Tag: reflective clothing

Why motorcycle riders shun high-visibility clothing

Motorcycle riders are greatly overrepresented in the U.S. traffic deaths, with more than 5,000 killed each year.

The Governors Highway Safety Association says frequently when cars and motorcycles are involved in a crash, car drivers said they didn’t even see the motorcycle.

The safety group says wearing high-visibility clothing with reflective material could help prevent some of those types of crashes – but its new study finds many reasons why motorcycle riders don’t.

Spokeswoman Kara Macek says many who participated in the study dislike the neon colors used in most high visibility or reflective clothing. Clothing is often not seen as “cool,” and study participants had some derogatory names for those who wear it, such as “midlife crisis riders.”

Others didn’t think the high-visibility clothing would help, believing that the noise of their motorcycles would make car drivers notice them, more than high-visibility gear.

“The few folks who did report wearing this gear said they did so because they had been involved in a motor vehicle crash,” says Macek, “or someone they knew had been involved in a motor vehicle crash.”

Macek says states can use the study to educate motorcycle riders about the importance of wearing reflective or high visibility clothing with reflective tape.

And she says companies should make the clothing more appealing to motorcyclists.

This must be considered by joggers and cyclists in the cold

The days are getting colder – the fall has Germany firmly under control. Many outdoor athletes refrain from the darker season on the training outdoors and make it rather comfortable on the sofa. In spite of all weather conditions, others cycle to work every day. With the right equipment, jogging or cycling does not have to be abandoned. Some tips:

Tip 1 – Warm up properly

If you come from heated rooms for sports outside, the organism must first adjust to the low temperatures. Those who start with full intensity immediately inhale the cold air too quickly and risk irritating the pharynx, bronchi, and lungs. This increases the risk of cold. Muscles and joints also take longer to reach operating temperature. Therefore, a warm-up for five to ten minutes before going to the sport and then get into the usual training.

Tip 2 – Do not wear too warm

Many recreational athletes dress in winter weather too warm. Athletes dress best in the wind or minus degrees according to the three-layer principle: functional underwear, a warming insulating layer such as fleece, which does not store moisture, and a protective layer. This can be, for example, a breathable windbreaker that lets moisture escape from the inside out, but keeps out wind, rain, and snow. Cotton clothing is not suitable because it stores the sweat and cools the athlete faster.

Tip 3 – Protect your head, feet, and hands

It is also advisable to wear a hat, scarf and light gloves because the human loses about 40 percent of the body heat over the head and neck. If you ride a bike in winter, you have to protect your hands and feet well against the cold, otherwise, you will soon become numb. For the hands, lined and windproof gloves are a must. Two pairs of socks only help when the shoe is not too tight because the air between the foot and the shoe is insulating. Also, neoprene overshoes and breathable rain pants help against freezing temperatures.

Tip 4 – Reflective clothing for safety

Light and reflective clothing increase safety for joggers and cyclists. A bright yellow or orange safety vest can also help cyclists feel better in traffic.

Tip 5 – Sufficient light on the bike

The bike should be easily recognizable in the dark, both through its lighting and through reflective materials. With missing or not functioning lighting Radlern threatens a fine of at least 20 euros. Also, this can have expensive consequences for accidents.

Tip 6 – Slow down the pace while biking

With slippery paving, snow, and ice, the risk of falls for cyclists is generally high. Cyclists should slow down the pace and neither corner nor brake in curves. Also for bicycles, there are now special winter tires and provided with metal pins road spikes. If you also set the saddle a few centimeters lower, you can quickly get in touch with both feet if necessary.

Tip 7 – Strengthen the immune system

Not least, regular exercise such as walking, running or cycling in the cold season not only strengthens the immune system and protects against infections, but also helps against the mood low in the dark season. Sport and exercise in the fresh air stimulate the production of the stimulant hormone serotonin and the circulation. Even in gray, cloudy skies, natural daylight is three to four times as intense as the room lighting. Experts advise going outside for half an hour if possible.

