Tag: reflective material

Let’s drive carefully

Snowfall, which accompanies us in the last few hours, makes it difficult to drive a car. It is very slippery on roads, and the weather forecasts for the coming days do not fill us with optimism.

Remember to adjust the speed of the car to the conditions on the road! It is the maladjustment of speed to the conditions prevailing on the road that is the reason for the formation of the largest number of serious traffic incidents.

Slippery road surface significantly extends the section on which the vehicle will stop. It is worth remembering that at a speed of 50km / h, the car travels about 14 meters within 1 second. The stopping distance at this speed on a dry surface is 26 meters, on a wet road 30 and on a slippery road 46 meters. However, at a speed of 90km / h within 1 second the car travels a distance of 25 meters. The stopping distance at this speed on a dry surface is 70 meters, wet on 90 meters and slippery 140 meters.

Faster collapsing darkness also adversely affects the comfort and safety of traveling and our psychophysics fitness. On an unlit road, drivers mainly see strong lights of vehicles approaching from the opposite direction and horizontal signs painted on the road.

The silhouettes of pedestrians and cyclists are noticed at the last moment, usually at a distance of 30-40 meters. In bad weather, visibility gets worse. If the pedestrian is equipped with a reflective vest and reflective tape reflecting the lights of the car, the driver will notice it already from a distance of 130 – 150 meters, which are about 5 times before! It can save a living life! Unprotected road users are often under the illusion that if they see an oncoming vehicle, then the driver sees them. This is a mistake, the consequences of which can be tragic.

All this speaks to the widespread use of reflective materials on the outer garments regardless of their age. Correctly worn reflections should be placed on the front and rear of the garment, in a way that allows them to be seen in the lights directing oncoming traffic from both directions. Every child traveling on the road should use the reflective elements, regardless of which part of the road is moving – the sidewalk, roadside or road.

The problem in the near future may be not only the aura or the technical condition of the car but also snow and ice lying on the body and panes. It happens that all windows are frosted, and the front is only cleared of snow, thanks to which the driver can see anything in front of him. Whatever, because his field of view is practically nil. The driver of such a vehicle is not able to see a pedestrian, even in full light, he does not see other vehicles well. Moves on feeling threatening all road users.

Often, when driving from such a car, pieces of ice or snowfall off, then fall on the vehicles behind it, causing damage to windows or forcing the drivers to brake hard. At higher speed, they can be a deadly threat. Police officers remind that in accordance with road traffic law, the vehicle participating in the traffic should be equipped and maintained so that the use of it does not jeopardize the safety of people driving it or other road users. It cannot violate the order of traffic on the road and expose anyone to damage. Using the vehicle in motion is also to provide a sufficient field of vision for the driver and easy, convenient and reliable handling of the steering, braking and signaling devices.

So let’s remember to take care of your own safety and other road users before you leave your car. Sometimes it takes just a few minutes to properly prepare the car for travel and ensure the same comfort and safety of driving, and even avoid tragedies on the road – police officers call.

Police officers appeal for careful driving

Variable weather with snow or rain does not make it easier to drive, especially in the morning and evening, when the temperature fluctuates around zero.

Sudden snowfall, a slippery surface or lack of driving skills in such conditions causes that there are numerous road accidents. Unfortunately, we do not have any influence on weather conditions, but by adhering to traffic rules, driving techniques, responsible behavior, and proper equipment of our vehicle, we can increase our safety.

With the change of weather, the roads are becoming more and more dangerous, not only for drivers but also for pedestrians. This is the time when the probability of road events increases several times. Deteriorating road conditions: the occurrence of fog, rainfall or snow, slippery surface and low temperature, significantly extend the braking distance, which with high traffic on our roads adversely affects the safety of road users.

Reason first and foremost

Remember that falling snow or snow with rain and frosts makes the road slippery. Drivers have to take into account that they will not be able to stop the vehicle immediately. The braking time of the car then increases significantly and it is not difficult to collide or offset. Each of us is a participant in the road traffic, only our roles change sometimes. It does not matter, however, whether we are traveling by car, by bike or walking, then remember that we are responsible for the safety of ourselves and other road users. Unfortunately, we do not have any influence on weather conditions, but by adhering to traffic rules, driving techniques, responsible behavior, and proper equipment of our vehicle, we can increase our safety. Let’s adjust the speed to the conditions on the road. Unfortunately, not everyone remembers that when the temperature is on the small plus or drops below zero, and on the road there is snow or rain or drizzle, the conditions on the road are extremely treacherous and you should drive slower, more cautiously and more wisely.

