Poland is in 2nd place among European Union countries in terms of the number of children without safety vest dying in traffic accidents. According to a report by the Police Headquarters in Poland, there were 3210 traffic accidents involving children aged 0-14. As a result, 80 children died and over 3,500 children died, was injured. The vast majority of all accident victims among children aged 0-6 are vehicle occupants. In the case of children aged 7-14, the majority of fatal road traffic accidents were among pedestrians.
– Around 800 children are killed each year in the European Union. Only in Poland, as 2012 figures show, this is about 90 children. This problem so exists and is very significant – says Pewee, CEO of CUBE.ITG, a company which, together with Polish rally champion Kieta, promotes children’s reflections.
Reflective elements significantly increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on the road. Under the traffic law, every pedestrian is obliged to wear them, not only the child who is traveling at dusk outside the built-up area. There is a penalty of up to PLN 500 for missing a reflective item. According to the experts, sevenfold increase the chance that the driver will notice the pedestrian and thus be able to slow down or safely avoid him.
– Pedestrians who do not have reflective material, with a slight aura visible from a distance of 20 meters, with a reflective element are from 150 meters up to 300 meters.
Reflective elements are considered inter alia, Vests, lanyards, fasteners, and key chains. You can buy them in sports and paper shops, most supermarkets, health and safety stores or reflexes and gas stations. Many shops offer specially designed children’s reflective animal or animal cartoon key rings. The reflective element itself is not enough – just as important is its proper location.
– It is best to wear it on your shoulder or somewhere high on the leg. Then the driver has a chance to actually see this sign – says Pewee.
In September 2015, the CUBE.ITG Capital Group launched the “Reflected Kids” campaign in Wroclaw. Its purpose is to make children aware of the need to wear reflective elements on their clothing. Kieta, the four-time Polish champion in the general rally of the Polish Rally Championship, was urged to safety on the way of the pupils. He also handed out a reflective armband with the Rally Team logo and the “Family in the Form” social campaign.