reflective vest Archives - Page 4 of 21

A year and a half with mandatory reflective elements

On Sunday it will be a year and a half since pedestrians were to start shining on our roads. Literally, on February 20, 2016, the following formula was added to the Road Traffic Act: “If a pedestrian moves outside the village on a side or roadside in a place not illuminated by public lighting, he/she is obliged to wear retro-reflective material positioned so as to be visible to other road users.”

Light Up

It’s shortly before 9 pm when we pass the sign indicating the end of Prague. We decided to see how the Czechs comply with the law. True, all kinds of reflectors, belts, and clothing strips are grim autumn and winter. But the law applies without exception even at the end of a capricious summer. Is it already dark or not? This is what we say when approaching from Radotín towards Černošice – we meet a completely unlit runner. The legislation defines reduced visibility by not recognizing other vehicles, people, animals or objects on the road. It is not only about darkness, dusk or dawn, but also heavy rain, snow, and fog.

From a statistical point of view, the new regulation looks promising. Perhaps in the first year of validity, the number of killed pedestrians at night outside the village decreased from 37 to 31, which is almost a fifth decrease. A massive communication campaign, warning of the possible consequences of invisible night walks, certainly played its role.

The fact that the reflective components make sense is further supported by other harsh numbers: “After the law came into effect, we registered a total of 24 killed pedestrians with reduced visibility. In seventeen cases, the pedestrian was not demonstrably reflective,” says Petr Habenicht of the Police Presidium.

Rather a warning

“Yes, I know I should have a flashing tape. I wear it in winter, but it is not completely dark yet,” the runner we meet at the outskirts of Hlásná Třebáň grows in front of us. At least she wears a distinctive red T-shirt – but it wouldn’t help her before the law.

“After the introduction, we announced that we would especially explain to pedestrians the meaning of this duty. At the same time, however, we pointed out that, as the end of the year, which tends to be the riskiest to pedestrians, is approaching, police officers will also apply block fines for non-compliance,” explains Habenicht.

However, not only unmarked pedestrians but also drivers behave dangerously in the dark. “Classic halogen headlamps have a range of up to 100 meters, which should be adjusted to speed. If we do not, we often do not have enough room for an adequate response. At the last minute we are not able to react to the obstacle,” says Besip’s head Martin Farář.

We know

Another problem that annoys night roads is the poor lighting of many cars. As we head to the destination of today’s journey, we chose the village in style.

Darkness near Beroun, we see for ourselves. Although traffic is minimal, the percentage of squinting or squinting cars is significant. The risk is not only for pedestrians but also for the surrounding drivers, which can unpleasantly dazzle. Beware of them, we say to each other as we approach an intersection somewhere in the fields. Five young people with a dog walk along the verge. Reflective elements nowhere, at least have well visible white T-shirts and hold much to the edge. On the right side of the road. “I know we should have tapes. But we didn’t take them with us. But we are cautious,” one of the girls surprised us with an apologetic tone. When we leave, the crew moves off the road. By law, pedestrians are allowed to walk along the side of the road or at the edge of the road no more than two side by side. In low visibility, they even have to go behind – that is if it is not a light-marked, organized formation. However, according to Besip’s experience, rainfall is regularly caused by ignorance of the rules. Pedestrians in low traffic do not care where to cross. “They go red, run off the crossing, and even across the highway. At night we are more anonymous and more often sin on rules, which can have tragic consequences,” says Farář. A repeated problem is just walking on the wrong side of the road. “The car thus arrives at the back of the infantrymen and therefore cannot react adequately. They also commonly believe that when they see the lights, the car sees them. This is a great misunderstanding and underestimation of the situation! ”Warns the pastor.

Where are they?

When we arrive in dark Tman, it is half-past eleven and there is no one on the roads. , Berounsko has fallen asleep and we are slowly going home. We are already wondering if it was necessary to make such a halo around the elements when nobody walks on the roads. Although, the strap or reflector does not have anyway. We drove the lanes over sixty kilometers and did not hit pedestrians with reflective elements.

We are now approaching the highway when we see the bright glare of the reflective tape at the edge of the Court. It’s hard to say what a grim figure in dark clothes is doing here. To meet her a little further behind the curve, we would probably be surprised without the tape – of course, it is on the wrong side, the right side of the road.

It is surprising how little we see reflective elements on Czech roads. Statistics show that their benefits are indisputable. However, it will probably take a lot of effort before the Czechs accept them.

