The T-shirt is a bigger shield than the bulletproof vest

“I do not feel threatened on missions. The context of where we go is problematic, but we pay attention to security. We are not subject to any governments or funds as organizations, so our protection is that we are an independent organization. We can do what we want if we negotiate the conditions in the place where we want to help. If the local community respects us, it is far more shield than if we had bulletproof safety vests and armed guards, “says surgeon Tomas, host of Personalities Plus.

 

“We do not have one, we have a dozen MSFs with a logo, and that’s enough protection,” he adds and explains how the work of an international humanitarian organization, a longtime member, works.

 

“It is essential to negotiate the terms with all parties to the conflict. If we did not do that, we cannot work there. When there was a security risk at some point, we had to leave the mission, but it does not happen often. We work to ensure that people who respect us have free medical care, which is very well in the environment, and these people are very happy, “says the surgeon in safety clothing.

 

We cannot rely on family

“Sometimes we have a lot harder here, because we cannot rely on our family, friends and community. People, such as Afghanistan, carry this much more bravely. Perhaps more, North Africans are mostly in the line of battle, knowing that they will be going to school in the morning, and they may not count all of them in the evening.

 

There are people around who carried the weight with them. It is their native land, even though there are forty years of civil war there. They stay with warning vest because they have mutual support. We do not have it here. Oftentimes we forget about the family and the people around us and we have unnecessary burdens. At the same time, I think that the basis is the support, comments the physician working in the war zones of the different situation and the concept of the community.

 

I did not forget the dream

Tomas Sebeka started his work on missions at his 33 years of age. “I did not believe long after school, even after the attestations, and I did not think I could be of any benefit to the MSF organization. I needed to use my tongue, I did not think my surgical experience was enough to help local people help and pass on their knowledge. I have been working on it for a long time; I have been looking forward to it for a long time. Fortunately, I never forgot my dream when I finally left my first mission,” he remembers.

 

Obvious reflections for pedestrians on outside built-up areas

From August 31, every pedestrian moving along the roads outside the built-up area will have to equip themselves with reflective material. The police will be able to punish the pedestrian with a mandate for lack of required reflections.

 

The amendment to the road traffic law will come into force on the last day of holidays. Goal is to increase pedestrian safety, and at the same time to reduce the number of fatal accidents. Until now, the regulations for the obligatory use of reflections after dark outside built-up areas concerned persons under the age of 15. Everyone will now be regulated, without exception.

 

The holidays are over and the school year begins any day. What does it mean? In addition to the density of cars on the streets, the number of pedestrians moving outside the built-up area will increase significantly. An unspecified stroller combined with faster and faster dusk – these are often the main reasons for the tragic events on the roads. Many pedestrians also move on the wrong side of the road.

 

Pedestrians are often forced to move outside built-up areas, in places without lighting, sidewalks or even shoulders. They move along the edge of the road. Even if they follow the right, left side of the road, but do not have reflective elements: vests, braces, bands – their visibility is limited to only 30 meters. For a driver driving 90 km / h, it is too short a distance for reaction and effective avoidance of such a person – explains the younger aspirant Joanna.

 

After sunset, the visibility of the pedestrian is very limited. Thanks to the vests, the drivers will be able to see people walking from nearly 120 meters. Remember that the permitted speed of cars moving outside the built-up area is 90 km / h. On dry asphalt at such a speed, the distance from the moment of braking to the complete stop of the vehicle will be extended to nearly 80 meters. It is scary to think about the length of the car driving on the wet road.

 

If the pedestrian does not comply with the regulations – the police will be able to impose on him a fine of 20 to even 500 PLN. Just look at last year’s statistics, which clearly present the scale of danger. In 2013, 9.5 thousand were recorded on Polish roads. accidents involving pedestrians, in which 1147 people were killed. For nearly 9,000 the injured parties ended up with injuries. The most tragic month was November, when 159 pedestrians died.

 

It is worth educating and making aware of how big a danger on the road is an invisible pedestrian. A simple, ordinary reflector is always worth having with you, even if you are moving in built-up areas – he adds. It is worth to buy reflective elements. The price of the set: reflective band and vest should not exceed PLN 10. The costs of treatment are disproportionately higher.

