Tag: safety vest

A “technological vest” increases the safety of cyclists

The development of a modular device in the shape of a safety vest that provides information to drivers is the goal of one of the projects that is developed in Cesar laboratories.

 

LAMP or ‘Look at me please’ is the name of one of the projects selected in the first call Cesar Labs, which are developing different open jobs and driven by citizens in laboratories Cesar from the Art and Technology Center of Zaragoza. This project, whose idea sprang from the mind of the Zaragoza geographer, Immaculate, has been taking shape in recent weeks with the help of a team of five professionals with very different profiles but who share one objective: to contribute to increase visibility and safety of cyclists when they use the bicycle in the city.

 

Its promoter joined the phenomenon of wearable technology with the boom of mobility on two wheels and did it, above all, thinking about the protection of those cyclists. “Although the number of incidents is decreasing and circulation improves with the bike lanes, accidents still occur,” says Bareilly. “The basic idea is to raise the awareness of the driver behind the bike. If you have someone who, in front of you, indicates where you are going, you are already on notice. The cyclist feels more secure, watched, and encourages a peaceful coexistence in which we are all equal and can live together respecting the rules of circulation, “he adds, not forgetting to mention the environmental benefits inherent to the use of this means of transport.

 

Taken into practice, his project whose prototype was presented last weekend at the event Zaragoza Maker Show. It is based on the development of a modular device that takes the form of a vest or dorsal, with reflective tape parts and subject to the wearer through of handles and a belt, also designed for bicycle users, for skaters or runners who want to send information of interest about their maneuvers to vehicle drivers, other cyclists or pedestrians. “Through it I can indicate if I’m going to turn to the right or to the left without having to raise my hands from the handlebar; something that can be used to avoid shocks or accidents, especially when driving on the road, “explains the head of LAMP.

 

For the time being, this technology allows sending turn signals – through flashing LED lights located to the right and left – and communicate that the march continues and that the user of the device is circulating – two red lights flashing. According to Bareilly explains, the operation is simple: “The cyclist puts on his vest, turns it on and, through a control knob installed on the handlebar of the bicycle – now in development, with only one finger, he can send the different ones information to indicate turns in an intuitive way and through a joystick “, specifies. The connection between the transmitting element and the receiver is made through Bluetooth. “It could also be a wired, infrared or radio frequency connection. In addition, we do not rule out incorporating other options such as a GPS module, “they say.

 

They say that what makes this project different is its simplicity and lightness. In the opinion of your promoter, it is essential not to have to choose between the visibility of the cyclist and his comfort: “It has to be a useful object without being a hindrance or consuming too much energy. Other existing models consist of larger backpacks or jackets with integrated lights. “Among its advantages it states that this device can be easily disassembled and washed, in addition to recharging your battery with a mobile phone charger.

 

The creator of ‘Look at me please’ recognizes that she would love that Zaragoza was the city that bet to integrate this product into its environment. “I hope that a company can be born from this project. For now, we have developed the prototype and we have support, we have become known among the cycling groups and we are in the advisory phase, “he reveals. Meanwhile, they are working to take the following steps with the aim of making their project real, also helping to promote the use of bicycles and high visibility vest in the city.

 

Police in safety vest deal the Motorcycles in violation

It was in operations carried out since last September by the City Police and the Transit Secretariat of Buenos Aires. Motorcycles that are not removed by their owners will enter the compaction process.

 

The City Police in safety vest and the Buenos Aires Transit Secretariat seized 695 motorcycles that presented impediments to travel in joint operations carried out since September. For the procedures established motorcycle controls in fixed and dynamic points of the Federal Capital. Among the shots confiscated, the infractions that were repeated were lack of helmet, driving by minors and not having escapes.

 

Motorcyclists were also found to circulate with adulterated or illegible patents or without the use of the veneers placed. Others were penalized for not wearing the reflective vest, for breaching the insurance, problems with the driver’s license, missing mirrors, not having a green card or that it was expired at the time of control, and walking without a helmet.