Reflective elements from the perspective of law

As we wrote at the turn of the year, the obligation to wear reflective elements has brought a new balance between driver and pedestrian from a legal perspective. “There has been a situation where not only the driver has to focus on driving, but the pedestrian is obliged to be seen,” describes attorney Jan Černý. Before the effect of the amendment infecting pedestrians to become visible for the police and hence the prosecutor, the primary culprit of a potential collision was the driver. “I have also experienced cases of the accusation of a chauffeur, when a pedestrian walked on the wrong side of the road, was darkly dressed and even under the influence of alcohol,” explains Černý.

Experts agree that in the investigation of traffic accidents, it focuses not only on the driver but also on the possible proportion of pedestrians. “We have a duty here and it is assessed whether the pedestrian had a reflective element. If a driver with a reflective element had seen it, the driver could be fully developed,” Jan Černý continues.

Therefore, it may happen that a pedestrian who is hit by a car without a reflector will not get any compensation. “In every individual case, we examine whether the element has been used, how it was placed, and what its reflective area was,” says Libor Beran of Allianz, pointing out that if the pedestrians are to blame, it may even be he who pays.

About reflective elements with Martin Farář from Besip

It is a year and a half of our duty to wear reflective elements. How do you perceive the introduction?

When we look at the year-on-year statistics for 2015 and 2016 outside the municipality where the obligation applies, we have seen twenty fewer deaths in reduced visibility. Moreover, after a long time, legislation and a large campaign came together, which was subsequently supported by police action to check that pedestrians wear the belts.

What about this year’s first half?

The trend continues, although in the first half of the year there were no major declines. However, we expect the main season of reflective elements and the most dangerous situations only at the end of the calendar year.

There was also talk of introducing the obligation to wear reflective elements even in unlit parts of municipalities.

From the beginning, we have been for nationwide introduction in places where there is no public lighting. This would be true, for example, in the peripheral parts of municipalities where there is often no pavement. Reflective items should be worn to increase the chances of a pedestrian seeing.

The introduction was accompanied by an extensive campaign. To be continued?

Definitely. We will also continue to cooperate with the traffic police, which will again make available a large number of reflective items. The goal is to reach as many people as possible. We do not want this to be based strictly on enforcement, but for the state to bring something – elements will be distributed and we will repeat why it is important to use them. It should not be based on repression.

On the legs and wrists

If you are on the road in poor visibility, we recommend using two straps: ideally one forearm and the other over the ankle. “We always put them on the right side, because outside the villages where there is no sidewalk, we walk in the opposite direction, ie the right side of the road,” recommends Martin Farář, head of Besip. “The lights of an incoming car shine first in the lower half of the body, so it is good to have the tape as low as possible. It is important to avoid having our clothes covered, especially when we put it on the wrist,” he adds. Although the law requires use exclusively outside the municipality, we recommend this element whenever you are in unlit areas.

How to choose a reflector

Hundreds of reflective elements are available on the market – the differences in visibility are abysmal. Which one to choose? “The guideline for choosing a quality material can be a CE quality certificate or a brand of a respected manufacturer. When it comes to clothing, such as a reflective vest, there should also be information about how to wash and how many wash cycles the material will last without changing its properties,” advises Zuzana Orlichová. It is also advisable to test the product before purchasing. On the market, there are products with a lower reflectance than may seem at first glance and not every tape is well visible after lighting. “We can measure the reflectance by using a camera with a flash, for example on a mobile,” says Lukáš Pejpal.

10 road rules you must follow this fall

Summer has said “no” to the sunny and warm day, giving the relay to the next season. In autumn, lower temperatures are often associated with ground frost, fog, and reduced visibility.

All road users must be prepared for difficult road conditions by more frequent fogs, rain and, as a result, on wet or icy roads. It is better to be prepared than surprised, so the police are bringing ‘ten’ useful tips that will help to drive safely and reach a happy destination.

1. The most common mistakes of pedestrians – sudden entry into the road from the sidewalk without looking around, poor estimation of the distance and speed of the vehicle, crossing off the passage (often even cross four lanes), underestimating reflective tapes on clothing.

The right response – to anticipate, to cross the road at designated locations, to avoid risky sections, not to climb over railings, not to risk. The obligation of pedestrians walking on the side of the road or on the edge of the road to wear reflective elements or wearing reflective safety clothing not only outside the village but also in the village in low visibility.

