Category: reflective vest

How to overcome the inner bastard

Even in winter, I think I’m the best fit. How do you motivate yourself to get up from the cozy sofa to run in the dark and cold?

It’s wet, cold and the sun went down before closing time. Who wants to do sports? Being motivated to move can be difficult in winter.

“Humans do not readily accept unpleasant things,” explains Oliver Stoll, professor of sports psychology at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. Because people prefer to move in good weather. With these tips, you can also catch up in winter and do healthy sport.

Set goals and talk about it

A good way is to set goals. These can be athletic ones like “I’m participating in a marathon in the spring” or even personal ones like “I want to lose three kilos over the winter”. The more concrete the goals, the better. Anyone who talks about this with friends and family is committed to living up to their own expectations. “The goal should be so strong in the focus that the weather does not matter,” explains Stoll. It can also help to visualize your goals, for example on small notes.

Create routines

Another trick to motivation is routines. This can be a fixed calendar appointment for the gym or a running group that meets regularly for sport. “Working out together is better in the winter: you are not alone. And it does not matter if it is pitch-deep,” says personal trainer Lars Neumann from Dortmund.

Provide inner and outer motivation

Even small goodies can help to rise from the cozy couch. For example a sauna after running. In this case, one speaks of extrinsic motivation. But it is better if you see the activity itself as a reward. “The intrinsic motivation is the strongest we know,” says Stoll. The problem: there are no recipes. Only those who have fun and recognize the meaning in the movement are really motivated from the inside out.

Look at the benefits

Sport not only keeps you fit and your body healthy – it also lifts the mood. This is particularly important in the dark season. When some are depressed and listless, says extreme athlete Peter. Regular exercise also strengthens the immune system during the cold season. And the cool air makes the head free in case of doubt.

Do not exaggerate

Anyone who is full of energy in winter should not be reckless anyway. Because of the temperature differences inside and outside, the risk of cold is increased.

Tighten properly

If you want to do sports outdoors in winter, you need the right equipment. “Windbreakers are practical, plus functional clothing and a neck warmer that can be pulled over the chin and nose,” recommends Lars Neumann. On the shoes, small spikes can prevent slipping. And to be recognizable in the dark, a headlamp and bright, reflective clothing, a reflective vest with reflective materials are recommended. By the way, if you get good equipment, you can directly commit yourself to use it.

Choose the right workout

“Lax running training is useful,” says personal trainer Neumann. The units should be slower than in summer. Interval training is rather inappropriate, says Peter. Even exercises with your own body weight are possible. “An important factor is that you do not need much material,” says Neumann. Because then you overcome yourself more easily.

If in doubt, practice indoors

If you do not feel like doing sport outdoors in the drizzle or cold weather, you can switch to the gym. Or use the winter to try out some new sport in the hall, such as kickboxing or squash. Those who do not want to leave their own four walls are recommended to do exercises on a gymnastics mat. A bit of self-motivation is always needed to stay fit in winter.

It’s worth remembering about reflections!

The autumn and winter season is the time when darkness often greets and says goodbye to children going to school and returning from it. That is why their safety is important. In schools, the subject of reflective vests is coming back. They have already started.

 

The “Reflective School” reached the students of the Primary School. Kids dressed in special vests with reflective materials and other reflective elements promoted road safety among the local community.

 

It is at the rural, low-light, often without pavement roads that such an initiative is needed. That is why students provided with banners encouraging them to move safely on the road under the supervision of a police patrol marched through the streets of the town to draw the attention of residents to the need for such behavior, and thus help to reduce the risks in road traffic – explain the originators of the action.

 

The owners of local shops who received reflective balloons from the students also helped in promoting this idea. It’s for customers.

 

In addition, students of the eighth grade, under the care of teachers, encouraged older people to wear reflective clothing.

 

Before the evening service, they handed out reflective bands to adults and especially for older people. The action was met with great gratitude among seniors. Remember to wear reflective vests, especially now when autumn, shorter days are coming!

 

Pay attention to standards when wearing reflective clothing

In the dark, reflective vests, jackets and trousers are important for cyclists and pedestrians. This makes them more visible to others. Anyone who is considering a new acquisition should pay attention to standards. Here are the most important numbers.

 

Reflective materials on clothing or bags make pedestrians and cyclists more visible in the dark. That’s because jackets or bags that are equipped with this technology throw the headlights of cars back directly.

 

The German Traffic Safety Council (DVR) advises paying attention to appropriate standards when buying reflective clothing. For safety accessories and clothing with the retro-reflective material, the number DIN EN 13356 and on schoolbags with illuminated surfaces should be the number DIN 58124. Alternatively, pedestrians and cyclists could wear safety vests in accordance with the EN ISO 20471 standard.

