Category: Reflective tape

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.

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.

Las Vegas couple designs upgraded safety vest for road workers, police

A Las Vegas couple is hoping to change the way construction workers dress on the job.

They invented a one-of-a-kind safety vest that could make it easier for drivers to spot road crews before it’s too late.

As the temperatures warm up, you’ve probably seen more orange cones and flashing signs, popping up on valley roads.

“We had prototypes we let constructors use them out on the road,” Megan Collins said.

Experts in the construction industry, Tom Mueller and Collins founded Solar LED Safety Products. They created a new type of vest to keep workers safe.

“It was a process of gluing and putting it on some material that we felt could create the idea that we wanted,” Collins said.

So after more than eight years, five prototypes and three patents, they settled on a final design.

“Just doing manufacturing is a whole new animal for us, so it’s been a lot of learning,” Collins said.

Their vest includes flashing lights, which can help drivers spot them faster, especially at night. Right now, the typical vest only has reflectors.

“So a regular vest requires light to hit the reflective tape and that doesn’t always happen right away,” Collins said. “So if somebody’s coming around a turn, they’re not going to see that reflective material until the light hits it.”

Their battery-operated safety vest is powered by the sun.

“It has four solar panels that recharge 16 lights that flash 60 times a minute for 48 hours,” Collins said. “They can be seen at 2800 feet at night.”

The final product is already in the hands of several valley agencies.

“LVCVA, we have some going out to the City of Las Vegas, NDOT is going to be trying out some,” Collins said.

NDOT spokesperson Tony Illia said they are always looking for ways to decrease work zone fatalities.

“They’re up roughly 2% nationwide, year by year – highway workers being killed in work zones,” he said. “They’re simply doing their jobs to provide for their families and make it home alive. That shouldn’t be too much to ask.”

Now, this Vegas couple hopes their invention will help turn those numbers around.

“If we can stop just 2%, 1%, that’s going to be good,” Mueller said. “The main thing is to take you home to your parents, your family, loved ones.”

Up next, they are working on some new styles including a shorter version, tailored for law enforcement.

“That will allow them to wear it and they can still access their belt, their gun, and everything,” Collins said. “Saving lives, that’s a passion of ours. We’re looking forward to making that awareness on the roadways.”

NDOT also wants to remind drivers speeding fines are doubled in work zones. National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 8-12.

The event is in its 20th year and is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration.

NDOT also brings out a mobile truck with what’s called an impact continuator. Illia said it’s like a movable crash zone that works like a guard rail to protect workers.

Two dozen Nevada Department of Transportation employees has been killed in the line of duty since 1948. The most recent employee that died in the line of duty was Ron Raiche Jr., who was struck and killed by an inattentive driver on March 30, 2015, while repairing roadway cracking on Interstate 80 near Battle Mountain.

Do police need to wear high visibility reflective vests when on duty?

Everybody has heard the urban myth about the driver who escaped a speeding fine because the police officer that issued his ticket wasn’t wearing a high visibility vest for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S). So, with CarAdvice reader Trent e-mailing us with that exact question this week, we set off to investigate.

Q: Hi guys. I love the site! Keep up the great work. I’m from Victoria and a friend told me recently that police can’t issue you with traffic infringements if they are not wearing high visibility reflective vests for safety. Is this right?

A: Good question, Trent. It’s one that has been doing the rounds for some time — where the individual fought a speeding fine because the police officer wasn’t wearing a high visibility reflective vest.

To get a definitive answer, we touched base with the Victoria Police to see what the ruling is in your state.

Victoria Police senior media officer, Ben Radisich, told CarAdvice:

“Members must wear a high visibility vest when performing a role where the primary function is road policing duties or when on roads near moving vehicles. Members will not be required to wear a high visibility vest:

Wherein the assessment of the member, wearing the vest with reflective material represents a serious risk to health and safety (such as responding to an armed offender or siege situation); or if authorized by a supervisor on a specific occasion, for specific duties or planned operations.

If members assess that wearing the high visibility vest on roads represents a serious risk to health and safety they must be able to justify such a decision if required to do so.”

So there you have it, Trent. Generally speaking, police officers must wear high visibility reflective vests with reflective tapes when performing duties outside of their vehicles.

But, that doesn’t mean it’s okay to break the law and use technicalities to get around infringement notices.

Adding arrow to cyclists’ vests reduced number of crashes

Cyclists who are concerned about their safety should don a specially designed high-visibility vest with an arrow to help stay safe on the road, according to new research from UBC Okanagan.

