The obligation to use reflective elements by all pedestrians

On August 31, the amendment to the Road Traffic Act came into force. It introduces the obligation to use reflective elements by all pedestrians irrespective of age, moving in the dark at an undeveloped area. Until now, such an obligation was only for children under the age of 15.

 

This is a very important change. Cops and experts underline that after a pedestrian with a glare, the driver will notice five times faster than the unmarked. A person moving at dusk on the unlit road is practically invisible. The driver will only notice it from a distance of 20-30 m. If we assume that the allowable speed outside the built-up area is 90 km / h, and the minimum braking distance at this speed is 90 m – we see that the pedestrian has no chance. Already one reflective element causes it to be visible from 150 m, in which case the driver has enough time to slow down, slow down and safely avoid him.

 

The new rules do not talk about how to wear reflective elements or how they look. They only require you to be visible to other road users. Experts emphasize that the lights of the car do not illuminate the entire silhouette of the pedestrian. They are suspended low (about 25 cm above the ground) and illuminate the road asymmetrically – more light is falling on the right side of the road. That is why reflectors should be placed as low as possible and right on the right. The right leg is the right leg – knee and ankle. Reflectors can be pinned to the legs or shoes. It is also worth to have a retro reflector also at the back, at back height, so that pedestrians are also visible to the rear. It is therefore worth to invest in a reflective vest or take care of the glare of our children’s backpacks or satchels.

 

“One glare can protect against disability and even save lives,” emphasizes Marcela, head of the Social Prevention Section of the Traffic Department of the Capital Police Headquarters. Unfortunately, pedestrians often do not remember the safety of their own and others, and they make up nearly 9 percent all accidents. The worst part is that they are dead themselves. What mistakes do we most often commit? First and foremost we go out on the street directly in front of a car or behind another vehicle such as a bus or a car. In this situation, the driver has no chance of reaction. Besides, constantly, we often cross the road in an illegal place or in a red light – he notes.

 

Masonic self-government cares for the safety of children and young people. Since 2002 he has organized the “Safe Road to School” campaign, where students from grades 4 to 6 of primary schools in Masuria learn the rules of road safety. The students received sets of young cyclist – helmets, bicycle lighting, safety vest and reflectors.

 

 

 

Reflective vests with logos for Family Cycle

More than a thousand people signed up for the V Family Bike Ride in District from Junior to Senior. And although the Sunday weather did not spoil the participants of the expedition, the rally can undoubtedly be considered successful. During a picnic at the Almeria Inn, several hundred people spent time actively, for example at a campfire or taking part in prepared fitness competitions.

 

The rally took place on Sunday, June 21st, the start and finish was traditionally planned in front of the District Office building. At the start the participants received souvenir name identifiers, reflective vests with logos, sun visors and yogurts. The official opening was jointly made by straits Juliana Gone, MP for Macias and commanders of the rally. And in the circle of bikers you could meet, among others. Mateusz’s vice-presidency, who did not give up changing weather, along with his daughter Monica, traveled the route.

 

Pelion set off from the police station at ca. 9.30. Sadly, at the first stop in the youngsters cyclists surprised the heavy rain. However, what perseveres has come to Bud Borski, where the organizer – District Office, prepared a family picnic with attractions. There was a fire, and among fitness competitions: throw a medical ball, goalkeeper’s football and family ski. But as always the most excitement aroused the lottery. Several hundred prizes have been distributed. Bicycle gadgets or sweets from Mars. The tradition of the rally is to reward the youngest and oldest cyclist all wear high visibility vest, and the person who reported the highest number of participants. This year was no different; the youngest participants of the event were Michelin and Keeper Reni. We also remembered the oldest 83-year-old participant, and also about the soles ants – all Alice and who were celebrating their 21st birthday.

 

There were also special gifts and thanks to the commanders of the rally and the owners of the Lamar Guest, the Duala family. Prizes have also been awarded to athletes. More than 600 awards were distributed. The DJ was taken care of by DJ EMIL. Nice fun and busy holidays combined with a great goal. During the picnic, 9-year-old Michal from Teresa, struggling with acute leukemia, was able to donate a symbolic zloty to the can. At 2:00 pm the peloton set off. Due to unfavorable weather, the organizer on the way back has changed the route, which eventually counted 40 km.

 

As in the previous year, the members in safety vest of the association We Act Effectively – We Create Better “Through Sport in the Future”, as well as employees of the departments of the District and District Education, Culture and Sport. The organizers of the above-mentioned individuals and companies give great thanks to the above mentioned persons and companies. See you next year, at the next bike rally “From Junior to Senior”.