 

57% of cyclists are poorly lit when driving at night

The rate of bicycle lighting faults is decreasing, but equipment in reflective clothing or accessories is not progressing.

 

It’s better than five years ago, but it’s still not enough. Nearly six out of ten cyclists (57%) ride poorly lit at night in the city, according to a survey of the Prevention Road Association published Tuesday, October 9. Volunteers observed nearly 3,300 bicycles in 10 cities in France, as the critical winter season approaches – between November and January, the month with the shortest days, 40% of accidents involving cyclists take place nightly.

 

“Between 2013 and 2018, the rate of defects in the lighting of the bicycles decreases.” If rented bicycles remain exemplary on this point (7% in 2018 against 9% in 2013), the number of deficient personal bikes is still of 57% in 2018, compared to 76% in 2013. Among them, more than a third (37%) are totally devoid of lighting (against 58% in 2013) “. The association notes in a statement.

 

More and more cyclists killed

On the other hand, the equipment in reflective clothing with reflective materials or accessories (vests, armbands…) does not progress: it was 17% in 2018, against 14% five years ago. “There is still much to do but we are on a good trend. The bike is better equipped. For the cyclist, it’s something else,” regrets the General Delegate of Road Safety, Anne Lava. And remember that a reflective vest can be seen five times further by motorists (150 meters with, against 30 meters without).

 

The number of cyclists killed has risen in recent years. In 2017, 173 of them died (+ 6.8% compared to 2015, an additional 11 killed). Since 2010, the number of cyclists killed on the road has been increasing, with an average annual evolution of + 2.4%, while the number of other users of vehicles killed has fallen by an annual average of -2.6% per year and the number of pedestrians killed is stable.

They organized a Reflective Safety Day

Education in the field of safety of unprotected road users is a very important element in raising children and adolescents as well as adults. Therefore, the Primary School located on the busy provincial road for many years, together with the local government and many institutions, undertakes effective activities in this area, the effect of which is even the creation and functioning of one of the most modern communication towns in Poland.

 

It is here that the finals of the Nationwide Safety Tournament in Road Traffic take place. Next to the town there is a bike path under EUROVELO4.

 

For several years now, students of the school have undertaken numerous activities among the local community for safety, including the use of reflective materials by both pedestrians and cyclists.

 

Every year, the school takes part in the competition titled “Reflective School” trying to undertake innovative activities encouraging to increase the safety of unprotected road users.

 

One of the elements of organized “Reflective Safety Day” was the Picnic in the Communications Town called “Wear reflective clothing, shine with example” and “Reflective March” through the streets with banners that encourage residents to use reflective vests.

Autumn carries more dangers on the roads

Remember that autumn is the time of the year when we face special threats. Bad visibility, fast darkness, rainfall or fog are factors that require special attention from drivers and pedestrians. That is why we appeal to increase the care for your safety on the road.

 

Autumn is one of the most difficult periods for drivers, early dusk, which is often accompanied by bad weather conditions drastically limiting visibility, greatly impair road safety. We remind you what is worth paying attention to when driving in autumn and how to prepare your vehicle for driving during this period.

 

Short and wet

 

In the fall days are relatively short compared to those that summer got used to. The toughest conditions for the driver when it comes to visibility is an early evening or morning when it rains. Then we have the impression that the lights do not illuminate the road, and the pedestrians become completely invisible. It is worth remembering that in autumn, when it is already dark, many people just come back from work and the movement is then the largest. Let’s be aware of how the car behaves on a wet surface. The braking distance, is definitely longer, and to fast entry into the bend can end straight.

 

Do not be surprised

 

The period between summer and winter is a period full of traps lurking for drivers. That is why we advise you to focus especially when driving, especially on roads that we do not know. Even when it is not raining, the surface is often wet or has variable grip. When driving on a dry road, we may be surprised that the surface or just before it will turn wet. Even if there is no ice on the road, the hard-to-cool summer tires on wet, cool surfaces will behave almost as if you were driving on snow. The next trap waiting for drivers are leaves and mud. In wooded areas where leaves fall on the road, we advise you to be vigilant. When the leaves get between the tire and the surface, the grip becomes very low and even the track stabilization systems and the anti-lock brakes will not help. Moving on roads in forest areas, remember about the activity of forest animals that can run across the road.