Let’s take care of our vehicles.

The better we take care of our vehicle before departure, the more our safety and other road users will improve. The driver should have an adequate field of view. Snow cleared, cleaned of ice and other dirt must be windows and mirrors. Also, external lighting and registration plates may be dirty and covered with snow. Also, the snow lying on the roof of the car or the cover of the engine compartment poses a real threat to us and other drivers, because it can slip on the windshield during braking or fall on the other car behind us.

It is also worth changing tires for winter, it will certainly affect our road safety. As the last days’ show, the first snowfalls have already appeared in our region and in many cases, winter tires seem to be an absolute necessity.

Let’s remember about reflective materials

A special appeal is also directed at pedestrians. Even if you are in front of a pedestrian crossing, make sure that the driver can slow down. Of course, the pedestrian takes precedence over the passage, but here the principle of limited trust is most applicable. Let us remind you that during the autumn and winter weather we are less visible. Pedestrians and cyclists should remember about their safety and take care to be visible. Road conditions suggest common, absolute use of reflective elements not only outside built-up areas and regardless of age. Every reflective element, regardless of whether it is a reflective vest, key ring or headband with reflective tapes, will make it easier to see the oncoming driver when moving on the road.

The driver remembers:

Thoroughly clean the vehicle from the snow before you leave the road, the snow should be removed not only from the windows but also from the roof, bonnet and from the front and rear lights, make sure that the windows are not fogged up and the visibility from inside the vehicle is not impeded.

Plan your trip, in case of bad weather conditions, leaves 10 minutes earlier. In the case of possible difficulties in traffic, this creates unnecessary stress and, as a consequence, may lead to aggression, remember that in the event of any precipitation, speed should be reduced, at low temperatures, the road surface freezes. Avoid sudden maneuvers and sharp braking, pay special attention to pedestrians who are less visible during this period.

Tips for the dark season

The summer is over, the road users now have to adjust to autumn fog, ground frost, snowfall, and correspondingly slippery roads. To get you safely through the dark season, the police advise:

See and be seen

As the days get shorter, accidents often occur due to poor vehicle lighting or because you, as a pedestrian or cyclist without reflective material, are not seen in time.

The modern automatic light system does not detect fog and bad weather. Switch on the dipped beam during the day as well. Make sure you have clean windows, good wiper blades and a sufficiently full water tank, so you always have the right view.

As a pedestrian or cyclist, wear bright, reflective clothing or reflective vest. As a cyclist, check whether your lighting works and whether the prescribed reflectors are mounted.

Do not overtake. Turn on the rear fog lamp only when visibility is less than 50 meters, so as not to dazzle the traffic behind. For visibility under 50 meters, the maximum permissible speed of 50 km / h is also outside built-up areas.

If you have not raised any winter tires yet, you endanger yourself and others. Anyone who is traveling on snow, ice or frosted tires with summer tires also risks fines, points and insurance cover. With snow and ice, the braking distance is four times longer. Drive very carefully and keep your distance, avoid abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.

Think of whisk and ice scraper. Before driving, clear the windows, lights, and roof from ice and snow so that you have unrestricted visibility and do not endanger the traffic behind.

There is a lot of danger in the winter pedestrian

Winter is not only for the driver but also for pedestrians, a much more challenging and dangerous period than the rest of the year. There is more darkness, pedestrians on the road are not visible, pavements and roads are often icy and slippery, which can cause accidents and unpleasant injuries.

“Pedestrians should not underestimate in particular the reflective vests that can in many cases prevent a serious traffic accident. Likewise, they must pay increased attention to road and pavement traffic, especially during the pre-Christmas hustle, “says Olga from TSK. So beware of the three major risks that winter brings with you.

In the dark, the driver does not see you.