 

Police in safety vest visited the families of the orphanage

Policemen wear reflective vest visited the family home at Konawa is home to one of three family homes “Ewe”.

There were many topics to talk about: safe moving around the city, paying attention to strangers, dangerous scams and respect for the other person.

 

Children were particularly interested in what the police were doing with regard to minors. The policewoman in reflective clothing gave them some positive and negative examples to keep children and adolescents able to influence their whole lives.

 

There was also a discussion about the relationship between the household members. There was talk of respect, mutual help, and the building of good family climates that help each other. Children got educational booklets, reflective items and safety vests.

Hikers will wear reflective clothing

The rules do not specify which reflective clothing should be worn on foot. – You do not have to look like a Christmas tree or put on a special vest right now. Sufficient armrests for forearms and lower thighs, which do not take up a lot of space, adapt to the shape of the body and can easily be taken with each other – says Adam Reza, President of the Polish Association of Experts for Road Accidents.

 

The introduction of reflective clothing is expected to help reduce the number of casualties. The police statistics show that in 2013, almost 9.5 thousand events involving pedestrians, in which 1147 people died, and about 9 thousand was injured. The year before was over 10.3 thousand. Such as accidents, in which nearly 9,700 people were injured. The number of people killed was alike. If the pedestrian is wearing a blind, the driver is able to see it at 20 or 30 meters after dark. Meanwhile, the response time to the unexpected situation is an average of 1.3 seconds. Auto moving at 50 km / h will be over 18 meters before any reaction occurs. Meanwhile, thanks to the glare, the pedestrian is visible to the driver even from a distance of 150 meters, adds President Reza.

 

The problem, contrary to popular belief, is not only the children who walk the roads to school. Most of the youngest are killed in the summer months – in June, July and August. But for adults, the biggest problem is the autumn and winter months, when it gets dark quickly, and the rain or snow is more difficult to see. Every year more than a hundred people are killed on the roadside, of which a dozen or so die.

 

– The basic principle for pedestrians is to “see and be visible”. Children or the elderly who have never been at the wheel of a car often get the impression that when the lights on their car are dazzling, it means that the driver is likely to see them, in this time, the safety reflective vest is necessary for safety. Nothing more wrong. You can compare this to the situation when we see a plane flying at 10 thousand meters. This does not mean that the pilot of this jet see us, – explains Mares from the traffic office of the Main Command of the Police.

 

According to Adam Reza, new regulations should translate into increased pedestrian safety. “If they are followed,” he adds. Perhaps enough motivation will threaten the mandate. For moving without glare after dark outside the built-up area will face a fine of 20 to 500 zł. Reflectors will not need to be worn if the pedestrian moves on the sidewalk or in the area of ​​residence. Criminal liability does not, however, include children up to the age of 17 years. The officer does not write down the child’s mandate nor can he impose such a penalty on the parent, because it was not he who committed the offense.

 

Another issue many parents forget about is that children under the age of 7 cannot move on their own. – According to Art. 89 of the Code of Misdemeanors, who has the duty to care for or supervise minors up to the age of 7, allows him to stay on public roads or on the tracks, is subject to fine or reprehensible punishment – Kinkier explains. – In other situations we can apply, who speaks about the means of educational influence. The officer may instruct, draw attention, conduct a disciplinary conversation with the parent, teacher or school principal, and even with the child himself, “the police officer adds.

 

Although shades are to be obligatory from this Sunday, those who do not fulfill this obligation, so far the police will only instruct. But officials are urging us to adapt to the new law as soon as possible. – We do not treat this recipe through punishment and spending. But buying a reflective item is about 2-5 PLN. It takes a few seconds, and it can save our lives. Fortunately, clothing designers are increasingly using fluorescent materials. Let’s remember that reflective fashion is safety and comfort – argues Mark. And jokingly: – If we all got out of the drawers these reflective items that were distributed by the police or insurance companies, then our streets would be more illuminated than downtown Las Vegas.

The police in safety vest intervenes the fuss

The animal defenders interrupted the Christmas hunt in Forest. Between them and the hunters there was a fuss. The police in safety vest and municipal guard intervened.

 

Hunters scheduled a Saturday morning meeting. Earlier, they had made all the required approvals and arranged the announcements in the area, informing them that hunting would be held in the forests. It was suggested to limit walks to the forest and exercise extreme caution.

Knowing the event, the activists called “I do not give a hunter’s hand,” dealing with animal defense, stumbled on one of the popular social networking sites willing to thwart hunting. Interest was great.

 

On Saturday morning, representatives of “I do not give a hunter’s hand” with an anarchist group, dressed in colorful, reflective vests, appeared in a place in the Forest, where it was to hunt.

