Category: Reflective tape

Are you going back on the bike? You must remember that

Vacation is the perfect time to return to physical activity. One of the most popular summer outdoor activities is cycling. However, do we remember the rules of safe and comfortable driving after a long break? How to inflate tires properly, adjust the saddle and what to wear for a bike ride? Advice!

When entering a garage or basement, do you avoid bike sight? Beautiful weather outside, and you wonder how to apologize with your two-wheeler? Before you get on your bike, remember some important rules. Together with Michał Fick, a rider of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles MTB Team, we will help you return safely to cycling activity.

Safe vehicle = safe cyclist

Safety is the basis, so the first thing you must remember before getting on your bike is to check the condition of your vehicle.

Michał Ficek says: Effective brakes and the right amount of air in the tires are the absolute minima that our holiday transport should meet. It would be ideal to plan a visit to the bicycle service to make sure that all components of the drive system are working properly and that covering kilometers will not be associated with any danger due to the poor technical condition of the two-wheeler.

How can you check if your tires are properly inflated? The easiest way to do this is to press the tire with your thumbs at the end of the tread. If you can only make a millimeter dent, it means that your tires have enough air.

However, not only a functional vehicle guarantees safe driving. The cyclist must be visible on the road, so remember that your bike should be equipped with a front lamp with white or yellow light, a lamp with red light and a red reflective tape element placed at the back. Although the regulations do not require wearing safety helmets, it is worth protecting your head against any injury on any trip.

Attitude is the basis! Take care of the right position while driving

The right attitude is very important, no matter whether you play sports, walk or rest. Thanks to the right height adjustment of the bicycle saddle, we ensure not only a comfortable ride but also safety and comfort for our spine.

Michał Ficek says: First of all, pay attention to the appropriate frame size and saddle height. You cannot allow a situation when, during pedaling, our knees “run” sideways, we have a problem with reaching the pedals or unstable sitting on the saddle. The old school says that the right height of the saddle is one in which, sitting motionless in the saddle with the leg straight, we touch the heel with the pedal located at the most distant point of the crank mechanism rotation. Systematic riding in the wrong position can do us more harm than good.

How to properly set the height in a city bike? When riding on such a two-wheeler, the cyclist’s position is more upright, so the steering wheel must be set higher relative to the saddle (about 5 cm or more). In this position, most of the bodyweight is on the back of the bike, not on the hands.

First of all, convenience – a few words about a cycling outfit

During holiday trips, we are happy to choose a bike as a means of transport. Summer is a time when airy dresses reign, for ladies: dresses and skirts. Unfortunately, this outfit, although it looks impressive, is not a good option when riding a bicycle.

Michał Ficek says: When getting on the bike, we will forget about loose, long legs, which love to get caught in the chain. Occasional rides will not require special clothing – just comfortable, weather-proof shorts, a T-shirt and shoes. As the distance traveled on the bike increases and the time spent on the saddle, it is worth thinking about dedicated to this type of activity, more tight and at the same time airy clothes, in particular, shorts with a comfortable liner.

Appearance is not everything: apart from a comfortable outfit, for safety reasons, it is also worth putting on glasses that protect our eyes from the sun and getting sand, dirt or small insects into the eyes.

Measure your strength

The last thing to remember before getting on the bike is the right choice of route and load, adapted to the condition and possibilities. It is worth doing a short warm-up before the ride to prepare the body for physical exertion.

Michał Ficek says: If you return to the bike after a long break, remember to measure your intentions and start with short, undemanding routes. During the holiday we will feel a lack of physical effort for several months, so let’s approach sports activities with caution.

Can traffic police fine for lack of a vest

“Should a reflective vest become a mandatory item in the baggage of the driver,” says DEITA.RU.

Explanations regarding vests should be started on December 12, 2017, when the government amended the traffic rules section, which regulates the duties of drivers by the new paragraph 2.3.4, which states that in the case of an emergency stop or accident in the city at night or in conditions limited visibility while on the roadway or curb, the driver must be dressed in a jacket, vest or wrap vest with stripes of retro-reflective material.