Reflectors in Winter: Bright lifesavers for children

Especially in the dark season, children are at risk in traffic. With the right clothes and equipment, you can avoid accidents on the way to school. Our tips to increase visibility in traffic.

“A careless moment, a child running out into the street between parked cars – especially in the fall and winter months accidents happen to the little ones more often. However, many dangerous situations and accidents would be relatively easy to avoid,” says TÜV Rheinland.

Lack of visibility, especially at dusk and in the dark to school trips accidents: Especially accident critical times: between 7 and 8 clocks in the morning and between 16 and 18 clocks. “Children are seen worse,” says Julia Lohmann from the German Road Safety Council (DVR). The risk of accidents increases when snow, rain and backlights worsen the sight of motorists. Parents could easily find a remedy, Fohmann warns.

Safety on the walk

“Parents should always have their children in mind,” says Julia Lohmann. Especially first-graders are particularly vulnerable, since on the one hand by their height even do not have the required overview, on the other hand also be noticed worse. “Children of this age are often still unpredictable and their response is poor.” The ADAC points out. Especially when the little ones first have to master their way to school in the dark. If the parents cannot accompany the children to school, this task can be taken on by other adults or older children.

Visibility in traffic

With light reflective clothing, children are visible in the dark up to 40 meters, in dark clothing, however, only up to 25 meters. If a car has to brake at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour, the braking distance alone is around 28 meters. Therefore, the earliest possible visibility in traffic is extremely important. Colorful clothes seem more striking than monochrome, advises Württemberg insurance. Not only children and pedestrians but also joggers and cyclists are often overlooked in the dark season. Particularly suitable is therefore eye-catching clothing, such as neon colors such as pink or yellow.

Reflectors increase visibility

Who does not know her from his school days? ABC shooters or kindergartners receive small colorful reflectors that they can tie to their school bags or clothing. Meanwhile, there are a variety of animal and cartoon characters and colors of these Blinkies. In the spotlight of oncoming cars, these reflectors are already widely visible.

Visible clothing

In the dark season come again the bright neon-colored safety vests are used. They are made of breathable and lightweight material and can be easily pulled over the normal jackets. Visibility is increased enormously with safety vests: even at a distance of 140 meters, these can be perceived by motorists. An important time to slow down and prevent an accident.

In addition to safety, vests can also be tightened bands and sashes. However, the surface of the reflective material should not fall below 15 square centimeters, warns the Tüv. Otherwise, the luminosity is not big enough. In specialist shops and on the Internet, LED bulbs with reflectors can be purchased, which can then be fastened with a clip to the backs of shoes and bring even more attention

Safe locomotion

Anyway, a roadworthy bike should have reflectors on the spokes, so-called cat’s eyes, as well as reflectors on the pedals, says Julia Lohmann from the German Traffic Safety Council. “And with a bell to be heard better.” In the meantime, there are also bicycles, the rear additional reflective strips and thus increase security. “Young children should also use the sidewalk with their bicycles in the dark season.” Headlamps, worn on the helmet or the head, also generated more attention from oncoming cyclists due to the cyclist’s movement.

Also, the LED lamp could often be switched to the flashing mode and so additionally noticed earlier, advises the Württembergische insurance. However, more and more children are using not only the bicycle but also scooters, which offer less space for reflectors. “But visibility can be increased by using LED lamps that are attached to the front panel,” advises Lohmann. Some scooter manufacturers already have built-in lamps, some also have side LEDs and reflectors on the wheels.

Conclusion: The more flashy, brighter and more colorful the clothes, the more reflectors and blinking on jackets, bicycles, and scooters – the earlier the little ones are perceived even in the dark season. And they are all safer on the road in winter.