Gordon Lovegrove, an associate professor in the engineering department, and collaborator Takuro Shoji say they were interested to see if communication was more important than visual aids when it comes to bike safety. They added an arrow to a reflective vest with reflective tape to convey a message to Drivers: move over.

Their study, published in the journal Sustainability, claims to be the first paper in the world to study the role communication aids can play to help vulnerable road users (VRUs).

Researchers gave cyclists high-visibility vests with different designs, as well as no vests, and discovered that a vest with an arrow design pointing left (which made of reflective heat transfer vinyl) was the most effective.

The study discovered that the arrow vest design reduced the number of traffic accidents between cyclists and drivers.

“Vehicles passing VRU test subjects wearing the arrow vest design showed more respect, and participants’ perceptions generally agreed,” the study reads.

Part of their research, Lovegrove says, was fuelled by an interest in examining whether the advice of “Be safe, be seen” actually helped cyclists.

He notes that bikers are recommended to have front and rear lights, reflectors and brightly-colored clothing, but it doesn’t just help.

“While overall detectability on the road is critical, evidence suggests that current conspicuity aids cannot provide safety in their current form,” And a more optimal design is needed.”

The researchers call the results “promising,” but add that they used a relatively small sample size, and additional work is required to further test their findings.

For safety while boozing: every age is in demand

With reflective adhesive film and special safety vests for Boßelgruppen, Verkehrswacht wants to make people’s enjoyment, which often involves alcohol, safer. The non-profit association provides both of these free of charge via its office in Papenburg. A comment.

An offer that all ages should use – regardless of whether or not something has happened in the past few years or decades when booing with friends or neighbors. Because unfortunately far too often dispense in particular older Boßelspieler on such security measures, true to the motto “It has still gone well”. At any rate, restaurateurs report that. These players should keep in mind: The one time may be the last, namely when an accident ends fatally. And who would have thought that younger Boßel players seem to be more sensitized to safety vests with reflective tapes, flashing lights or reflective adhesive film?

It would be even better if it did not remain with material security measures, but it would also come to personal. This means that at least one member of the group remains sober.

CHEAP ADVERTISING GADGETS FOR BUSINESSES? REFLECTIVE!

Nowadays, enterprises, institutions, and companies are facing a difficult task, which is to stand out with their services or products against the competition. It is enough, however, to undertake proper marketing activities and meticulously implement the adopted strategy to achieve success. Advertising gadgets provide invaluable help in this regard.

Let’s be honest: who among us does not like to receive gifts? Even a small gift can improve your mood. And if this is a useful little thing, joy is double. Marketers most often reach for promotional gadgets such as pens, notebooks, and lanyards. Unfortunately, this type of gift is already highly overrated and may not bring the expected results. The recipient will quickly throw them into the drawer, and the print on them will not even be memorable. Therefore, the choice of advertising gadgets needs to be well thought out so that their distribution will bring the desired result.

Why do you need company gadgets?

Company (advertising) gadgets have one basic task – they are to make the recipient use them regularly, and thus remind themselves of the existence and activity of the company from which they received them. Therefore, before we choose advertising gadgets for companies, we need to think about what our customers may find useful and what they will throw away in the trash. The gift must be functional enough to evoke good associations. The company logo should be placed on it in a visible place so that the recipient and the people around him can remember it as soon as possible.

Advertising gadgets that people use? Glare!

Printed company gadgets are one of the most popular marketing tools used by enterprises. Many studies have already proved their effectiveness, which is why companies have been giving their clients small gifts such as pens and notebooks for years. Each company excels in this type of thing because of its wide availability and relatively low price, so to attract the customer’s attention you need to choose something that is not yet so common. A good idea is not only anti-stress gadgets but also printed glare. In addition to the advertising function, they play an additional, useful role.

Reflective gadgets handed to clients at conferences or fairs show them that we care not only for our company’s offer to be remembered, but also for improving their visibility on the road after dark, and thus, increasing safety. In addition to standard reflective products such as self-locking bands or key rings, printed reflective vests can be a hit.

Reflective vests with reflective materials are not only a mandatory element of the car’s equipment. It is also outerwear that should be worn when we are planning a walk after dark or night cycling. It is also a product to be supplied to children. Given the widespread use of printed vests, this is a thing that works great as an advertising gadget.