These amendments entered into force in March last year.

Thus, the mere absence of a vest in a car is not a violation and is not punishable by fines. Experts note that the reverse information that the fine still exists is artificially supported by sellers of these vests.

At the same time, close attention should be paid to the fact that a fine is provided for a driver leaving a car without a reflective vest with reflective tape, outside the city, at night or in conditions of limited visibility. In this case, indeed, such a driver will be fined 500 rubles.

But a fine of 1000 rubles is provided under the same conditions, but already in the event of an accident. If the driver responsible for the accident walks around the car without a vest, he will be fined.

In other words, it turns out that until the driver stopped at night in the forest and got out of the car without a vest, he did not violate anything. If he had to stop and he went out without a vest – then he will be fined, which will be doubled in case of an accident. So just in case, you need to have a vest in the car, but its absence is not necessary until the conditions specified above are met, it is not punishable by a fine.

Do you care about visibility on the road?

Everyone knows how important children’s safety is on the road. It is good, however, if this awareness translates into real action and real accident prevention. A nationwide initiative comes out Kramp – one of the largest suppliers of spare parts and accessories for the agricultural industry in Europe and at the same time the owner of the Grene chain of stores, based in Modła Królewska near Konin.

“The company decided to supply all kindergartens in our city and the surrounding area (25 facilities) with reflective vests. It is very important for parents to take care of their kids’ safety on the road, especially in autumn, when the weather conditions make the visibility of pedestrians much weaker when returning from school. The simple matter of wearing vests for children provides them with greater safety and thus reduces the risk of an accident.” says Monika Leksowska, Marketing Manager at Kramp Polska.

Education of children promises for the future from an early age. We must focus on shaping the right behavior when moving in traffic, regardless of whether we are pedestrians, cyclists or passengers. We follow the same principle – let’s take care of mutual security. Not without reason, however, most attention is focused on people moving on foot. Our country’s statistics show that 50% of pedestrians – road accident participants lose their lives. This is terrifying information that should motivate us to act on how to prevent it and reduce this number.

“It is impossible to visit all the kindergartens in the region or country, although we would love to. We went to one of the Konin branches, where we talked with children and asked if they knew how to stay safe. Fortunately, preschoolers have shown great awareness of the need to wear glare. We didn’t expect that. They surprised us very positively.” sums up Monika Leksowska.

Representatives of the Kramp company visited the Bajka Kindergarten No. 25 in Konin on November 4, giving children specially prepared yellow safety vests with reflective tape. In parallel with the vest-giving campaign, Kramp also campaigns for its clients. The company sends children’s reflective vests to 500 customers in regions where the risk of children being hit is highest according to the National Road Safety Council. The whole enterprise “Kramp cares for your safety” began in October, when in Grene stores in Poland, every customer received a reflective band with reflective material.

Small things can save lives. Education begins with the simplest safety rules. Children, as it turns out, know this best. Let’s not be worse in this respect. Let’s not be shy and put on our vests.

What to consider when choosing safety clothing & equipment

Safety clothing and equipment is crucial in some workplaces to help keep people protected from certain hazards. It is the responsibility of the employers and workers to ensure that they use the correct safety clothing and equipment while working.

Apart from the protection that PPEs offer, they also help companies reduce the risks of getting into trouble with the law. Some workplaces are legally mandated to have PPE. Given the pressure that comes with owning personal protection equipment, the process of choosing the right one can be very challenging. Below are some factors to consider.

Assess and Understand the Environment

The most important step is assessing the hazards around the workplace to decide what the right PPE is. You need to be open-minded and understand the effects of each hazard. This process needs the collaboration of different people as this will make it easier to identify these hazards and decide on the right safety clothing with reflective tape and equipment to get for the company staff. It is important to include an independent contributor who doesn’t work in the company so that he or she can provide an unbiased solution.

