Category: reflective tapes

Reflective elements save lives

Any person who moves around the road should wear reflective vest elements. Pedestrian threats are highlighted by the campaign You Can Do It, which is implemented 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 lights with the classical dipped beams, it sees pedestrians up to fifty meters away, which means that it has about two and a half seconds to respond,” says Lukáš Hutta from the Lifebuoy Association, which is the campaign You Can Do.

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 material 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 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. events.

Even with the dipped beam, the driver on the pedestrian with reflective tape 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 elements, both in the city and in the village,” Krajsová adds.

The association implements the You Can Do It campaign in which it presents innovative instructional and analytical videos based on real traffic 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.

Proper selection and care of warning work clothes is a must

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

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

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

Regular inspection is vital

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

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

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

Seeing and being seen in road traffic is essential!

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

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

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

Colorful clothing with reflective fabric and reflective elements!

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

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

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

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

Do you know how and where to place the emergency stop sign?

Although drivers do not expect or wait for an emergency, they need to wear a reflective vest with reflective tape and an emergency stop sign in addition to a fire extinguisher, a safety kit and driving. However, do drivers know how to properly place this sign and what else to do?

Driving instructor Paulius Kazėnas says that keeping this right is not always given enough attention and that drivers who get caught in an emergency are often forgotten about how to behave. “The first thing to do in a situation like this is, of course, to turn on the emergency light. However, this alone is not enough and regardless of the time of day, it is recommended to wear a bright colored reflective vest before leaving the car for better visibility,” the specialist said.

However, before doing this, alone, again, this is not enough – you also need to put up an emergency stop sign. The Road Traffic Code (KET) stipulates that if the vehicle is parked at a standstill where the vehicle is stopped by other road users less than 100 meters away, the driver of a motor vehicle, tractor, to place an emergency stop sign immediately on the side of the carriageway on the side of the carriageway: not less than 25 m in settlements and not more than 50 m from settlements in non-settlements. potentially impaired visibility of the vehicle to other drivers. The instructor also advised that the estimated distances can be estimated in steps.

Reminded scooter drivers of where they can go and when to use a helmet

Cyclists and scooters rush through the city streets and sidewalks as the weather warms. Although the latter vehicle has taken to the streets until recently, it has become one of the favorites. However, it is noteworthy that frequent scooter drivers still forget that it is not only a vehicle for entertainment but also a vehicle, and its drivers must comply with all Road Traffic Rules (Road Traffic Rules).

Scooters, especially electric scooters, are often seen as a pastime by city dwellers, but Laurynas Jovaišas, the chief inspector of the Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration, reminds that people should remember that the requirements of the KET for bicycle riders combustion engine or electric motor, of an output not exceeding 1 kW and capable of a speed of not more than 25 km / h.

How to ride a scooter As with conventional or electric bikes, scooter riders need to be aware of and adhere to all KETs. Electric scooters can be used to cycle along bicycle lanes and lanes or, if they do not, to sidewalks or the right of the road. Electric scooter drivers must keep as close to the right edge as possible while moving in the driveway, only when turning left, turning, overtaking, or when only the right lane is allowed from the first lane.

In all cases, the scooter driver must pay attention to the KET and ensure pedestrian safety when riding the sidewalk. For example, a pedestrian scooter can only drive at pedestrian speeds of up to 6-7 km / h. speed.

When deciding to ride a scooter, it is advisable to first wear a helmet and other protective equipment, and first test the acceleration of this vehicle before driving. The choice of wearing a helmet or not is indeed restricted to persons of legal age, and those under 18 years of age must always wear a helmet. Also, when driving at night, the scooter driver should turn on the white lights on the front of the scooter and the red lights near the rear wheel. Scooter drivers must wear a bright-colored safety vest with reflective tapes, both at night and during daytime driving. Please note that the scooter can only be used on the driveway if its brakes and acoustic signal are in good working order.

Not All It is true that electric scooters, by their technical characteristics, can be classified as mopeds. If the vehicle is capable of a speed of between 25 and 45 km / h and has a maximum net power of between 1 kW and 4 kW, it is classified as a moped.

Such vehicles must be registered, have valid roadworthiness tests and civil liability insurance, and must be licensed by AM or any other relevant category. Those who disregard the order and do not have the necessary documents would be subject to administrative liability. Information prepared in cooperation with the Lithuanian Road Administration under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Don’t change your healthy lifestyle against road safety

Cycling and jogging are the most popular outdoor activities in Latvia. However, only slightly more than half of them use means to be noticeable on the road and reduce the likelihood of being involved in a road accident. Active citizens have been shown to take greater care of children by providing them with reflective vests and reflectors, while not paying as much attention to their safety.

The survey shows that 68% of active people in Latvia are engaged in cycling and 37% in jogging. Hiking (33%), dog walking (15%) and Nordic walking (5%) are also popular activities. The main reasons for these activities are people maintaining themselves in good shape, improving their health, and the bicycle is also used as a way of movement.

More than half (52%) of active people engage in outdoor activities throughout the year, regardless of the weather, while 39% opt for the warm and dry months of the year. Most, or 63%, of those surveyed, do these activities in the evening after work, and almost a third in the morning.

Less than one third, or 31%, use high visibility reflective vests with reflective tapes to enhance their safety. The most popular means are the use of luminaires (53%), the use of reflectors and other reflective accessories (46%), but 4% of the respondents rely on the reflective materials in their clothing.

Statistics from the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) for 2018 report that 625 cyclists and 867 pedestrians were injured in road accidents in Latvia last year. By contrast, the number of fatal cyclists in 2018 was 9 and the number of pedestrians was 51. Lack of visibility is mentioned as one of the main causes of accidents, resulting in drivers noticing the cyclist or pedestrian too late.