 

Prepare the car for autumn

 

There are two additional elements that affect the safety of driving in the autumn and winter, and which do not require large financial outlays. In the first place, it is good condition of the wiper blades, because frequent rainfall, combined with dark, require the best possible visibility, and at the same time clean glass without streaks. The second thing is the efficient and properly set lighting. The next days are a good opportunity to check that all the lights are on, but also whether the spotlight falls at the right angle.

 

Let yourself be noted

 

Every pedestrian, cyclist, as well as drivers of other two-wheelers, should remember about their safety and take care to be visible. A reflective vest, key chain, headband, or even a flashlight will make them easier to see for an oncoming driver when driving on a poorly lit road. Although the traffic regulations do not impose an obligation to use vests and reflective materials in the built-up area, they greatly improve visibility, giving drivers valuable time to take the right response – often saving health and life.

 

Please adhere to the advice described, which will certainly help to adapt to the new conditions on the roads.

How to avoid abuses if you are a driver or a pedestrian

Each year there are about 11,000 abuses in Spain and about 400 people die because of this, according to data from RACE and Goodyear. More than 90% of them occur in the city, which means an average of 27 cases of abuse per day in urban areas.

 

Below we select some of the tips offered by the DGT, RACE, Foundation MAPFRE, aimed at drivers and pedestrians to avoid abuses:

 

IF YOU ARE A DRIVER

 

In the city, moderate speed, since the higher it is, the greater the probability of death if a pedestrian is run over. To visualize it better the DGT establishes these comparisons: an outrage at 50 km / h is equivalent to falling from a third floor, at 120 km / h it is like falling from a 14º and at 180 km / h it is equivalent to falling from a plant 36.

 

Extreme caution in critical places such as pedestrian crossings, school zones, garage exits and leisure places (parks, cinemas…).

 

If you are going to back down, do it slowly and make sure there are no pedestrians passing behind your vehicle.

 

Avoid distractions at the wheel (mobile, GPS navigator…) and be especially careful with pedestrians who walk talking on the phone or headphones, as they are less attentive to traffic.

 

Do not park the car on the sidewalks, as it will force the pedestrian to invade the road and suffer a greater risk of being run over.

 

Be careful if you find a damaged car on the shoulder of a road, since it is possible that the driver is near repairing your vehicle.

 

If you are on the road and your vehicle suffers a breakdown, place it on the shoulder and off the roadway. If this is not possible, turn on the emergency signal, position signs, wear the reflective vest and put the triangles emergency. If you have to wait for the assistance service, stay inside the car or in a safe area outside the vehicle.

 

IF YOU ARE PEDESTRIAN

 

When you cross the street, always use the pedestrian crossings and follow the traffic light.

 

Before crossing, look to the left and right and make sure that the vehicles are going to break before crossing.

 

Do not get out of the cars or obstacles that hinder visibility.

 

Do not cross behind a vehicle while it is parked.

 

Pay special attention when you go to an entrance or exit garage.

 

Avoid distractions when you cross how to use the phone or wear headphones.

 

If you have reduced mobility or you have difficulty walking, cross calmly.

 

If you just park your car, always try to go down the sidewalk.

 

If you walk on a road without a sidewalk, always go along the shoulder and stay to the left of the road, facing traffic.

 

Avoid sections that are not well lit. If it is dark or there is little visibility, wear a high visibility vest with reflective materials.

 

An automotive picnic under the sign of safety

Not only examining candidates for drivers, but also spreading knowledge about road safety is a key task for the Pomeranian Road Traffic Center. On Sunday, September 23, PORD organized a large family picnic in Gdansk, whose main goal was education in the field of road visibility. The use of reflectors and reflective vests was promoted, especially among children and adolescents, which make it easier for the driver to see pedestrians and cyclists on the road. The event was attended by numerous representatives from the automotive industry of the Tri-City, and the event’s star was the Golden Life band’s afternoon concert.

 

Wearing reflective clothing on the body, even 4 time reduces the risk of deduction – the organizers informed. A seemingly small, inconspicuous element reflecting light, turns out to be of great importance to safety.

 

We remind and sensitize all road users to pay close attention to their visibility on the road – emphasizes Roman Nowak, Director of the Pomeranian Traffic Center. We are already autumn, the days are getting shorter, the darkness falls earlier. To this rainfall, fog and all other weather phenomena that limit visibility. Often we do not even know that we are simply invisible to the driver of a moving car. It carries a huge risk of losing health or even life – warns Roman Nowak.

 

The policemen, city guards, as well as representatives of the General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways, also informed about these dangers. The latter knows best how important the visibility of the Road Service employees is and how to signal their presence on the road, driving drivers.

 

Dealers of new cars, automotive companies and people associated with this industry also joined the campaign.