A reflective vest with a print from a marketing point of view has the largest advertising space. There is enough space on the back of the vest to place the company’s logo or go a step further and print a catchy slogan referring to its activity, which will be remembered not only by the owner of the vest but also by people who will see it.

Wearing reflective vests with reflective tapes has long ceased to be seen as an unpleasant duty. More and more people are beginning to realize how important glare are reflectors and how effectively they can protect them from danger. That is why the choice of vests for promotional gadgets is the most hit. By giving your customers practical company gadgets with the logo, you can be sure that they will not go to the bottom of the drawer, but will be used daily, which means that many people will see them, which will translate into better sales.

The most dangerous time for pedestrians is coming

“Looking over the years, pedestrian safety has improved significantly, which is undoubtedly the result of working together and the right strategy in this area,” Vesna Marinko, v. d. Director of the Agency for Traffic Safety, where they are currently working to improve pedestrian safety as part of national preventive action.

The Be Visible – Be Careful campaign will last until October 13, 2019. The campaign seeks to draw attention to the safety of pedestrians who are among the most vulnerable road users, with a focus on the safety of children and older road users.

Progress in all areas

“Pedestrian safety and traffic accidents are affected by various factors. Both vehicles and infrastructure, as well as human behavior and behavior in traffic. Looking at vehicles alone, there has been a lot of progress in recent years. We know different pedestrian detection systems, dead than freight. vehicles, not least the entire automotive industry is mainly trying to design the front of the vehicle differently,” Marinko says.

While car manufacturing and infrastructure require the participation of the masses, there is much that pedestrians can do for their safety.

Be tolerant

The AVP emphasizes the need to respect the rules of the road and, of course, the need for tolerance among all road users. It should be borne in mind that there are different groups of pedestrians on pedestrian surfaces, like children, the elderly, we also have differently impaired people, so such persons also need special attention.

Pedestrian safety is becoming especially important in the coming months. The visibility is lower, the days are shorter and the roads are much more slippery.

Pedestrian-related topic

In 2019, as many as 9 of the 11 pedestrian deaths died in the dark part of the day. Data for the five years (2014–2018) show, however, that about two-thirds of pedestrians (47 of 75 pedestrian deaths, or 63%) die in the dark part of the day when visibility is impaired. None of the pedestrian deaths in 2014 had a reflective body.

A pilot pedestrian observation was carried out at AVP is 2017, and the results showed that the proportion of use of different reflectors was extremely low – only 1.2% of pedestrians had a firefox or reflective tape, 4.2% of other reflective materials, as much as 93% of pedestrians did not use any reflector. Therefore, 16,000 reflecting bodies will be distributed during the national preventive action.

Wear fireflies

“Therefore, as the Traffic Safety Agency emphasizes in all preventive actions, the pedestrian visibility must be kept in mind. We have distributed over two million fireflies in Slovenia, which means that every Slovenian could have one firefighter by now,” adds Marinkova.

Modern times, however, put pedestrian safety at stake. Pedestrians using a mobile phone pose the greatest danger when writing text messages or posting on social networks. This is extremely dangerous when walking or crossing the road.

AVP has been told that cell phones are distracting from traffic. According to research, pedestrian reactions are reduced by as much as 60%.

Pedestrian-friendly e-scissors

They are also highlighting new forms of e-mobility, such as e-scooters and similar forms of special means of transport, which are increasingly occupying pedestrian areas. Therefore, the Agency has already proposed updating the legislation.

“The problem with electric scooters, however, is certainly their speed and their quietness,” Marinko replies to the topic Automotive.

This should not in any way be a blow to the often slightly sublime behavior of pedestrians, but it is worth remembering once again the known fact. Marinko concludes that walking is the most natural form of exercise, is emission-free, and has many positive health effects: “25 minutes of walking a day brings seven years of quality life to an individual.”

Hope for Road Workers and Careless Drivers

Dars now use a special collision safety bellows mounted on the back of a truck or a larger delivery truck to protect workplace lockups, as well as vehicle breakdowns on back belts and accidents. Its main role is the absorption of released energy upon impact.

The first defense pillar that protects careless drivers by overlooking all light alerts and traffic loops is the safety bellows. This safety element, whose aluminum core, embedded in panels or honeycombs, is capable of absorbing large amounts of energy upon impact, has saved many lives on our roads.