2. Police Recommendation – Use reflective elements on the side of the body that faces the road (not the shoulder). Reflective items should be placed best close to the knees and at waist level, on the shoulders, cyclists also on helmets and bicycles. Reflective stickers stick to shoe soles, bikes, skates, helmets, scooters, school bags, crutches or strollers. Children’s clothing, school bags, and accessories equipped with reflective and fluorescent safety features.

3. The most frequent mistakes of cyclists – without lights, without reflective elements, cycling outside the village without a helmet (under 15 years also in the village), on the wrong side of the road and driving in groups side by side and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The right response – to keep track of what is happening around you and always make sure of safe passage, to give you a visible and timely signal of your hands-on changing direction, use of helmets and protectors, reflective elements.

4. Police recommendation – if parents take a child on a bicycle trip, the child must always be in front of them to be able to influence their driving by giving them a warning. Care must be taken to ensure that his health is adequately protected – by a helmet, limbs, reflective elements on clothing. In case of bad weather (iceberg, snow) use other means of transport.

5. Aquaplaning – there is more water between the tire and the road than the tread can handle, the car “floats” and becomes unmanageable.

Correct response – leg out of gas, depress the clutch. Align the steering wheel until the tire touches the road. Hold the steering wheel with both hands and do not risk overtaking.

6. Fog – difficult driving conditions with reduced visibility, wet road.

Correct response – reduce speed, increase the distance between vehicles. Switch on the fog lights, while driving in the columns, the first and the last in the row are sufficient to avoid blinds of other drivers.

7. Beast – risk especially at night and in the morning, unexpectedly and unpredictably.

The right response – avoid the obstacle at high speed. The consequences of skidding may be greater than the collision itself, especially when driving on a motorway.

8. Agricultural machinery – dirty road from mud and leaves, increased risk of skidding.

The right response – anticipate, reduce speed, pay particular attention to preventing heavy machinery.

9. Fruit pickers – trees on the roads attract “pickers”, comfortable bikes on the road, bikes, running children and adults in dark clothes.

The correct reaction of drivers – increase caution, monitor the situation, reduce speed.

The correct reaction of pantographs – reflective vests, belts, caps, whatever makes them visible to the driver and ensures that their “vehicles” do not endanger others.

10. Police recommendation – in difficult weather conditions to predict in particular, adjust speed to weather and your abilities, monitor the situation especially around stops, schools and shopping centers, where the movement of pedestrians and cyclists is increased. Give them a preference where they have it.

Reflective vests designed to protect pedestrians

Without reflective waistcoat or reflective tape either to the store or to the neighbor. This may look like this year in Slovak villages and towns. In an amendment to the Road Traffic Act, the Ministry of the Interior suggests that pedestrians walking along the road should wear protective features in poor visibility if they do not walk on the sidewalk. Today they need to have reflective fabrics on their clothes only when they are outside the village.

With this measure, the Ministry wants to prevent traffic accidents, which usually end to the detriment of pedestrians. Of the 442 accidents caused by pedestrians last year, up to 384 have occurred in the village. If they do not have them, they can be fined 60 euros.

“I consider it stupid. In my opinion, it would be sufficient if only cyclists were to have a reflective sign. I cannot imagine that I should always wear such a vest. And there is also a financial factor. In our country, there are ten-member households who live in poor social conditions. I can’t imagine buying a reflective vest for everyone in the family,” says Silvia Juhászová, a 33-year-old resident of Čamoviec in the Lučenec district.

Thirty-seven-year-old Fiľakovčan Tomáš Csík understands the effort to protect pedestrians but does not agree with fines if they do not have reflective elements. “In the evening I use to walk a few meters to the neighbors. I am careful about cars. When any goes, I step aside to keep my eyes off. I cannot agree with the draft of such a law,” said 64-year-old Ján Horňan from Trebeľovce near Lučenec.

The mayor of Liptovský Ján Juraj Filo cannot imagine how he explains the new duty to tourists. The village is visited annually by about 500 thousand. “If a foreign visitor gets such a fine for something, he won’t come anymore,” says Filo. The mayor of Štrba, Michal Sýkora, says there is no need to worry about the reflective elements. “I also try to explain to young people that it is not just a reflective vest, and these reflective elements can also look modern.”