 

The public in safety vest tried to block the hunt

Socialists in reflective vest from the organization “Silesia against the hunter” tried to block the hunt, which on Saturday morning was to take place in the forest near Gliwice. You do not have to kill animals. Why are you doing this? They asked hunters. In retaliation, hunters blocked the car of one of the volunteers and called the police.

 

On Saturday morning, hunting enthusiasts from the Hunting Association in Gliwice met near Gliwice. At the edge of the forest, a dozen or so men lit a fire and began preparations. Unexpectedly, a group of people in reflective vests appeared nearby. – We do not agree to the killing of animals. We cannot understand how in the 21st century, when people do not have to hunt to feed them, a ritual happens. There are no arguments for those who shoot animals. We want to prevent them. Therefore, we will walk through the forest on the line of fire. We have high visibility vests, so we will be clearly visible. Perhaps in this way, we will be able to protect even one wild boar or a roe – convinced Aleksandra from Bytom.

 

The community immediately caught the attention of the hunters. Are our touts? poked. Some of them, however, immediately reacted nervously. We have to call the police. They asked. We are not doing anything wrong. Everyone has the right to enter the forest. This is our common good – the social workers said. We tried to talk to the hunters, but they did not want to speak. They started the collection; one of them started playing on the hunting horn. Thanks to the destruction of fields, we lose collections – the farmer was upset, who rode a tractor with an oblong trailer in his place, probably for transporting dead animals.

 

Meanwhile, several hunters after the conference began to photograph car registrations with which volunteers came. It looks like an attempt to intimidate – they said. In response, the hunters set a “Caution hunting” sign by the path to the forest. – It means that everyone is entering the forest at his own risk now. That is, the forest is now in the possession of hunters, not walkers – says Bedeck.

 

The hunters blocked the volunteer car

Hunters did not think about giving up hunting. They got into their cars and drove into the forest along a dirt road. Volunteers in safety vest followed them. The cavalcade stopped in the middle of the forest, the hunters decided to consult once again. At one point, one of the hunters blocked Babushka’s car with his car. Then the cavalcade wanted to move on, but the social workers did not allow it. They stood across the road and demanded the unlocking of the car. There was confusion. Hunters and social workers started calling the police.

 

 

The Bakery has sponsored safety vests for students

Exactly 109 students of the Local Primary School named after the authors of Children’s Literature received as part of our campaign reflective vests, which are to improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on the road.

 

This time the sponsor of the vests was Pinker, having in our podia and not only many commercial outlets (including the school). In the primary school, everything was perfectly prepared as usual: on the wide corridor, benches and chairs were set up, on which pupils and teachers sat. We explained to the little ones why exactly the safety vest is to be used, we asked them to give the knowledge to their parents and grandparents right away.

 

It was not without a sweet treat from the sponsor, the owner of Bakery brought with him children’s cakes. All the children received the gifts and high visibility vests; we will visit more schools soon.

The British are protesting against reflective vests

It is specifically about reflective vests modeled on police vests used by officers of motorcycles who ride motorcycles. They have a characteristic cut and a black and white checkerboard. The main difference is Polite, instead of Police.

 

Where does this opposition come from? According to the initiators of the campaign, the use of such high visibility vests means that road users perceive motorcyclists as police officers, giving the fans of two wheels unjust forums. What is interesting is the petitioners stand… motorcyclists, and some of their arguments are alive borrowed from Monty Python. Ed Elliott representing people who have problems with vests claims that they “destroy the cool image of motorcyclists.” In addition, “motorcyclists are replaced on the roads by yellow minions” and “individuals using vests pretend to be policemen, and this is not helpful or wise.” The petition is directed to not just anyone, because to Prime Minister David Cameron.

 

What is going on? We do not know very much, but it is certainly another version of the British sense of humor understandable only for British islanders. We know with confidence that vests with the word (instead of the Police) and modeled on police safety vests are quite popular among Polish bikers. Do you have a problem with that?

