in traffic and that the ‘information’ that returns to drivers is clearer.

Thus the idea is that both helmets, vests, the bodywork, the wheels of motorcycles and bicycles and even the plate, in the case of motorcycles, make use of the new reflective materials that give them greater perimeter and rear visibility to avoid accidents by the scope and at the intersections that are the most critical points for these road actors.

And it is that although it is still in talks with the authorities to implement these elements in the future, the figures provided by the specialists are dramatic due to the reality in which they expose the state of the roads in the country in which the different corridors share actors:

1. 80% of the roads in Colombia are not prepared for coexistence with pedestrians.

2. 85% of the tracks are not prepared for coexistence with motorcycles

3. 90% of the routes are not prepared to coexist with bicycles and pedicabs.

FACT

The American firm 3M, which has products developed for different branches of the industry, and has a division specialized in the automotive segment, mainly in paints and security, as they have specialized in the development of traffic signs, reflective paving tapes, brands reflective for vehicles, safety films for automotive windows and registration plates.

World Day for Safety at Work: accident prevention

Every April 28, the International Day of Safety and Health at Work is celebrated. The date, promoted by the International Labor Organization (ILO), aims to raise awareness about the importance of companies safeguarding the well-being of their employees and implementing effective safety measures.

According to the 2018 Statistical Memory of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) research, an average of 527,802 work accidents occurs in the country per year (with data from 2008 to 2018). Of this number, the construction, department stores, food, and ground transportation sectors top the list with the most misfortunes, respectively.

The prevention of accidents in work environments is vital and fundamental to maintain a safe work environment that protects the most valuable asset of companies: the workforce. Having a hazard-free environment contributes to the significant reduction of accidents that can lead to injuries or even deaths. Reducing these mishaps helps prevent work absenteeism and the irremediable temporary hiring of employees.

In this context, all sectors have different levels of risk and challenges in this area. Some actions that can make a difference are developing safety models in the work area such as signs, delimitation of areas, use of machinery, and use of clothing that are appropriate to your operations and facilities. That the corresponding safety area evaluates these risks and determines the protection conditions for each area, as well as the correct use of these measures, can make the difference in the reduction of accidents.

The constant use of machinery and the exposure of personnel to the outside, such as on oil platforms or mines, as well as the manipulation of elements such as cables and dangerous tools, creates the need for adequate clothing and clothing that offers comfort and protection in certain circumstances. An example of this is reflective clothing, which contributes to employee safety in low-light settings.

An example of this is the construction sector that requires appropriate clothing and clothing for the installation of cables and pipes on the site for the prevention of mishaps. The characteristics of the materials with which Dickies garments are made (such as thick fabrics and reinforced seams) are designed to facilitate mobility and protect workers from hostile environments.

Dickies is a benchmark for workplace safety. The design of its products has properties that adjust to the needs of personal protection in different sectors. An example of this is Dickies’ W487 overalls with reflective tapes for low-light environments or Walls FR 395 denim pants that are fire retardant, allowing you to go out in the event of a sudden fire or arc flash.

The constant implementation of prevention campaigns in which safety measures or initiatives are reported generates more confidence among workers. This is because this generates certain tranquility in the work environment knowing that the company cares about them and their safety. Therefore, a worker is more likely to be loyal if he feels that the company he works for prioritizes his integrity.

Car accessories required for safety: which ones are recommended

When it comes to cars and especially driving, one of the main rules concerns the safety of both the driver and the passenger but above all also other vehicles and pedestrians.

The law, to enforce this fundamental factor, provides for the obligation to own a series of useful accessories in your vehicle.

Among these are:

The triangle,

The safety vests,

The snow chains,

The seat if you have children.

In addition to these accessories, the first aid kit, torches, battery cables, fire extinguishers can be useful, even if they are not mandatory.

In our site, you can find all these elements, so that your machine is safe and far from any danger.

Mandatory accessories

Among the mandatory accessories to bring in the car to ensure safety, there are first of all the triangle and the reflective jacket.

It is the Highway Code that underlines that the presence of these elements on board is fundamental and those who do not have them also risk obtaining a penalty.

As for the first, it is a red object to be placed outside the car in case there has been a rear-end collision or the car has stopped at a very dangerous point. it is about 40-50 cm tall and is made of fluorescent material, plastic, or metal.

The reflective jacket with reflective fabric is also very visible, which must be worn to signal your presence outside the car, and when there is little visibility.