– Instead of hunters under the forester’s lodge Macho waited for forest guards and police, but ignored our presence. They hung up the pages of another fake gathering site, the activists say.

 

– We have already received information on where to go hunting. That’s why we put our patrols in the wilderness. Our actions came down to the fact that we informed people to move cautiously around the forest, “admits Refax, Commander of the Commune Guard.

 

Hunting was not there

Defenders of the animals were well organized. They kept informing themselves where the hunters were. And they have reached their goal.

“The people who helped us moved into the wilderness where they managed to meet and stop a few shooters. Then from other activists we were informed that a hunter gathering in the Anew hunting lodge is ongoing. We went to the place. There were about 25 people making it impossible for the hunter to land in the area – they brag on the social networking site.

 

The hunter was hardly in the taste. There was a fuss. The police and the local police were called in to resolve the dispute. There was indeed an intervention in the Forest. The policemen lobbied and instructed both sides. This was over, “the press office of the police told us.

 

A more detailed account is presented by Commander, who was in place.

– How we came all this was happening normally, people were calm, and there was no aggression. Apparently, before we came here, there was some sharp exchange of opinions. The police in reflective uniform heard both sides, but there was no reason to take any consequences. Everyone went their separate ways – ends the guard.

 

Keep your safety with safety vest when meet Vehicle failure

First and foremost, we must take care of our safety. First, when the vehicle is immobilized, we should turn on emergency lights. The next step should be to put on a reflective vest – every driver, even if he does not have a legal obligation in Poland, should have it in his car.

 

Ideally, if the car had a vest for all passengers, remember to keep the vests in your cabin rather than in the hard-to-reach luggage compartment. The cost of buying a vest is small and its impact on immense security. After dusk no glare, we are only visible to the oncoming driver when it is 20 meters ahead – reflections increase this distance to 130 meters. This is a huge difference that gives the driver time to respond appropriately. In addition, note that reflective vests in most European countries are already mandatory vehicle equipment.

 

In the event of a car failure, do not sit in the vehicle

Wearing safety vests, the driver and passengers should safely leave the vehicle. Being in a vehicle exposes us to additional risks. Many people are killed in vehicle immobilization. The speed, bad marking of a broken vehicle, difficult road conditions cause drivers to crash into a broken car.

“Let’s pay special attention to children when leaving the vehicle. Let’s make sure they get off the right side and without hitching on the side of the road behind security barriers or in a zone where there is no risk of getting into another vehicle, “advises ŠKODA Auto School instructor Jackal.

The vehicle in addition to emergency lights should be marked with a warning triangle. Every car must have a car. His absence is not only a sign of negligence for his safety, but also the risk of receiving a mandate in the amount of 50 to 200 zł.

 

How to set up a warning triangle?

By marking a vehicle with a triangle we should have in mind the code of the road code. If we are on a freeway or expressway, the triangle should be set 100 meters from the vehicle. The triangle should be on the roadway or roadside. Outside the built-up area of ​​the triangle, we set 30-50 meters from the vehicle and in the built-up area – just behind the vehicle or on the vehicle at a height of no more than one meter.

 

Our life and health have no price. Reflecting your car with reflective clothing, learning how to deal with a crash is a small effort if you put our safety on the table.

Reflective clothing for runners

Running is not just a sports discipline – it’s the endorphins that come from every kilometer, it’s the joy of the lost distance, it’s the exchange of experience with other amateurs. The reflective vest is normal equipment for road safety of runners. So can rain, snow and wind discourage or even stop short and long distance fans?

 

For runners who are already preparing for the coldest and darkest winter months, Nike Running has developed a Flash Pack series that stands out in reflective design and multicolored prints to ensure visibility in all conditions.

 

Faces low temperatures and be visible!

The Nike Aeroflot Flash is equipped with special compartments filled with a very light layer of down, keeping the heat on the body. The spaces between the compartments were supplemented with laser-cut openings to provide optimum ventilation. The most interesting element of the vest is a reflective pattern, referring to the northern lights. Another functional solution for Aeroflot Flash is a sliding pocket to which the entire bikini can be hid when the racer gets warmer.

Why they equipped with reflective vest

A group of activists from the Wroclaw against Hunters group blocked hunting in Legnica. Equipped with reflective vests and crossed-out slogans, they claimed they had come for a walk. Hunters tried to get rid of the protesters, but eventually capitulated.

 

Activists from the group Wroclaw against the Hunters appeared in the Legnica forest at the time of the hunt. They claimed they had come for a walk, when the hunters were out and ready for hunting. The hunters, however, did not give up and called on the police.

