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Be visible! Wear reflections!

In the current school year, students of the Primary School St. Francis of Assisi in Łabowa took part in the 10th edition of the “Reflective School” Małopolska Competition. For the eighth time, the school in Łabowa participated in this competition.

All activities related to the competition were intended to make them aware of the need to know the rules of the road, to comply with them consistently and to increase road safety by the obligation to wear reflective vest elements.

Once again, a “Reflective Procession of Preschoolers” took place. Children wearing reflective vests and carrying banners visited institutions operating in the Łabowa commune. They met with the commune head and gave her a reflection. Colorful reflections also received by the head of the GZOJ, employees of Bank Spółdzielczy, employees of the pharmacy and the school management in Łabowa. The children also gave reflections to the pedestrians they met.

As part of the activities there was also a “Reflective disco for preschoolers”, during which, in addition to fun and dancing to music, a fashion show was held. The children presented their reflective outfit made in cooperation with their parents presenting it on the catwalk – a pedestrian crossing.

The “reflective appeal” was the next point promoting wearing reflectors. Students danced “Belgian” and later the whole school community danced “A ram alone”. The results of the art competition were also announced. On this day, children and teachers walked around the school wearing reflective vests, reminding the entire school community of this important duty for every pedestrian on the road. On this day there was also a teaching council where everyone was wearing reflective vests with reflective fabrics.

In each classroom, there are newspapers on the walls that promote the theme of being visible on the road and the need to wear reflectors for your safety.

Once again, students conducted a rosary service at the church, which, as part of extracurricular activities, prepared reflection on the mysteries of the rosary, drawing the attention of the faithful to the problem of road safety and praying for the human life of road users, for victims of road accidents, especially for children dying on the roads. Also, every adult got a reflector.

As part of the competition, a meeting was held with police officers combined with a lecture on the subject of “Safe participation of children and adults in road traffic”.

We ended the action with a meeting with seniors. There was a demonstration of pre-medical first aid that ended with the joint implementation of reflective vests with preschoolers.

Reflective Materials Market by Key Players, Application and geography

Reflective materials, manufactured from different optical quality glass beads measuring three fourth the size of human hair, are packed together densely and coated with aluminum. The process transforms each glass bead into a convex mirror. Light hitting the glass bead is reflected towards the source, unlike in a normal flat mirror where the reflection is only on the opposite side of the image. Therefore, a mirror build with reflective glass beads displays the image on every side.

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Typically, reflective materials are made by leveraging micro prismatic technology or glass bead technology. The glass beads technology mostly finds application in the textile industry since it is flexible and easy to store. The technology uses millions of high-performance glass beads that reflect light effectively in all directions because of their spherical shape. The micro prismatic technology, on the other hand, consists of retro-reflective microscopic prisms formed on a polymeric film. They help to produce a bright reflective appearance on accessories and garments.

Spurring demand for reflective materials is the growing demand from end-use industries such as construction for materials having high visibility. Such materials offer greater visibility and hence safety in low light conditions resulting from fog, snow, and darkness after nightfall. Fabric made of reflective materials also finds use in safety and traffic management.

Despite solid demand from different sectors, the market currently has to contend with a few headwinds resulting from the supply and demand gap and fluctuating prices of raw materials. However, the market is still anticipated to grow on the back of the rising usage of reflective materials in manufacturing solar panels, windows, architectural glasses, and various apparels, namely sportswear, shirts, shoes, vests, fashion, jackets, belts, armbands, signs, safety vests, backpacks, badges, belts, and raincoats.

Product-wise, the key segments of the global market for reflective materials are reflective coating, reflective sheet, reflective film, reflective tape, reflective fabrics, reflective inks, etc. At present, the segment of reflective coatings is seeing maximum demand in the market due to their widespread usage in the textile industry, where flame retardant reflective apparels are much in demand.

End-use industries pushing up demand for reflective materials are textile, construction, automotive, etc. Among them, the construction industry is a major growth driver. Demand for reflectors, display panels, and lightening lenses drives the market.

Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa are some of the key geographic segments in the global reflective materials market. The Asia Pacific, of them, is a leading region which is being driven mainly by India and China. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are also fast emerging as prominent regions because of the surging demand for reflective materials from construction, automotive, and textile industries.