 

Motorcycles in violation were derived to the beaches of the City Police with the purpose of being returned to their owners once the infractions were regularized, or compacted in the case that so required. In most cases, the bikes were not removed from the judicial deposits by their owners and will be compacted in the coming weeks. All the shots that go to the compaction process do so within the framework, which depends on the Undersecretary of Citizen Security of the Ministry of Justice and Security of the City. All of the police actives is for city road safety.

Everything you need to know about the reflective vest

The summary of the new regulations will take effect on January 1. That means the reflective vest that must have all the cars that circulate in Chile since January 1, 2016. Two decades ago, something similar happened with another road safety measure: the third brake light.

 

The information is abundant, but this is the definitive summary made by Cohasset:

“Supreme Decree No. 164/2014 adds the reflective yellow vest to the other security elements that must be found in each motor vehicle to deal with emergency situations.”

 

Failure to comply with the wearing of the reflective safety vest will constitute a slight fault, which translates into a fine of 0.2 to 0.5 UTM. In pesos, that equals 9,000 to 22,400 pesos.

 

 

 

Bus crushes head to cyclist without reflective vest

A man identified as Ricardo Sosa Retina, 32, died when a bus hit him while riding his bicycle without any safety equipment. This happened in front of the Hotel San Isidro in Villa, on the South highway.

According to the story of several witnesses, the cyclist was on the side of the road to Buenos Aires and the San Isidro-Palmaris bus was behind him, but for reasons that are still unknown, he lost control and he ran over him.

 

These people said that the public transport vehicle passed over him and one of his tires crushed his head, causing him to die instantly. The absence of a helmet, lights, and reflective vest influenced the bus driver not to observe him.

 

The Red Cross was the first to arrive at the site, verified a head injury and for that reason they declared him deceased. William Murillo of the Traffic Police added that the bus driver was given the respective exams to rule out any sign of alcohol. “The bus is in order, while the driver was tested for alcohol and came out negative,” he said.

 

Sosa lived in San Francisco by Daniel Flores, worked in a supermarket in the area with wear a safety vest, and was the father of a girl. In the comments of his neighbors, they remember him as a humble, hard-working, responsible, respectful, and loving man of his family. The investigation was carried out by the Judicial Investigation Agency.

 

Use of a reflective vest on motorcycles at night

In Medellin, it is no longer mandatory to use the reflective vest on motorcycles throughout the day. However, what is missing is going to do to avoid road accidents and safety problems.

 

That is part of the reflection made yesterday by the mayor of Medellin, Alonso Salazar Jaramillo. After accepting the resolution of the Ministry, that requires the use of this garment to motorcyclists only between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

 

Although the resolution of the Ministry occurred several weeks ago, only until yesterday, the Mayor decided to apply it in the city. The situation had generated discomfort among several motorcyclists who felt violated by sanctions from the Traffic Department for not wearing the vest during daylight hours.

 

“I am tired of being told at the roadblocks that the use of the safety vest for the motorcyclist is mandatory because the Mayor has not yet given permission to remove it,” Juan Guillermo, the typing agent, said recently. However, for Mayor Salazar Jaramillo, although motorcycle drivers who do not wear their vests on the day will no longer be punished, “I call on them to continue using the garment voluntarily as a contribution to safety.”

 

Salazar Jaramillo recalled that unfortunately bikes are often used to commit criminal acts and the vest helps the authorities identify the vehicle from which the crime would be committed. In addition, he said that wearing the vest on the day “is a bet of the motorcyclists to the citizen culture that not only the Administration appreciates but the citizenship in general”.

 

For Save lives

Unfortunately, it is that motorcyclists are the ones of who contribute most of the dead and injured in road accidents. Not in vain, according to data from the Municipal Traffic Secretariat, in the city have been sanctioned 77,080 motorcyclists who committed traffic infractions.

 

One of the biggest causes of accidents, drunkenness, leads the fines with 919 motorcyclists without wearing high visibility vest sanctioned so far this year. It is followed by traffic on the road with 582 submissions and overcrowding with 414 sanctioned motorcyclists. The Mayor said that thanks to road campaigns, in the city have decreased by 12 percent deaths in road accidents or 21 fewer people so far this year.