Reflective materials are an important safety supplement not only for children. For all pedestrians outside the village, they are even obliged to move on the side or edge of the road in a place where there is no public lighting under reduced visibility. But wearing them will not spoil anything in the city. For the driver, the pedestrian in the glare of the wet road lights is very poorly visible and easily overlooked over the still stained glass.

Most suitable are reflective elements to mark the ends of the sleeves, the waist and the area between the ankles and knees. We should see from any angle. The range of reflective fabrics is really wide nowadays and can be made from reflective tapes, reflectors, reflective clothing, backpacks or stickers.

When traveling on the road, the pedestrian should definitely not rely only on the driver’s reaction. The braking distance of a car is prolonged in bad weather, so even if the pedestrian-driver notices in time, avoiding a tragic accident may no longer be in his power. As pedestrians, we should in our own interest, ensure safe movement through communication.

Let us recall two basic rules for crossing: a pedestrian is obliged to use a pedestrian crossing, subway or pedestrian whenever it is not more than 50 meters away, and in the case of a pedestrian crossing it must not enter the pedestrian crossing just before the arriving vehicle and at the same time does not take precedence over trams and vehicles driving with a lit blue beacon.

Where there is no possibility to walk along the pavement, they always go against the direction of the arriving vehicles and individually behind each other. However, this does not apply to an organized group of pedestrians who, according to traffic regulations, must move on the right side of the road.

Beware of your cell phone and headphones.

Many traffic accidents are caused by pedestrians being disturbed and not concentrating on events around them. Often they pay their attention to a cell phone or have headphones in their ears. This limits their two main senses to warn them of potential dangers – eyesight and hearing, and in short, thoughtlessly enters the road ahead of the passing vehicle.

Although we live in modern technology and listen to music, radio or watching social videos on a walk can shorten us for a long time, we should take care of our safety. Therefore, whenever we move on a road or at a crossing, but also on bicycle paths and other roads, it is important to pay full attention to traffic and not to use the mobile phone or the headphones.

How about advantage

Extremely cautious we should be pedestrians, especially pedestrians. The wet or snowy paint that is used on them is very slippery and the car behaves like it on ice.

“It is certainly not good to rely on the fact that the arriving car always stops safely and gives us the priority. In order to make sure that the incoming driver really registers, we should make eye contact with him, and then, after stopping completely, the road safely to go. It is also important to remember that pedestrian crossing has no priority over tram. It’s just the opposite, the tram always has priority, “says Olga.

Holidays have many dangers for children and adults

Summer holidays have started, which mainly children use for two months. However, in addition to the expected adventures, summer loves and welfare, many dangers, and injuries can be expected. This also applies to adults who go on vacation during these months, either alone or with their families.

As can be seen from the statistics of rescuers, firefighters or the police, there are a lot of injuries every year during summer holidays. Last July, the Central Bohemian rescuers recorded a total of 12,174 visits and in August 12,167, an increase of roughly one-fifth compared to other months.

Of course, the most threatened group is children. They are mostly inexperienced, they do not foresee what could happen and their injuries often occur within a second, but the consequences can be life-long. Therefore, they should learn to avoid risky situations. Injuries occur at home, outdoors and on roads.

The most common home injuries include burns with hot food, such as favorite grilling, drug poisoning or cleaning, electric shock or falling out of the window. A separate chapter is then a meeting with strangers. “Definitely the child should know that it should not open to unknown people and also not enter the elevator,” reminds police spokeswoman Monika.

Children’s traps are waiting outside even in gardens, playgrounds, and parks. For moving outdoors, it is worthwhile to observe certain principles, such as not touching syringes, old ammunition, walking on power lines and tracks, or collecting only known plants and fruits. “It is important for the children to know that they do not have to jump into the unknown water, because under the surface there may be stones. When riding a boat it is necessary to wear a life jacket with reflective material. In the storm, they must not be hiding under the tall trees, and they should never starve the unknown dogs, “warns the police spokesperson.

Holidays are also a time of trips, but parents should realize that a child can ride a bike alone on the roads for ten years. However, it is necessary to know the traffic regulations, signs, a properly fitted helmet on the head and the bike properly equipped. If it is driving on the road in the evening or in the dark, it is necessary to use reflective clothing with reflective fabric on it and lights. Different bags definitely do not belong to the handlebars, but to the carrier. Children should also be well aware of the rules of proper road crossing and of always being attached to the vehicle.