The global market for reflective material is characterized by stiff competition because of the presence of quite a few local companies in the market. To surge ahead of rivals in such a competitive environment, savvy players are seen focusing on leveraging the latest technologies to facilitate product development. In this manner, they are hoping to improve sales and therefore up their profit margins.

Half of the pedestrians die from accidents at night

Pedestrians and cyclists are the most vulnerable on the road. Last year 112 died in accidents, 65 of them at night. Drivers usually admit that they have not seen them at all. Bright clothing and reflective tapes greatly increase visibility and can save lives. In stores, however, want those that meet the standards and at night you will not betray the road

Last year 65 people died on the roads at night. Dark clothes without significant reflective elements and, also, the seasons of darkening faster are one of the greatest dangers in road traffic.

“We can increase the visibility in traffic on pedestrian roads as well as cyclists or motorcyclists by suitably colored clothes and accessories made of fluorescent and mainly reflective materials. We should always do everything possible to be as visible as possible,” Martin Farář from BESIP appeals.

It does not have to be a reflective vest, which discourages many pedestrians as an accessory to clothing. “A reflective tape is enough. Ideally around the ankle and wrist, always on the roadside,” adds Farář.

“We found it better to move the light area,” says Robert Šťastný of the ŠKODA Road Safety Research Team. “Reflective elements are better to have on the limbs we move than on the body or backpack,” he adds.

However, not all tapes and patches are of sufficient quality and will provide pedestrians on the road at night with the services expected of them. The parish priest pointed out that there were products on our market that did not have the necessary properties. When purchasing, it must be ensured that the retro-reflective materials are labeled by European standards.

White clothing driver records from 55 meters

How does the color of clothing affect the visibility of pedestrians and cyclists? The man in the blue driver records up to a distance of 18 meters, the red-dressed increases this distance to 24 meters. If a pedestrian or cyclist dresses in yellow, the driver can see it from 37 meters and the white clothing can be seen from 55 meters.

But even such a distance may not be enough. If a car is traveling at a speed of 75 kilometers per hour and although the driver is bright, it takes about 1.5 seconds to respond to pedestrians or cyclists. During that time he will travel another 31 meters and he has only 24 meters left to avoid a collision.

Fluorescent materials increase the contrast of pedestrians or cyclists to the background and extend the distance the driver can notice. But they only increase visibility during the day and at dusk, losing their function in the dark. Reflective tapes and patches are visible to the driver from a distance of 200 meters and the driver has enough time to react.

“The principle of seeing and being seen still applies. All road users must ensure their safety. In the case of drivers, this may include the use of a mandatory safety vest in the event of an incident and subsequent movement on the road. The seeming little thing that can decide on pedestrian health in low visibility is a suitable reflective accessory to clothing,” confirms Tomáš Lerch, Director of Traffic Police.

“Glue” the kids and the bike

Children are the most vulnerable in road traffic. They must be as clear as possible on the road and sidewalk. Get them bright clothes with reflective fabrics, as well as briefcases and shoes.

Reflective elements are also necessary on the bike. The front white reflector, the red and orange rear reflectors on the pedals and the spokes are mandatory for cyclists. Reflective elements on boots, helmet and jersey or clothing provide increased safety. In fog or poor visibility, the front wheel must have a white headlamp and a steady red flashing light at the rear.

Police handing out reflective tape

The Russian roulette of “invisible” pedestrians traveling through unlit sections between villages has new rules. Since last weekend, an amendment to the Road Act imposes the obligation to wear reflective material elements outside the village.

Pedestrians are obliged to wear a reflective element if they move outside the village along the side of the road or at the edge of the road in a place not illuminated by public lighting, “states a press statement of the Ministry of Transport with the slogan that” range from zero to two thousand block, from 1500 to 2500 thousand in administrative proceedings. ” However, the Hradec police officers have not yet applied these sanctions.

“The law allows us to resolve the situation by agreement. We will respect this principle at the beginning of the amendment. However, people should be worried about their health instead of fines, “said the spokeswoman of Hradec police Lenka Burýšková. However, when the” defending period “ends, she did not want to anticipate.

“In our opinion, information is better than repression. Therefore, we will now focus mainly on alerting pedestrians that without reflective elements they are easily vulnerable to roads, “the spokeswoman added, adding that the most dangerous sections are located between the links of individual municipalities.