 

Each visitor of the “Visible = safe” event could count on a gift associated with it – participants were given flares, vests and backpacks in bright colors and reflective materials that increase the visibility of people on the road.

 

Visitors could count on many attractions that would make this education more attractive, prepared by the organizers. In addition to the exhibition of several classic cars, the exhibition of new cars – among them several novelties, including The new Ford Focus, Mercedes A-Class and Kia Kombi, were also shown motorcycle stunt demonstrations and road rescue performed by the Fire Brigade.

 

The Pomeranian Traffic Center announces that such events, promoting road safety, will fit permanently into the calendar of Tri-City automotive events.

What behavior should each trafficker take to avoid accidents ?

Ignoring traffic rules by both drivers and pedestrians are often the result of serious accidents – warns Brasov police at the beginning of the school year.

 

Representatives of the Brasov County Police have come up with tips for each category of traffic participants.

 

Drivers advise them to slow down speeds and to move around pedestrian crossings, to adapt speed to weather conditions, to keep their legal distance from cars ahead of them, and to avoid creating bottlenecks and visibility by stopping voluntarily in the area of pedestrian crossings.

 

“Children as passengers in the car must be protected from the effects of accidents by means of retention devices appropriate to their age, weight and height,” the agents said.

 

Pedestrians are reminded to cross public roads only to the “zebra” through the places where the “pedestrian crossing” sign is located, through the green traffic light (green), through the uneven passages or the traffic signal. “Crossing is done every time at a lively pace. Walking for pedestrians is a place to cross, not for a walk, “the policemen drew. Preferably, pedestrians do not speak on the phone and give up the hands-free device when they cross the street.

 

“Engage in crossing only when drivers have stopped to give you priority. Do not put them in difficulty and do not surprise them with risk traverses. Do not forget! In a direct “confrontation”, the car is louder! “, The representatives of IJP also said.

 

Agents have not even forgotten about cycling, which should strictly adhere to traffic rules, use the tracks for them, equip themselves for their own protection, check the technical condition of the bike, wear reflective clothing to be easy to observe, and at night to have a reflective vest. “Move as close as possible to the right edge of the road, and when moving in a group, one column only. Do not listen to music and do not talk to your mobile phone as you ride a bicycle; timely and visible signaling of any change in direction of travel; do not carry people or bulky luggage that can unbalance you, “police added.

 

To run a bicycle on public roads, the driver must be at least 14 years old. And it is important for them to wear vests with reflective materials.

 

Finally, police officers recommend that bus drivers using public transportation vehicles wait for the arrival of buses and trolleybuses only on the sidewalk, and where there are no sidewalks – out of the carriageway. “On the descent, the bus or trolleybus from the station is expected to cross the street on the pedestrian crossing. Attention, does not cross the back or in front of the bus or trolleybus. “police representatives recalled.

Policemen promote the “Reflective School” competition

On Tuesday, August 28 this year. In Krakow a conference of school head and educational institutions of the Małopolskie voivodeship was held, organized by the Board of Education in Krakow.

 

The meeting was attended by a policewoman from the Traffic Department of the Polish Military Contingent in Krakow, who in her speech encouraged the current directors of primary schools to take part in the ninth edition of the Małopolskie Competition “Reflective School”.

 

The “Reflective School” Contest for the primary schools from the whole voivodeship was initiated by the Road Traffic Department of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Krakow in 2010. Its aim is to increase the activity of directors of primary schools, local self-government authorities and parents in providing students with reflective vests. It gives the opportunity to show that their school not only teaches, but also cares about the safety of its students, especially on the way to and from school. In addition, the aim of the campaign is to draw the attention of educators, parents and guardians of the need to control the statutory obligation to use reflective materials and to promote all initiatives that limit the risks in road traffic.

 

This year’s campaign is being carried out in Małopolskie for the ninth time. Summing up the eight previous editions, we can say that they were very popular. In total, the competition was attended by over 2,500 primary schools from Lesser Poland, nearly 500,000. Students were equipped with reflective elements and reflective clothing. Over 30,000 appeared publications in the media promoting the use of reflective elements.

 

In addition, almost 3000 art competitions and knowledge about road safety were carried out. The “Reflective School” competition is run at the beginning of the new school year. Primary schools are taking care of students’ safety – equip them with reflective elements, making sure that they use them on the everyday road to and from school, ensure proper marking of school areas, organize educational campaigns promoting road safety, including parents.

 

The “Reflective School” Małopolskie Competition as an innovative approach of the Police to the education of students, translated into improved safety on the road for the youngest road users. From 2009, ie before the start of the competition to 2017, among children under the age of 14, the number of road accident victims decreased by 34%.