Maintains your professional clothes

Improper maintenance is a risk. For example, chemical protective clothing with reflective tape must be re-impregnated after each wash. “An extremely thin film of fluorinated carbon, vaporized on the fabric, gives the desired waterproof effect. When the garment is worn, this film can be damaged by mechanical actions. For effective rehabilitation, we add special chemicals at last rinse before drying the garment at temperatures of 130°C to 140°C. This step can only be performed by a professional, “says Christophe, technical director of France.

Unsuitable maintenance also reduces the reflective, antistatic and flame retardant characteristics of protective clothing. Dirt residues significantly reduce the signaling function of reflective clothing. With household detergents and softeners, antistatic workwear gradually loses its electrostatic discharge capacity.

“Washing in a domestic washing machine, drying on a clothesline, or even ironing is not suitable for protective clothing with reflective material,” says Christophe. For work clothes with rain protection (EN 343 standard), the small volume of a domestic washing machine damages the waterproof membrane incorporated in the clothes.

If the work clothing is soiled with solvents, paints, lacquers, oil, tar or chemicals, it can contaminate personal clothing. For this reason, it is strongly discouraged to wash work clothes and textiles for personal use. The power of a domestic washing machine is often insufficient to eliminate recalcitrant industrial fouling. The large washing tunnels of textile service providers are much better able to deal with the constraints of professional cleaning.

Finally, the cleaning of clothing is the first step, but it is far from sufficient to ensure the sustainability of their protective functions. In addition, each garment is controlled after each wash. If there are missing buttons, in the event of a faulty zipper, holes or insufficient thickness, the articles are repaired in the internal sewing workshop.

Slowly means safer!

One accident with a fatal outcome is the balance of the last few days on the roads. Because of the difficult driving conditions, the police are calling for caution.

“Deteriorating road conditions require more caution and increased concentration from drivers. Falling snow, slippery surface makes drivers take their feet off the gas. In these conditions, visibility is limited and the braking distance is significantly longer. ” says Sgt. Staff. Anna, spokeswoman for the police.

That is why it is so important to adjust the speed to the prevailing conditions and check the technical condition of your car before leaving. It is very important to take care of the appropriate field of view. Remember to clean your car’s windows and mirrors from snow, ice and other dirt.

Be especially careful on the road, especially after dark. Pedestrians are unprotected road users who, when adverse weather conditions become less visible to drivers.

Special police appeal also directs pedestrians not to go directly in front of the oncoming vehicle. Even at the pedestrian crossing, you must first make sure that the driver will manage to slow down.

Every pedestrian should also remember about his safety and take care to be visible. A reflective vest, keychain, headband or even a flashlight will make it easier to see the oncoming driver when moving on a poorly lit road.

“We remind you about the obligation to use reflective tapes by pedestrians traveling on roads outside built-up areas, but it is always worth having them with you. Using reflective materials improve visibility, and thus security,” says KPP spokesperson.

Only from Monday, December 17 to Friday, December 21, there were 21 collisions and one fatal accident on the roads. The police arrested 5 registration documents due to poor technical condition of vehicles, 1 for lack of technical tests and 4 due to the collision.

The non-adaptation of speed to road conditions, excessive speed, driving a car after alcohol, as well as reckless drivers are still the main causes of road collisions and accidents. Many of the drivers risk their health and, worst of all, their own lives and other road users: drivers, passengers, traveling with parents, children, and pedestrians. Overtaking in such conditions, passing, cornering can be very dangerous.

Drivers should remember to navigate the road with lights on and observe the speed limits, and when weather conditions are worse, to slow down according to the principle that slower means safer. Let us be extremely careful so that unnecessary tragedies do not occur.

24 years of Know How

Imagine that you are a student of industrial design and that as a project at the end of the course you present a product that seems to like. Imagine that a few years later you set up a company with your brother-in-law to make precisely that product. Imagine that after a few years that product is sold all over the world and that each year you invoice more than 150 million Euros and that your company has 1400 employees.