Five dead

The last fatal accident of an unmarked pedestrian occurred in mid-December in neighboring Rychnov.

“The driver on the stretch between Bílý Újezd and Podbřezí was most likely not able to react to a pedestrian who was walking in the middle of the road in the short distance. The driver did not manage to avoid the pedestrian, who was later driven over by another car. Unfortunately, after the clash of the 53-year-old pedestrian on the spot he succumbed to his injuries, “said a spokesman for Rychnov police officers Alena Kacálková.

Throughout 2015, there were 146 traffic accidents in the Hradec Králové Region, involving a collision of a vehicle and a pedestrian. When these 5 people died, 23 pedestrians were injured seriously and 110 lightly.

“The difference in the visibility of a pedestrian dressed in dark clothing, or the visibility of the reflective element used is up to ten times, but some pedestrians still walk invisible,” regional police spokesman Jan Cizkovsky told the daily.

A new road decree has been in force since the weekend, requiring pedestrians outside the village to wear reflective elements at night or in poor visibility. Police expect less news from the news to tragic accidents where a driver knocks down pedestrians. Last year there were five fatal crashes in the Hradec Králové region.

“If a pedestrian is moving outside the village in poor visibility on the shoulder or the edge of a roadway in a place not lit by public lighting, he shall wear retroreflective elements so as to be visible to other road users,” informs the police website that pedestrians and cyclists are the most vulnerable when on the road, so pedestrians, in particular, should ensure that they are well visible and clear enough to avoid motor vehicle drivers in time to avoid tragic clashes.

A series of tests have shown that when a pedestrian is in dark clothing, he is only 18 meters visible to the incoming driver, 55 meters in white clothing, and if his garment is accompanied by a reflective sign, he sees it driver at 200 meters, which is sufficient distance for safe maneuvering.

“Last year, we distributed pedestrians to a thousand reflective tapes,” said Hradec Bureau spokeswoman Lenka Buryskova, adding that this spring the police will give away two hundred reflective bags with reflective fabrics.

“These are intended primarily for the elderly,” spokeswoman Lenka Buryskova said, adding that police officers will not yet impose fines on people who are caught outside the village without a reflective sign.

First agreement

The police presidium agrees, ie to raise awareness before repression: “We see pedestrians using reflective materials on the street as beneficial. Traffic police patrol vehicles are currently equipped with reflective tapes and are directly issued by police officers to unmarked pedestrians. However, the amendment to the law does not mean that traffic police will start to massively penalize all unmarked pedestrians. Although pedestrians will be a misdemeanor, in these cases police officers will primarily approach the agreement, explanation, preventive action and the actual visibility of pedestrians with reflective tapes. By the end of 2016 we expect to distribute up to 250,000 reflective tapes in this way, “added Tomas Lerch, Director of the Traffic Police Service of the Police Presidium of the Czech Republic.

Reflective elements save lives and money for fines

Police officers can impose a fine of 2,000 crowns outside the village for pedestrians without reflective elements. For the time being, however, it has rather a preventive effect and has been distributing protective equipment to pedestrians and cyclists.

As of 20 February 2016, changes under the amendment to Act No. 361/2000 Coll., On-Road Traffic, came into effect. Pedestrians are newly obliged to wear reflective elements in poor visibility when traveling on roads outside the municipality. The police officer may impose a block fine of up to CZK 2,000 for breach of this obligation, or CZK 1,500 to 2,500 in administrative proceedings. Meanwhile, the police are distributing reflective tapes.

Don’t get into the stats!

In the period 2012 – 2015, 523 pedestrians died, of which 303 at night. Night accidents account for more than half of fatal pedestrian accidents. Outside the village, it is alarming at 79%.

Campaign for safe behavior

Since last autumn, BESIP has been drawing attention to new rules by the campaign “See you?” It aims to teach pedestrians to use reflective material elements. BESIP in cooperation with the Police of the Czech Republic handles 500,000 reflective tapes, 100,000 reflective bags with reflective fabrics for seniors and tens of thousands of reflective laces and pockets for young people.

More news in the traffic rules

The amendment also prohibits driving a vehicle with dirt, snow or icing in the view from the vehicle. A novelty is the introduction of the so-called bicycle street. Police officers can withdraw a vehicle registration certificate when a dangerous fault occurs. Segway vehicles in cities must not exceed walking speed.