Experienced maintenance coordinator Dusan Molek from Dars Highway Base in Postojna, Dusan Molek, who is very involved in highway safety, says that in the case of a safety bellows, it is fairly effective protection:

“The onboard safety bellows are introducing a new rulebook, and are intended for highway users, drivers who make a mistake. Its technology allows a clumsy driver who overlooks all the signage and bumps up to a hundred miles per hour to save lives. Unfortunately, work barriers are too frequent, and this year alone, the oncoming security bellow has already played the role of a defensive pillar three times this year. “

1. Turn on the turn signals

We drive 130 miles an hour and all of a sudden the car breaks down. In such a case, immediately turn on all the safety indicators. Let’s not try turning the key and pressing the gas immediately. Instead, we press the clutch pedal, as this is the only way to maintain enough speed to shift the calm vehicle to the edge of the carriageway. the paragraph lane where we stop.

2. Make sure you wear a reflective vest

When leaving the car, all passengers in the vehicle must wear a reflective vest with reflective material. If we do not do this or we do not have a vest, we are especially visible in the mist, in the snow and at night, and present a possible risk of a vehicle colliding with us. Also, police officers can find us.

After stopping, the vehicle must be left as soon as possible, being very careful, since the remaining traffic is running smoothly. In the rear-view mirrors, we have to make sure that the carriageway is empty while holding the reflective vest with reflective tape we will put on our way out. With our vest – even at night – we are secured and visible at greater distances. Otherwise, we must get out of the vehicle as quickly as possible and retreat behind its rear. Possible passengers should exit through the right door and retreat beyond the guardrail – special caution is needed on objects and those parts where there is a gap behind the guardrail. They then wear a vest and keep an active eye on traffic.

3. Safety triangle

The following is the installation of the safety triangle. If we know where it is, we can quickly find and use it, but if we have a lot of luggage loaded in the car, we will be in big trouble, so the triangle should always be on hand for quick use. It is advisable to learn how to make a triangle at home because even in this moment of panic, even this simple act can cause problems. We need to place the triangle at least 100 meters from the vehicle. The longer the distance, the sooner drivers will be able to react and prepare for danger.

It is very important not to move around the right lane when setting the triangle, but to walk only behind the safety fence.

THE NATIONAL REFLECTION DAY IS OCTOBER 18

National Reflex Day is being organized for the 13th time in 2018. The goal of the day is to increase the use of reflex and to reduce the number of pedestrian accidents. Kyrre Gorvell-Dahl better known as Kygo is this year’s reflex designer.

Safe Traffic’s call to everyone this day is: Find out your reflections, check that they still have an effect and attach them to the outer jackets. Or go out and buy yourself a new little lifeguard this day!

The margins between a near-accident and a serious accident are small

Over 1, 7 million Norwegians have experienced near-misses due to lack of reflex use according to Trygg Trafikk. We know that reflex works, but there are still few who use reflex! In recent years, about 4 out of 10 have been using reflexes.

The effect of reflex is higher than many people think

Pedestrians are at higher risk than many other road users, especially in the dark. The risk is at least twice as high for being hit in the dark as in daylight. The accidents often happen because drivers are unable to detect dark pedestrians in the dark until it is too late. It also turns out that the chance is greater in the evening for drivers to drive with a crush or less alert due to fatigue. And when we know that pedestrians are far less protected against accidents than people in cars, it underlines the importance of reflex use.

The purpose of using reflections and clothing with visible colors and reflective materials is to make you visible so that the driver can detect you more easily, even in situations where motorists do not count on any pedestrians. Reflective use reduces pedestrian accidents. Without a reflective material, you are first visible at 25 – 30 meters, while with reflective tape you appear at 140 meters when the car uses a low beam.

Converted to seconds, the driver has 10 instead of 2 seconds to respond, it can be the difference between life and death.

Street lighting creates false security, and many believe that reflexes are not necessary when walking in areas with street lights. It is wrong. Even if you see the car, the motorist does not see you. Therefore, it is cheap life insurance to always use at least one reflex when you are out in the dark.

Tips on using reflex

Safe Traffic recommends hanging the reflex at knee height. Then receive the most light from the car headlights. Reflections that move when you use them, they seem best. A strong color reflective vest will have a good effect both in the dark and in daylight. Check that the pedestrian reflex you are using is marked with CE EN 13356, it is of good quality. But reflections get worn when you retrieve the old reflectors from the drawer check that it affects! Put the reflectors in the pocket of the jackets you wear, so you don’t have to remember to bring it with you when you go out.