The spikes of cyclists and road safety specialists are still crossed

For four years, cyclists have been on the road with reflective vests or headlights on for the day. The rules quite old and dissatisfaction is still going on, but traffic safety specialists do not promise to come down. Like cyclists. Old changes Increasing the number of bicycles in cities is one of the cornerstones of sustainable mobility plans currently being prepared by Lithuanian municipalities. Many of them are likely to have phrases such as promoting clean vehicles and building infrastructure for them. Cities are trying to show, through a variety of means, that they want to become more attractive to those who drive an alternative vehicle, such as straight cycle paths, lines where they cannot be drawn, and bicycle signs. Action is underway, but by observing such work, the cycling community is pointing the finger at adopted laws and regulations governing road safety, which, they say, only make cycling worse and sometimes even discourage them from choosing this vehicle. The biggest misunderstanding cyclists cite in a 2014 government decree is the requirement to wear a high visibility vest with light reflectors or turn on white light on the front of a bicycle and a red one on the back of a bicycle during daytime driving. The combination of these three measures is a must for a cyclist when he is moving in the driveway during the dark hours of the day. Even angrier was the ban on crossing the carriageway when using pedestrian crossings.

Marius Kučinskas, an active cyclist, surveyed the social network Facebook group “Lithuanian Cyclists’ Society”, asking cyclists whether they are following the changes to the KET that took effect on October 1, 2014. When asked whether cycling through pedestrian crossings, the vast majority of cyclists answered yes. Ask whether the cyclists wear a vest or turn on the lights during daylight hours, 64%. Of those surveyed, 36% said that they travel without reflectors or a vest. claimed to have used at least one of the above tools. It is true that when looking at the results of respondents from different cities, there are differences in approach. In Vilnius, as much as 57 percent. cyclists are reluctant to wear reflective vests with reflective tapes and turn on lights; Kaunas cyclists also claimed daytime running with lights on or wearing a vest. M. Kucinskas says that this is not a representative survey, but it reveals the general attitude of cyclists towards the changes imposed on them. “I have repeatedly appealed to the Ministry of Transport to discuss changes to these rules, but the ministry’s specialists are silent on the possibility of proposing to the Government to amend a ruling made four years ago, arguing that such a change was necessary and contributed significantly to safer cyclists participation in traffic, “said M.Kucinskas. The same was confirmed to the newspaper by Vidmantas Pumputis, Senior Advisor of the Road Transport and Civil Aviation Policy Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. “No changes are being planned to this KET point,” he commented laconically. However, active cyclists do not stop pedaling and letting their hands down – they have put forward their suggestions to several members of the Seimas and hope that their views will be heard. As the aforementioned amendments to the KET were adopted by a Government resolution, they may be rendered irrelevant by the Seimas by adopting the relevant amendments to the Law on Road Traffic Safety. As the ruling is against the law, it should be amended or waived. Everything about safety Stasys Brundza, a Member of the Seimas last year, says he doesn’t understand cyclists’ reluctance to ride with lights on or wearing reflective vests. “After all, such decisions have been made to improve the visibility of cyclists on the road. Even when subjected to the weather, cyclists do not park their vehicles in pantries or balconies, and visibility is now extremely low, making it much easier for drivers to spot with light or bright reflective clothing. Is it so difficult to buy a light bulb costing several or ten euros to contribute to your safety and that of others on the road? ” the former MP did not hide his surprise. There’s another reason why cyclists should ride with lights on and vests on, so the driver can identify them as faster-moving road users, he said. “In poorer weather conditions, cyclists can confuse a cyclist with a pedestrian – cycling and pedestrian heights are quite similar, and speeds vary several times, so the driver, just after looking into a pedestrian circle, should understand how fast they are moving and not in between, like cyclists,” Brundza shared his thoughts.

Helmets for everyone?

He also said he did not understand why it was not accepted for many years that all cyclists should wear helmets. They are now mandatory for cyclists and cyclists under the age of 18, according to KETs, and only recommended for those over 18. “Foreign scientists have long proven that about 50% of cyclists who have been involved in accidents have head injuries that could have been avoided if cyclists were wearing helmets,” the MP said. Cyclist M.Kucinskas, who communicated with the daily newspaper, said that such regulation would also seem appropriate and necessary for him. The brand would also recommend the use of helmets for scooters, who are increasingly found on city streets.