How about a bee raincoat for children’s traffic safety?

Under the theme of “Protecting children from traffic accidents with fashion,” students at the Bunka Fashion College, a vocational school, created stylish “child safety clothes” that are easy for drivers to see. On the 5th, there was a final review meeting at the same school, and “honey bee raincoat” was selected as a Grand Prix from works using fluorescent fabrics and reflective tapes.

Fabric for work clothes transforms for children

Rainwear with the image of Sentai Heroes and vests for men and women combining denim and fluorescent fabrics. At the judging committee, 10 teams from first-year fashion engineering basic courses presented their work.

Clothes using reflective fabrics and fluorescent fabrics are called “high visibility safety clothes” and there are official standards for adults such as vests worn by road workers, but there are many color and design restrictions, It is difficult to apply for children.

From May this year, students took lectures and conducted market research to work on clothing design and production. A popular vote was held by visitors at the cultural festival last month, and the top 10 teams faced the judging.

Represent the bee stripe pattern with reflective material

In the review, 11 experts inside and outside the university, such as traffic safety education organizations and apparel officials, comprehensively evaluated points such as “I want to wear and I want to wear” in addition to safety and fashion.

Grand Prix raincoat designed bee color and shape. It is a conspicuous color of yellow and black. The waterproof cover on the back that can cover the school bag has an image of transparent wings and a flower on the bottom. Leader Momoka Kudo (19) said, “I wanted to make use of the features of bees, such as the roundness of the buttocks and stripes, in the design. It was difficult to sew the reflectors together.”

Commitment is the second year this year. The school was sponsored by the Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center, which promotes the spread of safety clothing.

Prevent children’s traffic accidents with safety clothes

Under the theme of “Protecting children from traffic accidents with fashion,” students at the Bunka Fashion College, a vocational school, created stylish “child safety clothes” that are easy to see for drivers. On the 5th, there was a final review meeting at the same school, and “honey bee raincoat” was selected as a Grand Prix from among works using fluorescent fabrics and reflective materials.

Rainwear with the image of Sentai Heroes and vests for men and women combining denim and fluorescent fabrics. Ten teams of first-year fashion engineering basic courses presented their work at the judging panel.

From May this year, students took lectures and conducted market research, and worked on clothing design and production. A popular vote was held by visitors at a cultural festival last month, and the top 10 teams faced the judging.

In the screening, eleven experts inside and outside the university, such as traffic safety education organizations and apparel-related experts, comprehensively evaluated the items that they wanted to wear and want to wear, in addition to safety and fashion.

The initiative is the second year this year. The school was sponsored by the Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center, which promotes the spread of safety clothing.

European Child Safety: Schools Start to Get Reflective Vests

Vest Propagation Project Launched by National Traffic Injury Prevention Program for Children and Youth.

49 metropolitan schools began to receive reflective vests for children of grades 1-3 from public activists and the Patrol Police within the framework of the project “Express Yourself”. The Vest Propagation Project was initiated by the National Traffic Injury Prevention Program for Children and Youth. Information partner of the national Glavcom program.

Activists say that reflective vests are needed for schoolchildren when they go to school outside school. By dressing the toddler in such bright vests, the babies become well visible to drivers, other road users and those who accompany them. This is especially important when moving along roads, or when crossing a carriageway, dangerous intersections, and so on.

Which general educational institutions will receive reflective vests, was selected by the patrol police of Ukraine together with school administrations and representatives of the Traffic Challenge. Among the selection criteria, there should be dangerous driving areas near these schools. Such a school is, in particular, the 266th comprehensive educational institution. Police and activists handed over to the school 1 set (30 pieces) of vests. “There is a very busy track near this school. There are many pedestrian crossings, but children still run straight across the street. Now, going for walks throughout the class, children will be able to be seen at a great distance thanks to these vests,” explains patrol police inspector Louise Sidelnikov.

According to her, there are also categories of schools that have very active administrations that actively teach children road safety.

The police say that the practice of vest distribution in Ukrainian schools has not been done so far. But wearing such reflectors is a pan-European practice.

“The traffic rules state that when a pedestrian is on the roadway or moving along the road in the dark, they must stand out, that is, have reflective elements on their outer clothing. Of course, we do not follow these rules,” Siedelnikova stresses.