 

 

Children in reflective vest join the police station activity

On Thursday (24.08) on the premises of the Pavia Police Headquarters in Katowice, the “Open Command Day” was organized, in which about 70 children took part in a half-camp, everyone of them received a reflective vest, organized by the Social Integration Association Victoria in Katowice.

 

The aim of this project was, as in previous years, to familiarize children with the specificity of the work of the police as well as to create opportunities for an interesting way of spending free time. During the meeting, the officers of the Juvenile and Pathological Team presented equipment that was on police equipment, such as clubs, shields, helmets and bulletproof safety vests.

 

The police officers presented the structure of the unit and the tasks of each division. The children had the opportunity to get to know different types of service uniforms, service levels, as well as the work of forensic technician who showed how the traces are secured at the scene.

 

In addition, officers in safety uniform conducted preventive talks with children on the principles of safe behavior in various situations, including while staying alone in the place of residence, contact with strangers and safety of water reservoirs and rivers as part of the action “I’m being safe … by the water.”

 

The obligation to wear reflective vests was passed

MEPs adopted a draft law that would impose new obligations on pedestrians. It is about ordering to wear safety vests after dark. Pedestrians who do not comply with the order will face a fine of up to PLN 3,000. zł.

 

According to data from the Central Police Headquarters, in 2012 there were 10.3 thousand accidents involving pedestrians. 1167 people died in them. Although the vast majority of such events take place at pedestrian crossings and intersections, a great danger is associated with the movement of pedestrians on roadsides in an undeveloped area. At night, it is virtually impossible to see a pedestrian on time, which is not wearing reflective elements. In 2012, there were 447 accidents, and 59 people died in them. There are many indications that soon there will be fewer such events. SLD deputies prepared a draft regulation that imposed the obligation to wear a reflective vest on pedestrians moving after dark outside the built-up area along roads where there is no sidewalk.

 

Why is it so important? Pedestrian, walking after dark without reflective elements, is visible from a distance of only 20-30 meters. If the driver travels at 90 km / h, he travels 25 meters in a second. It does not give you any chance of any reaction. However, if the pedestrian is equipped with a reflective element, the driver will notice it from a distance of 130-150 meters and will not have any problems avoiding it.

 

SLD deputies wanted the new law to promote safe behavior instead of becoming a whip on pedestrians, which is why they did not foresee penalties for ignoring the requirement to wear reflective vests. Paradoxically, however, it can turn against a pedestrian. As Gazette informs, the police intend to enforce the provisions on general principles, and pursuant to art 79 of the Code of Misdemeanors, a traffic participant who breaks the other provisions of the Highway Code or issued based on it, may be fined up to PLN 3,000. Of course, it is impossible to suspect that this will be a standard punishment for ignoring the requirement to wear a vest, but its amount will be discretionary and it will depend on the decision of the police officer how much we will receive.

 

It is also worth looking at the issue of adjudging blame for road accidents involving pedestrians. If the obligation to wear a reflective vest has been passed, the guilt or co-payment for the accident may be charged to a pedestrian who will ignore the order and be struck. However, if the deduction comes to the side of the illuminated road, the lack of flares will not matter to the police. The insurer to reduce the value of the compensation paid to the deducted pedestrian, however, can use this circumstance.

Reflective bands or what can be useful for running at night

When you are riding a bicycle or running at night, take care of your own safety. Visibility on the road will be provided by clothing with reflectors or special stickers, reflective tapes or wristbands. The obligation to illuminate the bicycle results from the rules of the Highway Code.

 

Bands, ribbons, stickers or reflective vests can be bought in hypermarkets, bicycle, automotive and sports shops, via the Internet or even at petrol stations. Single reflections cost about 2-6 zlotys. A reflective vest costs about 10 zlotys.

 

Running in the dark – clothes, tapes, reflective bands

A smaller crowd in the streets or lack of time to train during the day, there are some of the reasons for running at night. Deciding to be active after dark, you need to take care of your own safety. Visibility on the road will provide glare. Useful accessories for runners include, for example, reflective wristbands or self-adhesive tapes that can be applied to clothing. When buying sportswear (pants, jackets, blouses, sweatshirts), it is worth choosing models that already have reflective material on them. Stickers reflecting light on your legs or arms will make the runner visible to the car driver from a distance of 200 meters.