The ministry points out that stricter rules for pedestrians have necessitated a negative trend in the number of accidents in which the most vulnerable road users die or suffer serious injuries. Last year, according to police statistics, 15 people were killed in roads, two of them children. “Pedestrians caused a total of 442 traffic accidents last year, of which 384 were in the village,” police spokeswoman Denisa Balogh said.

On the side of stricter regulations is also favored traffic analyst Jozef Drahovský, according to which drivers do not have many possibilities to deal with unmarked pedestrians or cyclists. “They only have to anticipate and think that there may be someone on the road,” he says, not even street lighting helps in dense fogs.

Marián Čabák from the School of Safe Driving says that people are often reluctant to invest even a few euros in reflective things unless they are explicitly ordered to do so. The price for a reflective vest ranges from three euros upwards. Similarly, there are other elements, as the law permits them. They can also be reflective belts on the sleeve, smileys on school bags or various other iron-on transfers.

If the proposed amendment passed, the mandatory labeling in the municipality would become the same offense as the non-marking of a pedestrian outside the municipality today. This is subject to a fine of up to EUR 60.

Slovakia is not the only country trying to protect pedestrians with protective features. Czech transport police chief Tomáš Lerch said last week that he wanted to create a discussion on mandatory reflective elements for all who would go on the road at night. He also wants to find a compromise whether it should be in the village, outside or everywhere.

A new training ground for safe road traffic donated by EKO petrol stations

The good mood of the first-graders was enhanced by the introduction of their new road safety training ground.

The facility is a donation from EKO Bulgaria and is an expression of the company’s long-standing traditions to familiarize the youngest road users with the rules of road safety.

The site is 10×4 meters in size and is a small town whose streets are equipped with road signs, pedestrian paths, and traffic lights. In addition to becoming a favorite playground for kids, the playground’s main function is to educate and prepare them for the challenges of the road environment.

The Executive Director of EKO Bulgaria Georgi Deyanov is pleased to participate in the official opening of the new school year. He addressed the first graders with the words: “The road ahead is a long way in both literal and figurative sense. For this reason, it is extremely important that you are well versed in traffic rules along with this and all other roads. Good luck!”.

After the introductory ceremony, Mr. Deyanov personally led the first students to the newly opened training ground. With his help, they made it through all the makeshift intersections and made an excellent demonstration to their peers.

The first-graders also received many practical and educational gifts, such as reflective vests, a safe road guide for Class Hours, greeting cards and color pencils.

Children from Vidin celebrated the road safety day

Under the slogan “Life is an advantage,” the children from Zornitsa Kindergarten in Vidin toured the park of Vidin and crossed the street, acquainted with the basic rules for road traffic. The initiative is from the Regional Health Inspectorate – Udine, in connection with the European Road Safety Day, which is celebrated on 25 July.

According to statistics, the elderly and children are the most at-risk groups of pedestrians, especially in the dark part of the day. “Many of the crashes with children are due to the management of mopeds, bicycles, and four-wheelers purchased from their parents. They must be more responsible when they are put on the road by these vehicles,” Dr. Mariana Chavdarova.

“We decided to have a holiday together with the kids today. We left kindergarten, we wanted to have some vehicles, but since the children are 4-5 years old, we chose drones, drove around, crossed a street where I explained to them how the street is crossed and what are the traffic rules. We were joined by SBA representatives who gave them reflective vests and key chains. To my great pleasure, the children know the basic rules for crossing ” added Dr. Chavdarova.

Teaching our children important rules and norms of behavior is a primary responsibility of every parent. Some of them are the rules of the road. Safe movement is a way of saving the lives of our children as well as our own lives.

Today’s initiative ended with wishes for a carefree and safe summer.

Reflective Belts Aren’t Needed In Daylight

The standard-issue Army reflective belt, formally known as “Belt, High Visibility,” is one of the most enduring symbols of the Global War on Terror. It is also the most indisputably reviled piece of gear in any US service member’s kit. Don ‘t let Russian spies or Urban Outfitters convince you otherwise: the reflective flat might be the aesthetic version of a “Kick Me” sign.

Yet despite the previous requirement by the Army Safety Program that all U.S. soldiers are only required to don these heinously brash accessories during nighttime road operations, the use of reflective belts sew on reflective tape in the daylight somehow persists.

Luckily, Secretary of the Army Mark Esper is here with a shocking, yet brilliant idea: Maybe you don’t need a reflective belt in broad daylight.