Know the Right Gear

Before approaching a manufacturer such as Engelbert Strauss to get the PPE, you should be sure of what you need. The gear that a person operating a chemical plant needs differs from that of a construction worker. Hazard assessment will help you determine the kind of PPE you need according to the risks involved. After determining the threats that workers are faced with in their day-to-day activities, you will be in a position to get them the right gear. Some of these threats include impact injuries, sharp objects, extreme temperatures, biological threats, dust, and radiation. When picking the PPE, do so while keeping in mind the risks you identified during the assessment phase.

Once you have picked out the right gear and equipment, the next step should be to train your employees on how to use it. Training begins with the employer making sure that his workers understand what kind of safety clothing and equipment they need and when they require it. The process should include how to put on, remove and adjust the gear and equipment. It is the perfect time to confirm the sizes. The right size is normally determined by the type of the job, size of the wearer and whether there is a need for the employee to wear more protective clothes under the gear. Wearing the gear is not enough. Your workers should simulate their work activities to see how well it fits, which should be perfect. It should not fit too loose or snugly.

Training should also include the PPE limitation, useful life, maintenance, and care and disposal. For example, those working in chemical processing plants should be trained on the proper method to safely dispose of the PPE. This is because exposed clothing is also a hazard.

Go for Quality and Durability

The material and design type of safety clothing will determine its durability. If you buy a helmet that has been made from the cheapest plastic, it will not serve you for more than a couple of weeks. Go for gear that will serve the worker for a long time. Some of these PPEs come with information tags, detailing how long they can last. Do not forget that their durability will be affected by the environment where they get used. Go through the warranty that the manufacturer offers to determine the issues it covers.

As for quality, never compromise it for a lower price tag. Always go for the highest quality and choose products that have met the specified standards. For example, getting your workers footwear made from a cheap material will not prevent the risk of static discharge, which can cause injuries. Ensure the manufacturer has used the finest material and quality build for safety clothing and equipment.

If you follow the above steps, you will keep all your workers protected and make the workplace safe.

Cranston-Based Corky’s Reflective Wear Wins Clothing Product of the Year

Cranston-based Corky’s Reflective Wear has been awarded “Clothing Product of the Year” by the Pet Independent Innovation Awards program.

“Never has safety for pets and their owners been as important as it is today. Most people walk their dogs early in the morning or in the evening. The dangers of low light, low visibility, distracted driving, and poorly lighted roads during these times is at its highest,” explains Top Dog Alan Jacober.

The Awards honor the innovation, excellence, hard work and success in a variety of pet care industry categories.

“As the pet industry continues to grow, we are seeing an evolving shift in how we treat and care for our pets. We see the pet market-focused not just on growth, but on creating tangible value for their products to help give our pets a better life. Our 2019 Pet Independent Innovation Award winners deliver on that focus, providing true value with new and innovative technology. The winners were chosen by a group of judges who are senior-level marketing and pet products professionals who have personally worked within the pet product space,” said Bryan Vaughn, Managing Director of the Pet Independent Innovation Awards.

Corky’s Reflective clothing Wear products are reflective to 1,000 Feet, weatherproof, functional and stylish. Dog Jackets and Extenders, Overcollars, Leashes and Ladies Vests.

The products are made with MiraFab, Corky’s proprietary fiber that is wind resistant, repels water, is a fast-drying micro polar fleece, breathable, maintains body temperature, 3-layer bonded interlock, machine washable and easy to care for and has high visibility reflective tape that can be seen up to 1,000 feet.

Corky’s Reflective Wear’s line is available in many pet specialty stores across the U.S. in 6 colors: Lab Black, Healer Blue, Hunter Green, Doggone Red, Oh My Orange and Precious Pink from XXS – XL.

The products are as follows:

The Overcollar is a simple, practical solution to a common safety problem. Regular collars are often hidden by hair or fur and can’t be seen. This goes “over-the-collar” in seconds providing a high level of visibility and an added level of safety for both the dog and its walker.