 

 

Road Police applied 130 fines in three days of operation

The Road Police says that the lack of reflective vest in motorcyclists and the absence of the first aid kit in cars are the main infractions.

“I left in a hurry for work and did not bring it,” the motorcycle driver, who was not wearing a reflective vest, was justified while the traffic inspector took out his notebook to record the infraction in writing, behind him most motorcyclists. They did not even have one on Route 8; few used reflective bands and others, eight years after it became mandatory, still not incorporate the use of a helmet.

 

In total, since the beginning of the inspection operation of the new traffic law, on Saturday, March 28, until yesterday afternoon, the police officers had applied about 130 fines to drivers throughout the country. Although there is not data by type of infraction, from Coalminer informed Observatory that the preliminary figures indicate that the circular without a vest was the violation of the most registered norm.

 

The use of this security element is stipulated in article 7 of Law 19.061, which indicates that it is mandatory for those who travel by motorcycle or similar “permanent use during its circulation in all public roads” of vest, jacket, or reflective strips. If not used, the fine amounts to about $ 403 (0.5 resettable units) per person.

 

“If you do not come with anything reflective, you are a shadow,” because the vest “comes to reinforce visibility,” the Public Relations Officer of Road Police, Daniel Segovia, explained to El Observatory, regarding the need to use it, especially at night. On the other hand, the spokesperson of Coalminer said that although it is even in the whole country, the infraction becomes more noticeable near populated places. “There is a big difference between the motorcyclists who is going to do the long distance from the one who is going to make the cut. The problem is the one that left the neighborhood to the service station. “In that kilometer someone does not see me or something crosses my path and most likely does not tell it,” he warned.

 

Although most of the drivers expressed knowledge of the new norm, not all were clear about its scope. Although the inspectors in safety vest pointed out to each of the offenders the corresponding article and the text of the rule that be applied, they were inflexible when setting the fines.

 

 

Wearing reflective vest: How it should be and in what part

Those who do not wear the vest in the vehicle risk a fine of up to 22,000 pesos.

From January 1, all cars in Chile must wear a reflective vest inside; otherwise, the owner of the vehicle will risk a fine.

 

The objective is to “make the driver more visible when he gets off the vehicle in an emergency situation, and thus prevent abuses.” As detailed by the National Traffic Safety Commission, not wearing the vest will be a slight fault so the person will be fined with 0.2 to 0.5 UTM, that is, between 8,991 and 22,477 pesos.

 

Cohasset explains that the vest “must contain both yellow fluorescent material and retro reflective material.” The law has not been very clear in its use, but it must be that each motorist must have it in an accessible place inside the vehicle, which has given way to the inevitable memes.

 

Dozens of Twitter users and other platforms have developed their photos and comments on the popular safety vest, which should be yellow and took social networks.

 

 

Nine questions about the use of the reflective vest

It completed the first three days since this element is mandatory, there are still several questions that arise in the drivers, so here we clarify certain doubts.

 

– How should be the reflective vest?

It must be yellow, made of fluorescent material, and have strips of retro reflective material with a width of not less than 50 mm.

 

– What are the vest models that comply with the regulations?

Model 1: The vest can have a horizontal band that surrounds the torso, and two bands that join from front to back over each shoulder, forming an X on the back. The lower part of the torso band should be at a minimum distance of 5 centimeters from the bottom edge of the vest.

Model 2: Two horizontal bands were surrounding the torso, separated by a minimum distance of 5 centimeters. The lower part of the lower band must be at a minimum distance of 5 centimeters from the lower edge of the vest.

Model 3: Two horizontal bands were surrounding the torso, separated by a minimum distance of 5 centimeters, and bands that join the upper band of the torso from front to back, passing through each shoulder. On the back, they form an X. The lower part of the lower band of the torso should be at a minimum distance of 5 centimeters from the lower edge of the vest.