How to choose a school bag?

From September, our child will have a daily companion bag, which, if wrongly chosen, can cause shoulder and back pain.

Quality instead of fashion

It may be tempting to get a cheap but more fashionable backpack during your bag deals but don’t. The life of such a bag will probably be only a few weeks, maybe a month, and then we have to look for another bag. So it’s better to invest now and land on a durable, quality piece. Let’s see if the material it is made of is strong enough. Doesn’t it disappear somewhere? Will, it does not easily separate along the stitches/perforations? The zipper should always be covered with fabric to protect it from the rain!

Size matters

If the size of the bag is not good, the child will be misplaced while wearing it, which is a direct way to back and shoulder pain. Therefore, when choosing a school bag, the most important consideration is perfect size and comfort! Here are some practical tips for doing this.

1. Select the appropriate size: The width of the bag should be approximately the width of the child’s back. In short, a young child should not carry an adult backpack. The upper part of the bag should ideally start 5-6 inches below the shoulder and end at the waist or slightly above the waist.

2. An ergonomically designed, well-ventilated back is important: It protects the small spine and does not sweat in warm weather.

3. Wide, padded, adjustable shoulder strap: This is important for comfort and weight reduction. It is important that we adjust the shoulder straps to equal lengths and that our child does not carry his/her schoolbag halfway.

4. Looking for a multi-pocket, multi-compartment bag: This helps ensure better weight distribution. Heavier books or objects should be placed close to the child’s back and lighter ones should be placed in the front pockets. Of course, it is not the last one in terms of organization.

5. The weight of the bag should never exceed 15% of the weight of the child: The bag and its contents should remain below this value. This means a maximum of 6 pounds for a 45 kg child. The newest models weight less than 1 kg.

6. Stable soles: For the underwear especially, but also for older children, it is advantageous to have a hard plastic soleplate so that it can be placed firmly on the floor and the books are better placed inside.

7. It does not hurt to have fluorescent reflective materials or reflective tapes on it: It is essential for the safety of our child when traveling alone in the rain or fog.

8. Before You Buy Try It Out: Take some of the things your child will normally carry in the bag, put it in the piece of choice and check the weight distribution.

Halifax cyclist uses pink pool noodle for added safety

When Ella Dodson rides her bike on the streets of Halifax, she’s easy to spot.

The woman from the city’s north end has strapped a bright pink pool noodle covered in reflective tape and twinkly lights to the back of her bicycle.

The noodle, she says, is a “polite reminder” of the law that cars must give at least one meter when passing cyclists.

“It’s a very cheap piece of personal protection,” Dodson said.

The idea came shortly after a close call with a car near the corner of Agricola and Charles Streets, where the city has added a pedestrian bump-out. It makes things safer for pedestrians but made the lane smaller for cars and cyclists.

“I was quite terrified,” she said. “So I was so angry. I wrote to the city complaining about the pedestrian bump-out saying that if this is a cycling street, they really ought to also provide for cyclists,” she said.

Only a week later, she was visiting a friend who was hit and injected while in a marked crosswalk over a year ago.

“Some of her injuries are never going to heal. After seeing how much was changing in her life, I decided to screw it all. I was going to become a dorky old lady with a pool noodle on the back of my bike.”

Dodson went to Canadian Tire and bought a $ 1.99 pool noodle as well as matching pink bungee cords to hold it in place.

Cyclist using a pool noodle to demonstrate Ellen’s Law says he was hit by a car

The bicycle is Dodson’s sole form of transportation.

“I’m a bit older and I’m a very slow rider and I use my bike for transporting groceries,” she said.

“As I started thinking about it, I kept hoping that other people would do it too because there seems to be a great deal of animosity between cyclists and drivers.”

She says she’d like to see wider roads and cycling lanes, but she hopes city planners will think about catering to those besides just young commuters.

“There’s a whole range of other people who aren’t cycling in Halifax because they don’t feel safe,” she said.

“And safety is going to come when we have enough people cycling on the road and enough people who are visible on the road.”

Flagger Safety 101

Workers who help control the flow of traffic in work zones are at particular risk of injury or death. According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, also known as CPWR, flaggers’ safety risks include motorists driving at high speeds and aggressive Drivers.

Although working as a flagger is dangerous, workers can take steps to make sure they are seen by drivers. CPW notes that flaggers should wear high- visibility clothing. If working at night, add a reflective vest with reflective tape. Workers also should wear long-sleeved shirts and pants, a hard hat, and other clothing designed for adverse weather.

Also, according to CPWR, flaggers should follow some do’s and don’ts when working.

Do:

Pay attention to the surrounding conditions.

Have an escape route plan in case of an emergency.

Stay in communication with other flaggers.

Don’t:

Stand within a lane of open traffic.

Use hand signals that conflict with traffic signals.

React to aggressive drivers.

Stand in the shade, around a sharp curve or over the crest of a hill.

Listen to music or use earphones.

Turn your back to traffic.

Reflective action in the parish church

“Encourage and convince you to use reflective vests can be in many ways. A great opportunity was a meeting with children and teenagers in the church.” says a press officer in the District Police Headquarters.

 

Deputy Inspector. Bożena Buczkowska from the police along with priest Piotr Szcześniak from the parish St. Józefa in Inowrocław, after a short talk, handed parishioners stamps and reflective tapes. The action was carried out so that getting around with reflections on the roads was safer.

 

“It is worth talking with traffic participants about reflections and explaining their “operation”. Well, however, when listeners can almost immediately find out about it. Hence a talk in one of the Inowrocław parishes with a group of children and youth,” adds Izabella Drobniecka.