“Sportswear for dogs’ describes the line of jackets that have a great look, technical and functional features and are the safest, highest visibility protection for dogs and their owners on their walks. (Complete with a built-in Overcollar for added safety.) And, another very innovative creation is a Jacket Extender is available that adds up to 5 “for ‘dogs who need a little extra room!”

Reflective Leashes have all of the safety elements as the rest of the line with ‘LeashSafe’ for quick-hold safety to easily control your dog in crowded areas, crossing a busy street or in high-stress situations.

Ladies Training Vests combine fashion and function for year-round safety plus weatherproof properties, 2 zippered pockets, a cell phone pocket and a large zippered pocket in the back for treats or storage.

Does your car have reflective tape?

The transport department will launch a drive across Ranchi district next week to enforce the use of retro-reflective tape (RRT) in all types of cars, buses, trucks, and three-wheelers as per Central Motor Vehicle Rules-1980 to cut down on accidents at night.

Ranchi: The transport department will launch a drive across Ranchi district next week to enforce the use of retro-reflective tape (RRT) in all types of cars, buses, trucks, and three-wheelers as per Central Motor Vehicle Rules-1980 to cut down on accidents at night.

Ranchi district transport officer Naresh Paswan, who revealed that they would be launching the drive in conjunction with traffic police, said the decision was based on a fresh directive issued to states, including Jharkhand, by a Supreme Court committee on road safety.

“In Ranchi, the transport department doesn’t issue fitness certificates to vehicles without reflective tape and speed governors. But a periodic check and awareness drive is always advisable to find out whether it is been followed or not on the ground,” he said.

An official explained the need for RRT on vehicles.

“RRT is a tape of high reflective quality. The tape shines even in dim light so that a driver notices a vehicle ahead. The tape has adhesive on one side and can be procured from any automobile shop and pasted on vehicles easily,” he said, adding that while most buses used RRT, other vehicles like cars did not, primarily due to lack of awareness.

He said vehicles must have white tape on the front fender, red on the rear and yellow on both sides of the car.

A meeting of Ranchi traffic police and district transport department officials is likely to be held next week. Ranchi traffic SP Sanjay Ranjan Singh said they had already worked out a plan to launch the drive.

Singh said that RRT was a safety requirement. “Even when a vehicle is stationary, RRT provides safety. People park vehicles on the roadside at night without the backlights blinking. There have been instances when stationary vehicles have been hit on highways. Section 104 of Central Motor Vehicle Act talks about the need for RRT, “he SP said.

While Ranchi district administration is gearing up to launch the drive, Palamau administration began an awareness drive on Friday by publishing a notice in local dailies. The administration has directed all vehicle owners to ensure compliance at the earliest. It has also announced a crackdown.

Driving abroad? Beware of different mandatory equipment

Traveling by car offers many advantages, but also many disadvantages. Those who cannot allow this type of transport should not forget that the same rules as in the Czech Republic do not apply everywhere.

Andrea Schmiedová from Cheb, who went to France last year, knows about this. “We were checked by the police and I did not carry an alcohol tester, which is mandatory here, and a reflective vest for all passengers. Fortunately, they just warned me and I didn’t pay the fine.”

According to experts, the basis of mandatory equipment is the same as in the Czech Republic, but there are differences. “Compulsory equipment in European countries is usually the same as in our country. However, you will also need a fire extinguisher somewhere – for example in Bulgaria, Romania, Greece or Turkey, and if you have an N-category vehicle, Croatia, too,” said Eduarda Hekšová, director of the consumer organization dTest.

Problems await those who drive abroad with a company or rented car. “You will need a confirmation from the owner that you are authorized to drive the car, and you should also take a work contract or a rental car. The confirmation should be in English or another world language and with an officially verified signature,” explained Hekšová. “Take the confirmation even if you are a company executive or even the only person in the company. It can be difficult to negotiate with foreign police.”

Those who are going to drive outside the European Union should check if they need an international driving license. This is usually issued by the authority of any municipality with extended powers.