This is what happened to the Dutch designer Max Bahrenburg who since 1994 (just the year in which Neo2 is created) has not stopped working and improving a single product: The Bugaboo stroller. That has led to a non-stop when it comes to design; look for new materials, create new features, improve ergonomics, work the details… well for 24 years.

The latest contribution to the Bugaboo strollers comes hand in hand with the limited Stellar collection of the Bugaboo Fox. What is the novelty? It is the incorporation of reflective tapes to the stroller to make it more visible in the dark and safer.

Bugaboo Fox Stellar provides 360 degree night visibility up to 150 meters away thanks to the reflective material on all its rims and on the front and rear of the chassis. When the stroller is illuminated by a light source (like the headlights of a car), the reflective parts make the stroller shine in the dark.

“At Bugaboo, we are always innovating and looking for new ways to help families move with total freedom. We know that parents want to go outdoors and explore at any time of the day, without giving up their style. But they worry about being seen when they walk with their children at night or during the shortest days of the year. For this reason, the Bugaboo Fox Stellar and the Stellar Accessories Collection are designed to capture all eyes during the evening walks, “says Sites Sinner, Senior Product Developer.

Yes, you have noticed, Max Bahrenburg no longer designs directly, I imagine that billing 150 million Euros a year will have other fires to turn off.

The most vulnerable road users are schoolchildren

Returning pupils to school benches after the holidays cannot be done without the increased risk of traffic accidents, it can also be reduced by drivers.

Attention to pedestrian crossings: pedestrians do not have absolute priority, but the culprits are almost always marked by the car driver.

Parents should not forget about child restraint systems, small schoolchildren must always be fastened in car seats, even when driving at very short distances.

Even this year, the beginning of the school year cannot be without preventive and control actions aimed primarily at protecting children after their return from the holidays to the school benches. ŠKODA AUTO asks for the driver to respect the smallest road users and help reduce the risk of injuries by taking responsibility for them.

Annually, the first week of September will require pedestrian victims, including more children than the rest of the year. Statistics show that September is one of the months with the highest number of traffic accidents and the highest number of life-threatening victims. Between 2013 and 2017, the ninth month of the year has always been ranked among the saddest. For example, in September 2014 there were 7,770 traffic accidents, in which 76 road users were killed – absolutely the most of the year. Last September, according to statistics, Traffic Police reported an increase in the number of road accidents to a total of 8,930 incidents, in which a total of 43 people died. In many cases, these accidents could be avoided if pedestrians and drivers paid attention to the traffic situation and were aware of the risks they face.

The Police of the Czech Republic, prepare measures related to the first days of the new school year. Activities of patrols will concern children especially on their way to school. In addition to transitions, police officers will also focus on running around schools, adhering to the highest allowed speed on the part of drivers, and possible violations of rules by other road users. However, no repression can replace the prevention. Drivers should be aware that children returning from vacation still live in their “bubble” and can react illogically or in short. From this point of view, the group of the youngest pupils – predominantly pupils of the lowest grades of elementary schools – appears to be the riskiest. These children commit several fundamental mistakes that drivers should know about. They often overestimate their abilities and try to stand out in front of their friends forgotten about road traffic rules, even if they are theoretically controlled. Due to psychological immaturity, they cannot predict the traffic situation, especially they cannot estimate the speed of the arriving car. And many of them feel that drivers have to respect and give priority to them.

Many dangerous situations also occur at crossings where there is no absolute priority for pedestrians, but their rights are very strong. Children should pay particular attention to where they cannot look well when passing, for example, due to badly parked cars. This is especially true for younger schoolchildren and schoolgirls who are smaller than regular cars. Even older children, however, often do not have to see over trucks or larger SUVs. There are also transitions over multi-lane high-speed roads. Misfortune can also easily occur when one car stop and leaves the pedestrian, but another move on. Adults should put the kids at heart for the fact that the driver of the other car does not need to notice it. The safety of children on the way to school certainly will support clothing with reflective fabrics or reflective materials. These are now commonplace and are aesthetically embedded in shoes, jackets and school bags. Various reflective tapes or pendants are available for both the smallest and the teenagers. Their importance grows in proportion to how shorter days are.