Traffic Challenge chairman Olga Drobysheva says the problem is that people do not even understand the importance of wearing reflectors on clothing and vests.

“It is important for people to understand that this is saving lives. When we were little, we were not taught in schools or universities, or even in driving courses, how close we are as drivers to see a pedestrian without reflective materials in their clothes. For example, a person in dark clothing can be seen from a distance of 5 to 30 meters, depending on weather conditions. But 30 meters is a very short distance for the car to brake. Because the braking distance of the car is an average of 3 seconds. This is unless we have ice and a good dry road,” Drobysheva says.

Therefore, children should be dressed in bright colors. Then they are visible in the daytime under good weather conditions up to 100 meters away.

In many European countries, wearing reflective vests by adults in adverse weather conditions is a prerequisite for traffic regulations. And it is important to have reflective fabrics on clothing in, for example, Poland and the Baltic States. Their absence is punishable by fines.

Activists argue that such vests should be in all schools. The vests have already been handed over to most of the schools planned, and the vests will be in Chernihiv next week. Messages from teachers and parents from all over Ukraine began to arrive at us. They want to have these vests to send their children on excursions, school walks and more.

In total, 8,000 light-reflecting vests will be distributed in 10 oblasts of Ukraine within the framework of the “Manifest Yourself” project.

On autumn roads do not forget about reflective elements

To maintain road safety in the autumn, police recommend that pedestrians use reflective materials. On the social network, the Police Force of the Slovak Republic points out that a pedestrian walking along the side of a road should have these elements on the side of the body seen from the road, not on the side of the road. Reflective tapes are best placed close to the knees, belt level and shoulder, cyclists also on helmets and bicycles.

“In addition to wearing the helmet and reflective fabrics on clothing, cyclists should also ensure that the bicycle is properly illuminated and lights are positioned. In bad weather, ice and snow, it is advisable to use other means of transport,” police said.

The pitfalls in the autumn are waiting for drivers. “On a wet road, a car can become unmanageable. To do this, remove the foot from the throttle and depress the clutch. Align the steering wheel, hold it with both hands and not risk overtaking,” recommends the police.

If there is fog, the speed should be reduced and the distance between the vehicles increased. Drivers should turn on the fog lights. However, if they are standing in the column, it is enough for them to do so first and last in line not to blind other drivers.

If drivers are at risk of encountering game, don’t hesitate to avoid the obstacle at high speed. Police warn that the consequences of shear may be greater than the crash itself, especially when driving on a highway.

Cyclists, do not underestimate the reflective elements or helmet

The most common mistakes of cyclists include riding without lights and reflective elements or cycling outside the village without a helmet. According to police spokeswoman Denisa Balogh, driving in groups side by side or driving under the influence of alcohol is not exceptional either. What rules should cyclists follow during their journeys?

It is important, for example, to wear reflective vests, especially at night and in low visibility. “Reflective material can be seen at a distance three times longer than white clothing and more than ten times that of blue clothing. By using reflective elements, cyclists extend the distance over which the driver can see them,” the spokeswoman explains.

At the same time, Balogh recalls that children under the age of 10 can only ride a bicycle unattended on a cycling path, a dirt road, a forest road, or a residential area. Otherwise, they must be under the supervision of a person over 15 years of age who must also be sufficiently competent to supervise them. “When traveling with children, of course, there should be helmets, leg guards and reflective fabrics on clothing,” he adds.

The helmet must have children under 15 years in the village. Other cyclists are obliged to wear it only outside the village. It is important to ensure that cyclists only drive one behind the other on the side or on the edge of the road. “Two cyclists can only walk along the bicycle path, and only if they do not restrict and endanger other road users,” says Balogh.

At the same time, the police appealed to drivers to be considerate of cyclists. “We all know that in the case of a cyclist versus a car, the less protected participant always pulls the shorter end. Therefore, it is important that the driver of the motor vehicle anticipates what he can do if necessary and responds adequately,” Balogh points out.

“Maintain sufficient lateral distance from cyclists to prevent them, counting with caution, poor eyesight, and hearing, especially of older people. While driving, pay close attention to the right side of the road because of the most likely occurrence of cyclists,” he continues. At the same time, it points out that a right-hand driver is obliged to give priority to a straight-rider. This is not only for the tram driver.