Albania

In Albania, a tow rope, a first-aid kit, and a triangle are mandatory in the car. It is recommended to carry a fire extinguisher in a passenger car and is mandatory in buses and trucks. Children up to 12 years of age must be seated in the car in the child restraint system. A helmet for cyclists of all ages is also mandatory on the road. Alcohol at the wheel is prohibited.

Belarus

In Belarus, the mandatory equipment of a car includes a reflective vest, a warning triangle, a sticker with a state mark, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. Children up to 12 years of age must be seated in the car in the child restraint system. Phoning behind the wheel is only allowed with hands-free. Alcohol at the wheel is prohibited.

Belgium

In Belgium, a reflective vest for the driver is included. In vehicles registered in Belgium, the reflective vest is also mandatory for the passenger. Motorcyclists who drive motorcycles over 50cc are required to wear protective clothing – gloves, a jacket with long sleeves, trousers with long trousers and boots with ankle protection. For vehicles registered in Belgium, a fire extinguisher is also mandatory. For foreign vehicles, it is only recommended. Children up to 135 cm in height must be seated in the child restraint system. Children from 3 years of age up to 135 cm in height must not sit in the front seat of the car seat. Alcohol at the wheel is allowed at 0.5 ‰.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a mandatory vest must be fitted with a reflective vest for anyone who leaves the car during an emergency, such as an accident. The same goes for bikers. A reflective vest, a first-aid kit, and a warning triangle are also mandatory. All cyclists must wear a helmet, regardless of age. Children from 5 years of age must not sit in the front seat of the car seat. Alcohol at the wheel is allowed at 0.3 ‰.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, all vehicles except motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher. You should not forget the reflective vest, which is mandatory not only for all passengers who get out of the car in the event of an emergency but also for bikers and their passengers. The warning triangle and first aid kit are also mandatory. Children up to 150 cm in height must be seated in a child seat. Children from 3 years of age up to 150 cm in height must not sit in the front seat, even when they are in the car seat. Alcohol at the wheel is allowed at 0.5 ‰.

Montenegro

In Montenegro, a reflective vest is mandatory for all persons leaving the vehicle in the event of an emergency. The same goes for bikers. A safety helmet is mandatory for all cyclists. The warning triangle and first aid kit are also mandatory. Children under 12 must be seated in a restraint system. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 must not sit in the front seat, even when they are in the car seat. Alcohol at the wheel is allowed at a rate of 0.3 ‰ except for professional drivers – they are zero.

Croatia

In Croatia, a mandatory vest must include a reflective vest with reflective tape, a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher (N-category vehicles only). Vehicles with a trailer must have 2 warning triangles. Children under 12 years of age must not be transported in the front seat, except for children under 2 years old who are placed in a safety egg and the airbag is switched off. Children under 12 years must not be transported on motorcycles or mopeds. Children under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle safety helmet. Alcohol at the wheel is only allowed for drivers with experience of 0.5 ‰. Novice drivers and professional drivers have zero alcohol levels.

Reflective vests will be mandatory in Germany from July

Starting in July, drivers in Germany will have to wear reflective vests in cars, and there is a fine for breach of duty. On the same date, the environmental rules for entry into some German cities are also tightened, to which cars with red and yellow emission plaques will no longer be allowed.

The inclusion of a reflective vest in the mandatory equipment of the car should improve the safety of drivers who have to leave the car in the event of an accident or breakdown, as motorists will be able to see them more easily in the surrounding vehicles. The new design does not specify whether the reflective vest should be orange, yellow or green. Unlike Austria, German regulations will not require a vest for every passenger of the car, one will be enough per vehicle.

If the driver does not have a reflective vest with reflective tape in his car, he is at risk of a fine of 15 euros (410 crowns) at the roadside check. German car club ADAC, however, warns that if the driver of the vest when getting off the vehicle, it is not an offense. In this case, however, he will probably not be entitled to compensation from the insurance company if he is injured by a passing car.