That’s at least the underlying message in one of the several new directives signed by Esper as part of the service’s ongoing campaign against bureaucratic time-sucks, per Stars and Stripes:

This month’s memo, the first of 2019 in the series, amends the Army safety program policy to state that the service “does not require the wear of the reflective training belt or reflective vest during daylight hours, or while conducting physical training on closed roads or dedicated Physical training routes.”

The change appears to highlight the glaringly obvious — that a chair to increase a soldier’s visibility to drivers of cars and other vehicles on predawn or nighttime runs would not normally be needed in broad daylight or where vehicles generally can’t go.

Congratulations to Mark Esper for taking the world’s dumbest, pettiest safety requirement outback and unloading two barrels of logic into its rotten little heart. Now get Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert Neller to do “no hands in your pockets” next.

Pedestrians need to be visible in the dark

In an informal survey of downtown pedestrians on three November nights, I found that a majority were in fashionable, death-defying black, with nothing reflective. But quite a few people, mostly women, were dressed for the darkness, with polarized bands on coat Cuffs and bags, lighted straps, small lights, and a couple of reflective vests.

I’ve offered reflective to colleagues and friends. Most have accepted, but a few declined, saying they’d never wear something like that. Too unfashionable.

That prompted me to look for alternatives.

It would be nice if the fashion industry incorporated reflective elements into more clothing. I looked around for a dark jacket with reflective stripes or dots that weren’t designed for bicycling or running. There wasn’t much to pick from.

But you can come up with something satisfactory with a little tinkering, and still stick with your fashion fancies.

Among things I discovered and rediscovered:

Life paint, sold at Volvo dealerships for about $20 plus tax. You can spray it onto many non-shiny surfaces, such as a cloth coat or a pair of jeans, creating a reflective patch. The reflectiveness fades away with abrasion and washes out In the laundry. I’ve tried it, and it works. Without direct light shining on it, the reflective patch looks slightly darker, like a hint of a grease stain. You might hesitate about spraying Life Paint onto a particularly expensive and cherished jacket, especially if it isn’t easily washed. Or, be like me, shrug, and go for it.

I can’t reflective this because I haven’t learned to knit yet. But a colleague says it works well and is a good look. I might commission a piece.

I bought that’s lime green, and it’s quite visible in the semi-dark.

Reflect reflective tape that has adhesive on one side. Stick it on the hem of a knock-about coat, on a shoulder bag, on luggage or an umbrella handle. Caution: the absorbent might become a problem, with the tape coming Apart but the adhesive stubbornly staying. I found some for around $5 for a small roll.

Reflecting bands. They’re usually a strip of reflective material that you form into a loop with velcro, a clip, or by tapping. I’m new to the tapping mode, so I’m still fascinated: to put one on, start With the strip in its straight and rigid form, then tap against your wrist or ankle, and it rolls around your wrist or ankle. If you can’t bear to have a reflective band ruin your outfit, see if you can tolerate attaching one to Your shoulder bag, backpack or suitcase. You can buy the thickness bands for about $2 to $15 each.

Bands that light up. These are like the spacing bands, but they incorporate lighting along with the band.

I can see little lights to your clothing or your bag. I’ve seen them for $6 to $30. There’s a caution here. Some people can’t tolerate these lights if they’re white and they blink. I can Confirm that a flashing light can be irritating and maybe blinding, having followed cyclists (while cycling myself) with bright blinking lights. There can be trouble even when the blinking light is a more subdued red. So, consider just turning on the light and not Have it blink.

I’m turned on from these lights this year because I’m annoyed The batteries are dangerous when swallowed, so young children shouldn’t use them. They also need frequent replacing in a process that can be fiddly, especially if tiny screws are involved. I’ve turned to slightly larger Little lights that can be recharged via a cable or via a built-in USB plug.

The little lights project around 5 to 50 lumens of illumination. That’s enough to make you visible, but not enough for lighting your way while cycling on a pitch-black Galloping Goose trail. For that, you’ll need a light that’s at least 90 To 100 connections; around 450 would be better. Packaging for lights typically list the lumens on offer.

But the lights are not useful if you can’t find a way to attach them to your clothing. I’ve had that problem with some of my jackets, which don’t have any loops for attaching things. That’s another lesson learned. Next time I buy a jacket, I’ll try to find one with a loop or two, and built-in reflective tapes.

Reflective shoes. You can attach reflective materials to your shoes, although most athletic shoes for outdoor use come with reflective patches designed into them.