Big police action kicks off

It is an old year and many today will embark on a trip, visiting family, organized New Year’s Eve, and some people will go further, whether at home or abroad. Also, last-minute shopping can cause additional stress, resulting in a lack of concentration and nervousness in traffic, with traffic jams in shopping malls.

Also, increased traffic and congestion are expected on all major thoroughfares, as well as at border crossings.

Unfortunately, in the Old Year last year and the first hours of New 2018, we recorded an increase in the number of traffic accidents involving fatalities, more specifically in four road accidents five people were killed.

For this reason, we would like to remind you of the tips for drivers, which we always repeat during the holidays when there are crowds and congestion:

Don’t rush, take the time and go on a journey sooner rather than cause a traffic accident,

Prepare your vehicle and yourself for the journey, especially if you are going for the long haul,

Get up-to-date on road conditions and traffic flow, as well as weather conditions that may affect you while traveling,

Observe traffic rules and regulations, do not initiate risky vehicle actions (e.g., off-peak traffic, vehicle column overtaking),

Adjust the speed to the road conditions and keep to its limits,

Keep the distance you need when moving behind another vehicle,

Pass pedestrians and exercise caution and slow down when approaching pedestrian crossings.

Tips for drivers who have consumed alcohol:

Leave your car parked properly and walk away – it will benefit you and you will not endanger anyone,

Use public transit,

Use taxi services because it will be far safer and cheaper,

If you are in the company, arrange in advance who will stay sober and drive back,

Ask someone sober to drive you,

Do not sit behind the wheel for at least 24 hours after drinking a large amount of alcohol,

While driving under the influence of alcohol, you are not only endangering yourself but also other road users,

On nights of high risk (weekend), drive slower and more cautiously, whether you drink or not,

Remember that no reason is warranted for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

In addition to the driver, we also have some tips for pedestrians and cyclists:

Specifically, in winter, when days are shorter and visibility is often reduced due to weather conditions (fog, cloudy, precipitation), pedestrians are more difficult to spot for drivers.

Therefore, we advise everyone, especially older pedestrians, to wear lighter clothing or at least one garment in a lighter color to increase their visibility and thus directly affect their traffic safety. In addition to lighter clothing, we also recommend the use of reflective details (reflective vests, reflective hand straps with reflective tapes or socks) for both pedestrians and cyclists, whose visibility is also reduced in the winter. Bicycle traffic has declined during the winter, however, a significant number of people continue to use it as a means of transport, which is why unlighted bikes and cyclists without reflective clothing are at increased risk of road traffic accidents.

The police have acted intensely throughout December, which will continue today, as well as throughout this week, and will focus its activities on preventing and sanctioning the most serious offenses, in particular, the so-called “offenses”. The “four major traffic killers” (alcohol, speed, seat belt, and cellphone) and, according to repeat offenders, repeat offenders.

In addition to the police, motorists, like all other road users, with their responsible behavior, can also contribute to increasing the level of road safety.

“Without reflex, you are like a gray spot”

“It doesn’t matter if you look like a Christmas tree, only you can see,” says Camilla Fri-Bergström at the Raseborg police. Without reflex, you blend into the surroundings, at least sixth-graders in the Katarina School in Karis know.

The darkness came so suddenly that Freija Kauranen did not react. By the next week when it seals further, she will dig out reflex tapes and trays. Also, she sometimes wears a reflective vest sew on reflective tape.

“But only when mom forces,” she adds whispering.

Here at the Katarina School in Karis, it is obvious to use reflex. Sixth graders Freija Kauranen, Linus Wiklund and Arvid Hanell do not show the slightest hint of attitude problems when it comes to being safe in traffic. It’s cool to be safe. But what about the external requirements?

“The use of reflex is a matter of course, but it should not look anyhow,” says Kauranen.