Since July, the rules for entry into some German cities have also been tightened. While so far cars with three types of emission plaques were allowed to enter, only cars with a green plaque, which indicates the engine with the least environmental impact, will now be allowed to enter. The measure concerns 21 cities in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Similar arrangements have been in place for example in Berlin.

The type of emission plaque is determined by the number of harmful substances that the vehicle emits into the atmosphere during operation. The Green Plaque has been eligible for petrol-powered cars since 1993, diesel-powered passenger cars since 2006 and trucks put into operation since October 2006. All-electric vehicles are also automatically awarded the Green Plaque.

In the Czech Republic, it is possible to obtain the plaque at most technical inspection stations upon the presentation of a large technical certificate. According to the Central Automotoclub of the Czech Republic, the price of the plaque is around 300 crowns, its validity is not limited in time.

Should the driver enter the defined low-emission zone without an emission plaque or with a lower grade than the given city permits, he will face a fine of EUR 80 (CZK 2200).

Reflective clothing elements save lives

More than one hundred pedestrians die on the roads every year. In the vast majority of cases, these are accidents at night or in poor visibility when the driver overlooks a pedestrian. Therefore, every person moving around the road should wear reflective material elements. Pedestrian hazards are highlighted by the ‘You Can Do It’ campaign run by the Lifebuoy Association.

It is no coincidence that at night the number of accidents related to a collision of a person is significantly higher than during the day. In normal visibility, the driver has more than ten seconds at speed to react to and avoid human movement. At night, reaction time is significantly reduced.

“When a vehicle is driving with high beams on, it will see pedestrians without reflectors at a maximum distance of 100 meters. If the vehicle is traveling at eighty kilometers per hour, the driver has less than five seconds to solve the situation. But if it only shines with the classic dipped beam, it sees pedestrians up to fifty meters away, which means that it has about two and a half seconds to react,” says Lukas Hutta from the Lifebuoy Association, which campaign ‘You Can Do It’.

However, the driver must also take into account the braking distance. “If the driver is doing his job properly, he can respond in about one second, which means he’ll be twenty-two meters away. However, the stopping distance at eighty kilometers is another 32 meters, which can be a disaster. Also, we have to add that this braking distance is only valid on dry roads, on wet asphalt it is ten meters longer,” adds Hutta.

Thanks to reflective elements you will be visible even from ten times greater distance.

Nevertheless, any pedestrian moving near the road can minimize the risk of an accident. All he needs to do is place reflective elements on the moving body, ideally on his wrists, forearms, and ankles. “If a pedestrian is wearing reflective tape elements, the driver can see him up to three hundred meters in the dark with the main beam on. This roughly corresponds to the distance that pedestrians would see during the day,” says Veronika Krajsová, President of the Lifebuoy Association, which brings together rescue bodies and other institutions with which she develops and implements projects related to information, education and prevention in common risk and emergency areas.

Even with the dipped beam, the driver on the pedestrian with reflective elements reacts in time. He could see him at a distance of one hundred and fifty meters. “Reflective elements save lives. But one should not be confused with fluorescent elements. These are obvious at first glance, but unlike reflective elements, they do not reflect light, so they are not visible from such a great distance. However, if you have a white or yellow jacket, you are seeing more than in dark clothes. Nevertheless, a person moving around the road at night should wear several reflective clothing elements, both in the city and in the village,” Krajsová adds.

The association implements a ‘You Can Do It’ campaign, featuring innovative instructional analytics videos based on real road accidents. “In our project, we present the viewers with a unique combination of real shots of IRS units from interventions together with accident analysis and a preventive emotional message from the rescuers’ mouths. Thanks to the analytical part and statements of rescuers intervening at the scene of the event, we acquaint the viewer both with the course of the intervention and mainly with the reasons for the accident and especially with the specification of errors. Our goal is to make the viewer aware of the risks and, of course, we wish to minimize the number of traffic accidents with this project,” Krajsová concludes.

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.