Also important are the snow chains, which are no longer only recommended, but also mandatory to be kept in the car, from November 15th of each year until April 15th of the following year.

Alternatively, if the car has snow tires during this period, the chains may not even be present on board, if there are no roads where there will be snow.

If you have children on board, the seat must never be missing, very important for the safety of your child, who must be compliant and always present in the car. In addition to these accessories, there are some recommended ones.

Recommended accessories

As previously stated, it can be very useful to have a first aid kit in the car, but also torches, battery cables, fire extinguishers.

 Among all, the cables will be of fundamental importance also because if the battery of your car turns off suddenly, the car will no longer turn on, and the cables can be a quick solution to adopt.

As for fire extinguishers, first of all, it is good to specify that there are various types, and those suitable for cars can be carbon dioxide.

Of course, there are many elements to think about to keep your car safe, also because the dangerous situations can be different and it is right to try to prevent them all.

In addition to this, you must never forget to omit the mandatory accessories in the vehicle, or you risk even heavy penalties, as well as the most serious thing: risking healthy.

Motorbike trips abroad: 5 things to know

Small guide to motorbike trips abroad, with the 5 things to know: necessary documents, mandatory equipment, traffic regulations, useful numbers, and travel policy

From 3 June Italy will reopen the borders with the EU + Switzerland and the United Kingdom countries (waiting to be able to do so with other States) and therefore motorbike trips abroad will also be possible in the complicated summer 2020, unless changes dictated by the evolution of the pandemic which unfortunately we cannot rule out. However many bikers are already planning the itinerary and others will do it in the coming weeks: for their benefit, we publish the 5 most important things to know when traveling abroad by motorbike.

1. MOTORCYCLE TRIPS ABROAD: WHICH DOCUMENTS

For motorbike trips abroad in the countries of the European Union and the Schengen area, therefore including Switzerland, all you need is an identity card + driving license, registration document and certificate of insurance, obviously all valid. The Italian driving license is sufficient, in Europe the international driving license is required only in very few States (Russia, Armenia, and Georgia). Instead, the so-called green card, the insurance document that certifies the effectiveness of the RC motorcycle also abroad it is not necessary for EU countries and other states. In Europe, they could still request it in Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine (inquire before leaving). Finally, if you go abroad driving a motorbike that you do not own, it is advisable to have a delegation to lead by the owner: in plain paper for the EU and with a signature authenticated by a notary for non-EU travel.

2. MOTORCYCLE TRIPS ABROAD: MANDATORY EQUIPMENT

Oh well, needless to say, that the helmet is mandatory everywhere, then depending on the destination other equipment is needed. For example, limiting ourselves to neighboring or neighboring countries:

Austria: Din 13167 approved first aid kit.

Croatia: Din 13167 approved first aid kit; retro-reflective vest; replacement bulbs.

France: reflective vest, protective gloves approved by EU for driver and passenger; approved breathalyzer kit.

Slovenia: Din 13167 approved first aid kit; reflective vest; replacement bulbs.

Switzerland: reflective jacket.

3. MOTORCYCLE TRIPS ABROAD: THE RULES ON CIRCULATION

Also for the rules on the movement of foreign countries, the complete guide of the ACI and the Viaggiare Sicuri website can be consulted, here we report only the countries bordering Italy (+ Croatia), focusing especially on the rules that differ from our country:

Austria: motorway toll via ‘vignette’ ( here the rules on motorway tolls in Europe ); blood alcohol limit 0.049%.

Croatia: forbidden to carry a child under 12 on a motorcycle; dipped headlights mandatory even during the day; blood sugar limit 0.05%.

France: 80 km / h limit on departmental and state two-way and single track roads ( here all the speed limits in Europe when traveling by motorbike ); dipped headlights mandatory also during the day for motorcycles and mopeds registered after 1 July 2004; blood sugar limit 0.05%.

Slovenia: highway toll via ‘sticker’; it is forbidden to carry a child under 12 on a motorcycle; use of mandatory dipped headlights also during the day; blood sugar limit 0.05%.

Switzerland: motorway toll via ‘sticker’; dipped headlights mandatory even during the day; blood sugar limit 0.05%.

4. MOTORCYCLE TRIPS ABROAD: USEFUL NUMBERS TO KNOW

Abroad it is always recommended to write down some phone numbers to contact in case of need.