A project that regulates motorbikes foresees 3,000 permits, standardization, and areas of operation

At the motorcycle taxi station set up eight years ago by Marisérgio Melo, 33, in Vale das Pedrinhas, rules must be followed. No sandals, no working without a helmet or no reflective vest. The price of the race is fixed: within the neighborhood, any route costs $ 4; further afield, it increases. “Even Iguatemi gives $ 10,” he says. And the ten motorcycle taxi drivers who work there need to walk the line. “You can’t drink, you can’t get high. If you take a drug to give someone takes eight days suspension,” says Marisérgio.

He and his colleagues are among the approximately 5,000 motorcycle taxi drivers in Salvador who have been waiting for years to regulate the activity. If the executive bill, which is due to reach the House on Wednesday, is passed, they will have to comply with new rules.

The MAIL had first-hand access to the points discussed by the Municipal Mobility Secretariat with the category for regulation. Among them, highlights for the maximum age of five years of the motorcycle and minimum of 21 for the driver, the standardization of the vehicle in yellow, two years of qualification, training, and a limited number of permits: 3 thousand.

The rules, which follow the authorization of passenger transport on motorcycles in the city, will be discussed between the city and the category definitively within 180 days after approval by the legislature, during which there will be further discussions in public hearings. From there, professionals will have a deadline to comply with the rules and then start working legally.

The initial idea is for Salvador to authorize the accreditation of 3,000 riders – an average, according to IBGE data, of one motorcycle taxi driver per 1,000 inhabitants. “We are talking to the three associations in the city. Today, 5,000 motorbikes operate because people are operating without a license,” says Semob holder Fábio Mota.

The motorcycle taxi drivers that will be accredited, if the law is approved, will be distributed between 200 and 300 motorcycle taxi points that will be created, subdivided by areas. Each point will have a leader, kind of area delegate, who is responsible for interacting with Semob. Motorized taxi drivers registered at one point will not be able to act in others. Nevertheless, the user of the service can perform long runs if desired.

The motorcycle taxi driver Luiz Carlos de Souza, 56, who has been working for almost two years at a point in Rio Vermelho, says most races are in the region itself. “We take the people who jump from the bus to the college, to the slopes that go to the Northeast, Santa Cruz, where the buses don’t go up,” he says.

Even so, some do longer runs. Some of the professionals who work in Vale das Pedrinhas report that they have already races to neighboring cities.

The president of the Bahia Motorcyclists, Motoboys and Mototaxists Union, Henrique Baltazar, said that he discussed points of the project with the portfolio and with the Chamber Commission and Transportation, chaired by Councilor Euvaldo Jorge. “If the regulation is made according to the negotiation we made, we accept. What can’t be a lot of change,” he says.

According to Baltazar, before talking about 3,000 permits, the city had stipulated 3,500 licenses. “This number of 3,500 is reasonable for us because we know that today there are 5,000 runnings, but many people will not fit the requirements,” he admits.

Osvaldam Tupyassu, president of the Association of Motorcycle Riders in Salvador, finds the number insufficient and draws attention to fake motorcycle taxi drivers. “We know there are many who say they are, but not really, do not depend on it as a profession. I think it’s not enough, but if you have the regulation, you can ensure it,” he assumes.

Also according to Tupyassu, there have been talks with councilors who have studied the situation in other cities that have already regulated the activity.

As with vehicles that are allowed to drive as taxis, motorcycles will also have to be standardized. They will have yellow paint, identification as a motorcycle taxi and will need to have a maximum of five years of use. They should also have between 125 and 160 displacements, plus safety equipment. The Taxis and Special Transport Coordination, linked to Semob, will be responsible for this standardization.

They will be positioned so as not to disturb bus or taxi stops. “We are mapping and establishing the points according to the demand of each location. Regulation has to standardize and make them complementary, not one competitor of another,” explains Fábio Mota.

Henrique Baltazar, from Sindimoto-BA, says that the points need to be close to the bus – after all, they often catch passengers who jumped or take a bus afterward. He also charges that permits be issued in the name of the motorcycle taxi driver and allowed to work with a motorcycle that is in someone else’s name, such as a relative. “Sometimes the motorcycle taxi driver doesn’t have the bike in his name. If this issue is resolved, the project is not so bad,” says Baltazar.