 

Intervention of the officers in safety vest ended with the recording of activists, but it was allowed to stay in the forest. Finally, the hunters stepped down and left the forest. According to the organizer of the action, everything took place culturally. “Well, only one of them recommended a visit to a psychiatrist,” he recounted.

 

This is another action of animal defenders recently. Recently, the BASTA Animal Initiative has blocked hunting in West Pomerania. Meanwhile, the government is introducing regulations that allow hunting of animals in reserves, which does not appeal to the hunter itself. Contrary to popular belief, they without reflective clothing do not intend to shoot anything that lives in knives. Anxiety awakens the inscription that hunting can now take place where animals have been safe until now. Even worse, the district veterinarian can even take a stand alone decision.

 

Reflective elements are mandatory after dark

Poland is in 2nd place among European Union countries in terms of the number of children without safety vest dying in traffic accidents. According to a report by the Police Headquarters in Poland, there were 3210 traffic accidents involving children aged 0-14. As a result, 80 children died and over 3,500 children died, was injured. The vast majority of all accident victims among children aged 0-6 are vehicle occupants. In the case of children aged 7-14, the majority of fatal road traffic accidents were among pedestrians.

 

– Around 800 children are killed each year in the European Union. Only in Poland, as 2012 figures show, this is about 90 children. This problem so exists and is very significant – says Pewee, CEO of CUBE.ITG, a company which, together with Polish rally champion Kieta, promotes children’s reflections.

 

Reflective elements significantly increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on the road. Under the traffic law, every pedestrian is obliged to wear them, not only the child who is traveling at dusk outside the built-up area. There is a penalty of up to PLN 500 for missing a reflective item. According to the experts, sevenfold increase the chance that the driver will notice the pedestrian and thus be able to slow down or safely avoid him.

– Pedestrians who do not have reflective material, with a slight aura visible from a distance of 20 meters, with a reflective element are from 150 meters up to 300 meters.

 

Reflective elements are considered inter alia, Vests, lanyards, fasteners, and key chains. You can buy them in sports and paper shops, most supermarkets, health and safety stores or reflexes and gas stations. Many shops offer specially designed children’s reflective animal or animal cartoon key rings. The reflective element itself is not enough – just as important is its proper location.

– It is best to wear it on your shoulder or somewhere high on the leg. Then the driver has a chance to actually see this sign – says Pewee.

 

In September 2015, the CUBE.ITG Capital Group launched the “Reflected Kids” campaign in Wroclaw. Its purpose is to make children aware of the need to wear reflective elements on their clothing. Kieta, the four-time Polish champion in the general rally of the Polish Rally Championship, was urged to safety on the way of the pupils. He also handed out a reflective armband with the Rally Team logo and the “Family in the Form” social campaign.

Increase your child’s safety with reflective vest

A few gelds may be enough to save a pedestrian’s life. Reflective elements, such as vests or bands, make walking more visible than normal. Autumn is a time when it is darker, it is wet, slippery, and the streets are often misty. Visibility on roads drastically drops. Our educational action is “Safe Road to School”.

 

“One of the simplest ways to increase the safety of our children on the roads is to equip them with reflective elements,” says Gregory from PZU, our partner.

And explains why: – Even the best driver will not react at a stretch of 20 meters. And from this distance we are visible going down in the dark without glare. Reflective elements extend this distance to 150-300 meters. Let’s give drivers time to react – he explains.

 

Already today the traffic law says that children up to 15 years of age who move after dark in an undeveloped area where there is no sidewalk must be dressed in a reflective safety vest. – When they walk alone, we write a note to the court. When they are under the care of their parents, they generally end up explaining why the glare is so important, “says the cop.

 

But from the beginning of next year this rule will already apply to all pedestrians, regardless of age. Plans are high – up to three thousand. zł. For the time being, the police are trying to educate, distribute in schools and at various reflective meetings. The insurer gives schools money to buy glare, but also distributes such items on events such as the “Safe Zone.” – Even if it was to save a life of one.

 

Where to buy reflective elements

Reflective bracelets will be bought for a few zlotys (even for 2 zł). Reflective vests are a bit more expensive, but we can find them for as much as five zlotys.

Reflective items can be purchased both in traditional stores and over the internet. Allegro offers a lot of things that improve our security. There are also special online stores that sell a wide range of reflective items – reflective hats, headscarves, pendants, labels and bags. Thanks to the colors and the prints they will surely appeal to the little ones. We will find them on sites like

 

If we prefer traditional shopping, we will be reflecting in larger hypermarkets, but also in bicycles, motorbike shops, IKEA, and even some petrol stations (we should also have basic reflective vest).