Austria : single European emergency number: 112; roadside assistance: 120; Italian Embassy in Vienna: 0043 (1) 7125121.

Croatia : single European emergency number: 112; roadside assistance: 1987; Italian Embassy in Zagreb: 00385 -1- 48 46 386 – 00385 – 98.417660.

France : single European emergency number: 112; roadside assistance: 0800 089222; Italian Embassy in Paris: 0033 1 49 54 03 00.

Slovenia : single European emergency number: 112; roadside assistance: 1987 or 00386 1 5305353; Italian Embassy in Ljubljana: 00386 1 4262194 0038614262320 – 0038614258659 – 00386 41 736773.

Switzerland: single European emergency number: 112; roadside assistance: 140; Italian Embassy in Bern: 0041 31 350 07 77 – 0041 79 3219202.

5. MOTORCYCLE TRIPS ABROAD: TRAVEL INSURANCE

In addition to the compulsory motorcycle insurance, to which any additional guarantees may be added (for example, Accidents to the driver), before leaving, it is necessary to consider whether to take out a travel policy to cover at least the health costs. To tell the truth, until recently, these policies were required above all for travel overseas or in exotic places. But the vicissitudes of recent months, with the pandemic that has shocked the world and from which we will not free ourselves quickly, advise greater caution even when traveling in Europe. On the web, many online companies offer travel insurance rather low prices and they are all quite reliable. Important: those who decide to take out one and wish not to have any surprises make sure that the policy signed also covers the infection by Covid-19.

Why there are more and more traffic accidents with cyclists

A study confirms that accidents between cyclists and vehicles are caused by a combination of inadequate infrastructure and risky behavior by drivers and cyclists.

According to the Colombian Traffic Police, by September 2017, 42% of the accidents with cyclists that had been registered that year had occurred in the night hours and involved cyclists without a reflective vest.

In recent years, more and more people around the world have chosen to use the bicycle as a means of urban transport. However, many abstain from talking about it due to the danger that often involves moving with this means of transport. the scenario is not exclusive to Colombia: in the European Union, for example, in the last 30 years accidents between cyclists and vehicles have suffered a systematic increase.

According to the Institute of Legal Medicine, in Colombia in 2016 there were 4,447 accidents involving bicycles; in 589 of them the cyclists died, and 3,858 were injured.

“Given the characteristics of the vehicle and the little use of passive safety measures, cyclists are, along with pedestrians, the most vulnerable road users to suffer serious injuries in the event of an accident,” Sergio Alejandro Useche, a researcher at the Research Institute of Traffic and Road Safety (INTRAS) of the University of Valencia.

In urban centers, it is where 70.7% of accidents and 67.4% of victims’ injuries or deaths occur, compared to rural roads, where 29.3% of claims and 32.6% of the victims. 47.2% of serious cyclist injuries occur on conventional urban roads.

To understand the increase in incidents with cyclists and to be able to develop preventive policies, a study led by Useche has analyzed the relationship between roads and human factors with traffic accidents. The results, published in the magazine Sustainability, show that, in collisions between motorized vehicles and bicycles, both factors are present. These data could serve to explain and prevent road accidents.

Lack of driver education

The researchers interviewed 1,064 cyclists (38.8% female and 61.2% male), on average 33 years old and from twenty countries in Europe, South America, and North America, in an online survey. According to the expert, the increase in accidents with cyclists is due to “the widespread use of the bicycle, which is still disorganized, poorly controlled and unregulated today, and rarely linked to the education and road training of its users,” emphasizes the investigator.

Scientists highlight the need to intervene in infrastructure to reduce problematic interactions with other users, which occur when cyclists must share roadways with the motor vehicle or pedestrian users; simplify circulation on friendlier roads; and strengthen the culture of bicycle use and respect for it in all users.

On the other hand, the researchers have observed that in the traffic codes “there is a worrying lack of regulations to regulate the use of the bicycle in shared mobility with other types of vehicles.”

Regarding individual or human factors, the study highlights risk behaviors, divided into two main types. The first is the so-called unintended errors or failures by drivers. “These can be reduced by carrying out adequate road training, as is done, for example, with motor vehicle drivers,” says Useche.

Another behavior observed in accidents is traffic offenses. In the opinion of the experts, it is essential to strengthening road training by cyclists and drivers to avoid them. “This requires the support of the media, institutions and the educational system,” conclude the authors, for whom this would improve public health and social coexistence between the different mobility systems.