Nowadays, many children do not go to school or do not travel by public transport, but they are imported by their parents by car. In this case, child seats cannot be forgotten. Experts from the ŠKODA road safety research team report that the child must be trapped in a restraint system even for short-distance transport. When using a child car seat in a car from the earliest age of the child, it can be assumed that the schoolboy’s age is already taking this precaution as a matter of course. For school children from the lowest classes, it is advisable to choose a seat with a fixed back. When using it and attaching the child to the safety belt, care must be taken to ensure that the belt is not near the neck or over the shoulder joint and surrounds the pelvis at the bottom. The safest placement of the child seat is in the rear seat behind the passenger but since 2006 it is permitted to transport the child in the seat and in the front seat. The rapid growth of a child’s figure at a later age results in the use of a separate seat in place of a compact child car seat. Thanks to it, the child is raised to a position where the safety belt will properly surround the body. As soon as a child reaches a height of 150cm or the body weight reaches 36kg, the seat is no longer mandatory. Then the baby is transported in the vehicle as an adult.

When buying a suitable car seat, it pays to check with the child how it fits and how it feels. Some patterns by specific shaping may not suit the child. They also do not have to fit into a particular car – especially the modern “seated” seats are very wide, in the narrower interiors of older cars they do not fit perfectly and lean on the door, which is not desirable. When placing a new baby car seat, it is worthwhile to observe the enclosed instructions. From the point of view of installation, the seat can be fastened by means of safety belts or special Isofix fastenings. In the case of Isofix, there is less risk of installing the seat.

“If you only have a seat with belts, do not worry. Just make sure that the straps are tightened and the seat is securely attached, “explains the expert and expert on prevention from the ŠKODA AUTO Safety Research Team Robert. If the seat is well attached, it cannot move almost with it. Better than choosing in a general supermarket or even an anonymous e-shop is buying in a specialized store or car showroom, where they offer a seat that suits the particular car. “Here the customer can professionally show how to place the car seat in the car. He is also confident that the manual will be in Czech and the product itself will be homologated, “adds Robert. The ŠKODA Original Equipment range currently offers a Kid fix XP II restraint system suitable for school children aged 15 to 36kg. This car seat is designed for all current models of ŠKODA – CITGO, FABIA, RAPID, OCTAVIA, KAROQ, KODIAK, and SUPERB.

Ten tips to travel safely this Christmas

During this Christmas, some 17 million trips are estimated. The objective, and most importantly, is that you arrive at your destination without any incident. The technical team of the firm TÜV Rhineland offers a series of tips to prevent accidents.

  1. Have everything in order. The first thing is to check all the documents of the vehicle, such as the driving license, the last ITV, the insurance or that the driving license has not expired.
  2. Check the vehicle. The car or motorcycle must be ready. A look at the levels, the pressure of the tires (and in passing a check that they are not worn) or check the status of the lights is more than advisable when putting on the road.
  3. Equip the car correctly. By law, you must wear at least one reflective vest with reflective tapes and two approved triangles of danger signageor other reflective materials in case of failure. A scraper for snow or ice and gloves is advisable if traveling to cold places.
  4. Plan the route. Knowing in advance the way of travel is the best way to not hesitate at a certain time. Choosing before leaving a specific place for a rest stop will avoid problems.
  5. Look at the state of the roads. With the apps or web pages that information in real time of the traffic situation, it will help us to avoid sections with retentions.
  6. Check the time. If we are going to move to the mountain or there is some snow warning, it is essential to wear winter or all-purpose chains or tires. It is advisable to travel during the day and not to let the fuel tank empty; A car charger for the car and a blanket are good tools.
  7. Respect safety regulations. Although it seems obvious, it never hurts to remember such basic rules as to respect the speed limits, the safety distance or to keep your eyes on the road.
  8. At the wheel, no alcohol or drugs. At this time of year, as in any other, when driving no alcohol or drugs.
  9. The five senses, at the wheel. 35% of accidents that occur in Spain are due to the driver’s inattention. During the journey, no mobile, smoking, configure the browser or other examples such as not turning to talk to children in the rear seats or find something in the glove compartment.
  10. Rest every two hours. Fatigue or drowsiness are not good companions. To make a stop of ten minutes every two hours is important, just as meals are light, especially if it coincides with nap time.