 

– Where should I store the vest and when should I use it?

This vest must always be in an accessible place from the inside of the vehicle, as if the glove compartment and the driver must put it on before getting off the vehicle to attend an emergency.

 

– Do fines also apply if I do not wear the vest when appropriate?

Since this decree only regulates the carrying of this article and not its use, Carabineers will not be able to fine people who leave the mobile without the high visibility vest, but only those who do not have it in their car.

The commander José Luis Ojeda in statements to La Tercera, who said that, clarified this “Carabineers cannot go against what is established, the only thing that is established is decree 22, what it does is add to the security kit, the reflective vest”.

 

– Do I risk a fine if I do not carry it in the vehicle?

Failure to comply with the wearing of the reflective vest will constitute a slight fault, which translates into a fine that ranges between $ 9,000 and $ 22,500 (0.2 to 0.5 UTM).

 

– Where the Carabineers control carried out?

Carabineers will be able to carry out the pertinent controls when they so decide, in urban, rural sectors and on roads.

 

– What is the value of the vest?

They can found between $ 2,500 and $ 5,000, both by Internet distributors and in traditional stores.

 

– Is only the reflective vest required in the safety kit?

No. In addition to the documents, the vehicle must have Fire extinguisher, cat and wheel keys, spare wheel, first aid kit, and two triangles.

 

– Will motorcyclists have to comply with this decree?

Although there have been circulated complaints of fines to motorcyclists who did not wear the reflective safety vest, the authorities have clarified that motorcycles should not necessarily comply with this measure.

 

The blatant response of a police in safety vest

A police officer in safety vest driving a motorcycle recorded by a citizen in a street in Bogota, who complained about taking two other people on board when the rule requires that in this vehicle a maximum of two passengers mobilized and prohibited from transporting Children under 10 years old.

 

When asked if the bike was for three or two (passengers), the safety uniformed gave a surprising and blatant answer. This was justified by carrying a girl in the middle of it and the barbecue.

 

In the video, which has gone viral in social networks, it also observed that the passenger in the back does not wear the reflective vest also required by law. Had it been another citizen surprised by the transit authorities, the punishment would have included a fine and the immobilization of the vehicle, with the expenses that this represents.

 

 

Remember the safety equipment before starting a road trip

The drivers are increasingly rushing to use their vehicles and it is common to drive with cars that exceed 10 years, an age in which they increase the chances of suffering breakdowns. In this case, the safety equipment for car is necessary. When the car starts making strange sounds or gives problems in the middle of a journey, nerves should not carry you away and it is better to act calmly and respecting the rules. To avoid lying on the road, it is best to ensure that the vehicle is in condition beforehand, if it has passed its revisions and does not give problems, it is more difficult to stop working suddenly.

 

Before you get behind the wheel, check also that you have all the required documentation and, of course, check that your policy is in order and inform yourself of all the guarantees you have and before what problems you can resort to your insurance. For example, not all companies offer assistance when your car suffers a puncture or stops on the road. Others cover even the journey, stay in a hotel if you are away from home, and need accommodation.

 

What happens if the car breaks down while driving?

When your car starts to suffer problems, chances are you have time to detect it and take it to a workshop without needing a crane. If it stops, working suddenly while you are in town, getting help will be easy for you. The biggest problem is on roads, where you expose yourself to a more dangerous situation. Keep a reflective vest is good for your safety on road.

 

In addition, you will have to point out the accident with the emergency triangles. Placing them is very simple: on freeways or motorways you will have to place a triangle at a minimum distance of 50 meters from the back of the car and, on two-way roads, you will also have to put one on the front. Remember that whenever you are out of the car you will have to wear a reflective vest. If you do not, you run the risk fined or another driver will not see you and suffer an accident.

 

When everything signaled, it is time to contact your insurer or a roadside assistance service. While you wait, stay out of the circulation area and preferably inside the vehicle, unless you are standing on the road. If you go outside, stay behind the guardrail with the safety vest on. First, keep calm while you wait for help to arrive and act with caution.