New control for motorcyclists

The Ministry of Security of the Nation made official on Tuesday the decree that requires changes in Traffic Law 24,449 regarding the control of motorcyclists. Even though Mendoza is governed by the Provincial Traffic Law 6.082, the measure will be applied on national routes and international corridors.

The modifications expressed in Decree 171/2017, which will be implemented as of Thursday, June 15, require that “the identification of the domain registered in the patent plate located on the vehicle, the mandatory identification of the domain number registration in the protective helmet, mandatory for the driver and front passenger, as well as the mandatory use for the front passenger of a reflective vest.”

The passenger vest, according to the standard, maybe pure yellow, and yellow or orange-yellow in the background and will have at least two horizontal reflective white bands on the front and rear top, five centimeters wide and with a separation among them 14 centimeters, in the middle of which the vehicle’s domain number will be printed in reflective white letters and numbers.

These new measures implemented to combat insecurity, as pointed out by the Minister of National Security, Patricia Bullrich, should not be applicable in Mendoza, which is governed by the Provincial Traffic Law 6.082.

It dictates, among other regulations, in article 49: “In the case of mopeds, motorcycles and the like, the occupant or occupants wear a special motorcycle safety helmet. Helmets for industrial use are prohibited.”

See also: In June, the new controls begin for motorcyclists

The regulations in the province

The undersecretary of Institutional Relations of the Ministry of Security, Néstor Majul, assured that the new decree will not be applicable in Mendoza as it is related to the National Traffic Law. However, on national routes and international corridors, federal security forces – such as the Gendarmerie – may be required to comply.

“Once the change is implemented, we will evaluate whether it gives results and is adjustable to the province. However, this new measure will be being carried out by the Gendarmerie on national routes,” said Majul.

The second commander of the National Gendarmerie, Sergio Salinas, told El Sol that they will enforce Traffic Law 24,449 within national routes and international corridors.

“Although we have not been informed of the modification, from June 15 we will enforce it. And, to those who do not comply with it, the corresponding fines will be applied”, confirmed Salinas.

The Ministry of Transport of the Nation informed this newspaper that “the patent of the helmet and the reflective vest must be paid in the corresponding Automotive Registry.”

With this measure, Mendoza residents who wish to travel to Chile by motorcycle must comply with the patenting of the helmet and reflector vest of the companion to avoid fines and be able to pass to the neighboring country.

Data of national routes and international complexes in Mendoza

The province is crossed by several national routes, standing out 40 – from North to South – and 7, from the border with San Luis to the East to the border with Chile, to the West.

Also, on route 7, the International Corridor to Chile stands out. The Province has a connection with the Argentine Los Horcones complex and the Chilean Los Libertadores complex.

Also, Mendoza people usually circulate on the following national routes: 7, 40, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 149, 153, and 188, where the mandatory helmet and patent-pending vest will be enforced.

They develop vests that detect social distance

Elements sound, vibrate and turn on warning lights when one vest is close to another.

Schwarzmüller, an Austrian manufacturer of cargo vehicles, has become the first company in Europe to wear novel protective safety vests that warn of an unwanted approach between two people wearing it to maintain the minimum separation imposed by the coronavirus in work environments.

The protective vest sounds and vibrates, while the lights on the shoulder straps and waist turn on when you are going to exceed the safety distance with another person.

In this way, the system guarantees the social distance between workers, required to control the pandemic, also in assembly lines and other industrial facilities.

The company’s spokesman, Michael Prock, said in telephone statements to Efe that by acquiring this personalized system, “the responsibility of guaranteeing the health of the workers” is assumed.

“We also avoid possible and costly interruptions to our production lines in the event of a positive, which would force us to place numerous workers in quarantine,” he adds.

The traditional company, with 140 years of history, has acquired dozens of these vests, developed by the German company Linde Material Handling, and whose price is 499 euros per unit. The vests weigh about 300 grams and their battery holds up to a full work shift of about eight hours.

Peter Markschläger, the spokesman for Linde Austria, explains that this technology comes from a system applied in transport vehicles in logistics centers or in large construction sites, which serves to avoid collisions, by warning both the driver and the pedestrian that they are approaching. each other.

According to Markschläger, the vests can be used “in any area where many people work, as people usually have trouble estimating the necessary distance well.”