Even before regulation, there are already standardized motorcycle taxi drivers. This is the case of those who work with the shirt of the Association of Professional Motorcyclists of the State of Bahia. Gibson Campelo, 43, started running standardized in February this year. “When the customer sees it, they call us. The inspectors also know that we are serious, we have a document, everything is fine,” he says. On Gibson’s shirt, in addition to a hallmark and Semob, is his code with the association.

House must vote bill in the second half

According to the Mayor, City Councilor Paulo Câmara, if the Executive bill reaches the House later this April, the matter is expected to go to a plenary vote in the second half of this year.

“This is a project that has been guided by Casa for almost two years. We will wait for this project that will come from the Executive, a partnership, which is already more or less shaped according to what the House has been discussing as well. When the bill arrives, the House will propose four or five public hearings to debate and put to the vote starting in the second half,” he said.

For the president, because 2016 is an election year, the situation should only be defined towards the end of the year. “If it wasn’t for the election year, we would do that before,” he said. According to the House, the bill will not immediately go to the vote because councilors will prioritize, in May and June, the vote on the Master Plan for Urban Development.

Bike accidents reduced by 56%

Accident reduction is a constant concern for road concession companies. In May Yellow, a road safety awareness campaign, Arteris Regis Bittencourt announces that it registered a 56% reduction in cyclist accidents in the 2017/2018 comparison.

But it is not only during the campaign that Arteris, one of the largest road concession companies in Brazil, with about 3,400 km managed, conducts actions aimed at road awareness and education. Some of them, such as Viva Ciclista, happen throughout the year. The initiative promotes educational actions aimed at cyclists who travel on the roads near the highways, especially on the sections with the highest occurrence of accidents. In addition to promoting good practices for safe behavior, it contributes to reducing the number of bicycle accidents on the highway.

In addition to serving residents who use the bike to and from work and schools in the Régis Bittencourt sections, Viva Ciclista also reaches athletes and groups that use the highway to practice the sport. “When we do awareness actions, we go to the edge of the slopes to talk to these people and teach them the right and least dangerous way to traffic safety. We also delivered the View and Be Seen kit with reflective jackets and flashlights that increase the visibility of the rider and collected data on the route and frequency of traffic on the highway,” says Arteris Operations Superintendent Ricardo Grab.

During meetings, company representatives share tips for pedaling responsibly. Check out some:

Always wear the reflective helmet. In addition to protecting, it also increases driver visibility

Traffic following the direction of the road and look for roads with fewer vehicles

Check the traffic conditions and highway climate

Wear light and reflective clothing

Make a checklist of equipment

Wear a reflective vest

Watch out for objects on the track

Watch out for curves

Sustainability and community support

Through its sustainability strategy and support to communities, Arteris supports the surrounding areas where it operates with environmental, awareness, road education, volunteering, culture, health, and sports support activities. There are several programs developed focusing on reducing deaths, accidents and minimizing social and environmental impact. Among his programs are Project School, Seal Friend, Live Environment, Live Cyclist, Live Motorcyclist, Health on the Ride and Wake Up Driver.

At what time should the reflective vest be worn

Last Sunday the regulations began to work. However, the fines for cyclists for not wearing the reflective vest and the lack of a decree have generated doubts and inconveniences for users.

The law of road coexistence that began to rule this Sunday, November 11, has generated several doubts and some criticism from cyclists, who have been forced to get off the road and comply with some rules such as a reflective vest, despite that these provisions were already in force in the transit law.

According to what is established in law, it is the Ministry of Transport that has to issue a regulation with “the technical specifications of the safety elements for occupants of cycles, such as helmet, reflective elements, brakes, lights and other accessories of security”.

However, this regulation has not been issued yet, so that for the moment the provisions of the traffic law in this regard continue to apply.

What’s wrong with the reflective vest?

In article 6 of the regulations for bicycles established in Decree 116 of the current traffic law, “from half an hour after sunset, until half an hour before departure and every time the weather conditions require, the drivers of bicycles traveling on a public road must wear a reflective vest, harness or belt.”

That is to say, that its use is not necessary throughout the day, but only in the schedules established in the aforementioned standard.

Meanwhile, as for the other elements of security, while the new decree is not issued, what is stated in article 5: “every bicycle must be equipped with plastic plates or reflective tape on the front and rear edges of each pedal Likewise, these will be located on the front and rear forks or, in the form of a circular arc, on the spokes of each wheel, in any case, red or orange reflective material cannot be placed on the front fork. ”