Both Arvid Hansell and Linus Wiklund are both good users of reflective vests and other smaller reflexes. What one looks like is secondary when it is the issue of security.

It is dark after all so no one sees one.

At the Katarina School, the attitude is admirable, but everywhere people are not as positively inclined to use reflexes. For older Constable Camilla Fri-Bergström at the Raseborg Police, darkness is a yearly recurring theme, if possible even higher than for the rest of us.

“Situational speed. Deer. Moose. Dark. Driving lights. Schoolchildren. Reflex. Raceborg. My thoughts this morning.”

So Fri-Bergström writes on the Raseborg Police’s Facebook page one Tuesday morning in October. The rain, the fog, and the darkness have made their way into classic October manners, and this is evident in the traffic.

The children’s reflections are extra important to think about, she says – the family’s smallest can behave erratically in traffic. Here, the constable points to parents’ responsibilities. Regardless of whether or not reflex is considered a bargaining factor, it is a must for anyone who wants to be different from the environment.

It doesn’t matter if you look like a Christmas tree, only you can see.

Darkness is a national phenomenon but touches on a local level. In Raseborg, taxi drivers who pick up school children in the mornings have wanted all children to wear reflexes to appear better.

But also as an adult, it is important to think about your safety. Fog and bad before, like the dark, affect how you look – and street lighting does not help the situation significantly, although many believe it. Something should be flashing for you to be seen, says the constable.

Without a reflex, you often become a small, gray spot in the surroundings.

A citizen informed the police of an adult who was cycling along the country road – without reflex. According to Camilla Fri-Bergström, this is a common attitude problem – you think you will be seen but the reality is another. In the darkness only what is illuminated by the headlights.

The truth is also a crunch in numbers. The driver of a car with turned on dipped beams can see a pedestrian at an average of fifty meters distance. If the pedestrian wears reflective clothing, they are visible at a distance of 350 meters. With the main beam turned on, the reflex is even more efficient. The law states that pedestrians should use reflex – yet half of the Finns do not, according to data from the Swedish Transport Safety Agency.

“This applies to common sense: use reflexes for others in the traffic to see you,” says Camilla Fri-Bergstrom.

Cyclists and pedestrians can also find it difficult to see in an illuminated urban environment. Immense windows, shadows from shrubs and trees as well as various light sources can affect the field of view. Dirty windshields and bad lanterns can further aggravate the situation.

Since 2003, it has been mandatory by law to use reflexes also in an enlightened urban environment. In a new proposal for the Road Traffic Act, however, the reflex clause shines with its absence – something that caused the Swedish Transport Administration to shudder.

“The statutory code is also a guideline for media and education, private individuals and municipalities. Nobody has been disturbed by the rule for 35 years,” says CEO Anna-Liisa Tarvainen in a press release.

And even though the law recommends the use of reflexes, the one who does not avoid any penalties is met.

“Toothless,” says Ola Lindholm from the insurance company Lokaltapiola South Coast.

“If you are hit, it does not matter whether you wear reflex or not, when looking for potential substitutes. Circumstances determine: has the person gone on the right side of the road? Everyone must follow the rules in that regard,” says Ola Lindholm, whoever goes on the wrong side of the road may have been involved and caused the accident.

Fortunately, such accidents are relatively few and point out that generalizing rules are difficult to give when nothing is black and white.

Ola Lindholm himself thinks that a single reflex is not worth much – here is the reflective vest that applies.

It is quite lean with a reflex that dangles at knee height when moving on a dark road.

Winter biker, here are easy tips for safe riding

Cycling is the best utility exercise, an ecological choice, and often, especially in cities, the fastest way to get from one place to another instead of standing in a traffic jam. So why take a running game into storage for the winter?

“You don’t have to do that,” says Aki Tyynelä, the store manager of Lahti Bicycle Maintenance.

With the right framework and attitude, cycling is a success all year long. Peaceful lists a few practical tips to make winter biking fun.