 

Running at night through the woods – a running torch

The headlamp will be useful during night training on uneven and completely unlit terrain, eg in the forest. The lamp is mounted on the head, you do not need to hold it in your hands while running, it s light falls exactly in front of the runner. It is good to stock up on spare batteries. It is best to go for training in a group, and if it is impossible, run only on paths that you met during the day. It is also worth mentioning to the family or roommates where to go and have GPS enabled in the phone. It is best to run in the forest when it is dry. Turning over on slippery mud or leaves may result in injury.

 

Bicycle lighting – recipes

The most important element of bicycle equipment at night is lighting. A cyclist who uses the road is obliged to comply with road rules. According to the Highway Code, a bicycle should be equipped with at least one position light at the front (white or selective yellow). At the rear, the vehicle must have a position lamp and a reflector lamp in a shape other than a triangle. Both rear bicycle lights should be red. To be more visible on the road at night, the cyclist can also put on a headlamp. You just need to remember that it cannot be mounted lower than 25 centimeters and more than 1.5 meters from the road surface.

 

Does the cyclist have to wear a vest?

In the light of road traffic law, a reflective vest is not mandatory during cycling. However, the cyclist should have reflective details on the clothing or helmet, eg stickers, tapes, bands. Light-reflective stickers can be additionally wrapped, for example, with pedals or bicycle wheels.

 

Riding a bicycle without lights – a ticket

A ride on a motorbike without lights may result in a fine. For riding a bike after dark or in tunnels without proper lighting of the vehicle, the police officer may issue a fine of PLN 100.

 

The action to improve the safety of cyclists

Last weekend, 1-2 July 2017, a picnic for cyclists was held to raise awareness among cyclists and car drivers. The whole action is under the patronage of the Ministry of Interior and Administration. Everyone will receive a safety vest.

 

Family picnic with a town of attractions for spectators and cyclists was part of the weekend event organized by the Police Headquarters. The event was supposed to pay attention to the safety level of cyclists. The statistics in which you were wounded or killed are terrifying.

 

According to the data on the KGP website from January to May 2017, fans of two wheels participated in 2628 accidents and collisions. As a result, 138 cyclists died and 2,379 were injured, most of them are not wearing the reflective clothing. According to the Chief Police Headquarters, collisions involving cyclists occur most often during improper maneuvering.

 

The cyclists themselves are also not guilty. Their negligible knowledge of traffic regulations can lead to extremely dangerous situations. Like the one in Gliwice, when the cyclist collided with a passenger car. It turned out that the lover of the two wheels ignored the road signs and drove down the street, right under the wheels of an oncoming car.

 

Sedro during the weekend picnic also encouraged cyclists to use reflective vests significantly increasing their visibility on the road and helmets. This last element, with possible collision with vehicles, can save the head from serious injuries.

 

Check the lights in the car for free

As part of the nationwide campaign, “Your lights – your safety,” drivers from Czestochowa could check for free the correctness of the lighting settings in their cars. Uniforms explained to the participants of the action how important it is in the autumn-winter period to have good visibility on the road. The police officers also handed out reflective vests and bands, which will certainly help to improve the safety of unprotected road users.

 

The impact on road safety depends largely on the drivers themselves. From the skills and experience of the person who will sit behind the wheel and its psychophysical state. Road safety is also influenced by the technical condition of vehicles.

 

Many drivers remember that you need to wipe the headlamps when they are dirty or replace the bulbs if they are burned out. Few remember, however, that you also need to set the lights at the right angle. In the autumn / winter period, the wrong setting of lights often causes the illumination of other lights, or it is too late to notice a pedestrian or an obstacle on the road.

 

As part of the nationwide campaign, “Your lights – your safety,” drivers in safety vest from Czestochowa could make a free review of the correct setting of car lights last Saturday.