1. Pins Below!

When the thermometer drops to zero or the front side, it is advisable to replace the studs with tires that increase traction on ice and snow. Even tread grips will improve when a little air is released.

The bike is equipped with stud tires and more than a hundred.

“Tires can withstand many winters. If you drive a lot, they will pay off,” says Tyynelä.

2. Make sure you wear regular clothing – layering works best

Layered clothing helps to keep heat inside as well as moisture and the latter outside.

It is especially important to keep your hands warm. Wind gloves protect your hands from the worst wind.

3. The right helmet will always protect you

Statistics show that cycling in winter is no more dangerous than in summer. However, only a cycling helmet can protect your head no matter what the season.

4. Appear in the dark

The bicycle must by law, have light permanently attached to the bicycle. The front light must be light. The light should not be too bright, but not too dim.

Flashing light is not prohibited by law but is not recommended because flashing light usually indicates a hazard, not an oncoming vehicle.

The rear light is not mandatory, but the red light on the back significantly improves visibility.

Good reflectors ensure motorists can detect the cyclist.

Pedal reflectors are not mandatory, but the bike must have side reflectors or reflective tires. Also, the cyclist should wear reflective clothing, like reflective vest sew on reflective tape or reflective jacket to improve your visibility in the night. This way the cyclist can be seen well when crossing the road.

Adding arrow to cyclists’ vests reduced number of crashes

Cyclists who are concerned about their safety should don a specially designed high-visibility vest with an arrow to help stay safe on the road, according to new research from UBC Okanagan.

Gordon Lovegrove, an associate professor in the engineering department, and collaborator Takuro Shoji say they were interested to see if communication was more important than visual aids when it comes to bike safety. They added an arrow to a reflective vest to convey a message to Drivers: move over.

Their study, published in the journal Sustainability, claims to be the first paper in the world to study the role communication aids can play to help vulnerable road users.

Researchers gave cyclists high-visibility vests with different designs, as well as no vests, and discovered that a vest with an arrow design pointing left was the most effective.

The study discovered that the arrow vest with reflective tape design reduced the number of traffic accidents between cyclists and drivers.

“Vehicles passing VRU test subjects wearing the arrow vest design showed more respect, and participants’ perceptions generally agreed,” the study reads.

Part of their research, Lovegrove says, was fuelled by an interest in examining whether the advice of “Be safe, be seen” actually helped cyclists.

He notes that bikers are recommended to have front and rear lights, reflectors and brightly-colored reflective clothing, but it doesn’t just help.

“While overall detectability on the road is critical, evidence suggests that current conspicuity aids cannot provide safety in their current form,” And a more optimal design is needed.”

The researchers call the results “promising,” but add that they used a relatively small sample size, and additional work is required to further test their findings.

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.

Cyclists’ high-visibility jackets “increase odds of crashes”?

High visibility clothing may increase the chances cyclists have an accident rather than keeping them safer, research has suggested.

A study of 76 accidents by academics found “no evidence” that those who wore reflective clothing “were at reduced risk”.

Jesse Norman, the transport minister, last week said a government consultation in the new year would look at whether cyclists should be forced to wear helmets and high-visibility vests.

But research from the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottingham University found “increased odds of a collision crash” among cyclists in reflective clothing, the Sunday Times reported.

The study suggested riders wearing the safety clothing “may have adopted more exposed road positions in the belief that they were relatively conspicuous”.

The results “should be treated with caution” however, as it based only on a small group of volunteers, researchers said.

Other research has reached the opposite conclusion.

A larger study in Denmark of nearly 7,000 cyclists found they had 47 percent fewer accidents causing injuries if a bright yellow jacket was worn.

Cycling campaigners have also warned against making helmets compulsory, insisting that accident statistics do not back up the case.

They argue that the safety equipment can give both cyclists and drivers a false sense of security, while the issue detracts from bigger threats like careless drivers and dangerously pot-holed roads.

More than 100 cyclists killed on British roads last year, latest figures show. A further 3,397 seriously injured, a five percent increase in 12 months.