Tag: reflective material

From Saturday on the road with only reflective elements

This Saturday, February 20, will come into force an amendment to the Road Traffic Act, which introduces the obligation for pedestrians to wear a reflective element if they move outside the village by road in low visibility. Initially, the police will distribute reflective tapes.

The aim is primarily to prevent serious and fatal accidents caused by the fact that the pedestrian was not sufficiently visible on the road. Between 2012 and 2015, 523 pedestrians died on the roads, including 303 at night. Only last year, 72 people died and were not seen at night.

“A driver who meets pedestrians in black clothes at night has about 18 meters to respond adequately. At a speed of around 70 km / h, he has less than a second to perform the maneuver and avoid the crash,” says Tomas Neřold from the Ministry of Transport. “However, if a pedestrian is equipped with a reflective element, the distance over which the driver can recognize a pedestrian (reflective vest) increases up to 200 meters. This distance already gives him enough space to avoid pedestrians at these 70 km / h.”

The obligation to wear a reflective element applies from Saturday to pedestrians in those cases when it is moving outside the village in poor visibility (not only at night but also at dusk, fog, etc.) along the verge or at the edge of the road in a place not illuminated public lighting. “Of course, from safety, it is good to use reflective elements wherever there is a risk that the driver cannot safely recognize a pedestrian,” adds Neřold.

“You don’t have to wear a reflective vest, a high-quality retro-reflective material of a distinctive color (yellow, light green, orange, etc.) that is visible to other road users is enough. For example, a reflective tape placed on the leg or hand (ideally on both limbs) in the direction of the road is ideal,” says Neřold.

In the event of a breach of this obligation, there is a risk of a fine ranging from zero to CZK 2,000 blockwise, from CZK 1,500 to 2,500 in administrative proceedings. “Instead of imposing sanctions, however, police patrols will rather talk to people and give them reflective tapes and bags so that they do not break the law next time and move safely on the road,” adds Tomas Nerold.

The MF DNES test has verified that a pedestrian with a flashlight is best visible to the driver. Unfortunately, the flashlight is not a reflective element and does not comply with the law. Theoretically, a pedestrian can be fined for using it instead of reflective tape.

Reflective elements protect the life of pedestrians

Traffic police focused on pedestrians in the early morning and evening hours as part of Wednesday’s traffic safety event to see if they were sufficiently visible to drivers.

According to the head of Hradec Králové’s traffic police Karel Kotil, a total of 110 pedestrians were checked, of which only eight had no reflective elements. “But it was in illuminated sections,” he said, adding that one of the pedestrians from Bystricko handed over for administrative proceedings.

“They are pedestrians who know about the obligation to have reflective elements but don’t wear them when they don’t have to. So far we have distributed 1100 reflective tapes, 150 bags, 20 reflective braces for motorcyclists and 200 orange reflective vests for drivers. But reflective vests can also be used by cyclists and pedestrians, “Karel Kotil said.

Police also stopped a pedestrian in Hradec, who had headphones in his ears and did not respond to their challenge. “Headphones with loud music are a problem. The pedestrian then does not hear the approaching car, does not perceive what is happening in the area and easily becomes the victim of an accident, “warns Karel Kotil.

According to road safety experts, at night the driver will see pedestrians with a reflective element at a distance of two hundred meters. At 75 km / h, the driver needs at least 1.5 seconds to realize the danger and react. During that time it will travel 31 meters. And before he starts his own evasive maneuver, he walks more than 150 meters away from seeing a pedestrian. For this task, the driver needs approximately 200 meters, which is the distance a pedestrian with a reflective element will see. This implies that a person moving in dark clothes at night does not give much chance to safely avoid the maneuver. Therefore, not only cyclists have to be properly illuminated and marked at night at present, but also the pedestrians have to wear reflective material elements outside the village.

Although pedestrians do not have to have reflective elements in the city, the police appealed to all who walked along the sidewalk of Kasal’s sawmill in Jindrichuv Hradec in the morning, to urge them to wear reflective elements everywhere and to distribute them immediately. For example, Naďa Vaclavova had a flashlight with her, but in her bag. She explained that she did not walk much at night, but as a driver, she acknowledged that pedestrians should be well visible in the dark.

“The autumn and winter periods, when the day is getting shorter and driveability is getting worse, are extremely demanding for the driver’s attention. On slippery surfaces, it does not stop as fast as on dry roads. Pedestrians and cyclists should be aware of this and adhere to the principle of being seen,” said police spokeswoman Hana Millerova.

Her words were added by the head of the Hradec Kralové traffic police: “Drivers must expect that the weather conditions can change rapidly. Where they pass the nineties in the dry without problems, a sixty can be dangerous. It can freeze water from cars carrying verbal fish, it will also do wet mud.”

Reflective elements save lives

Any person who moves around the road should wear reflective vest elements. Pedestrian threats are highlighted by the campaign You Can Do It, which is implemented by the Lifebuoy Association.

It is no coincidence that at night the number of accidents related to a collision of a person is significantly higher than during the day. In normal visibility, the driver has more than ten seconds at speed to react to and avoid human movement. At night, reaction time is significantly reduced.

“When a vehicle is driving with high beams on, it will see pedestrians without reflectors at a maximum distance of 100 meters. If the vehicle is traveling at eighty kilometers per hour, the driver has less than five seconds to solve the situation. But if it only lights with the classical dipped beams, it sees pedestrians up to fifty meters away, which means that it has about two and a half seconds to respond,” says Lukáš Hutta from the Lifebuoy Association, which is the campaign You Can Do.

However, the driver must also take into account the braking distance. “If the driver is doing his job properly, he can respond in about one second, which means he’ll be twenty-two meters away. However, the stopping distance at eighty kilometers is another 32 meters, which can be a disaster. Also, we have to add that this braking distance is only valid on dry roads, on wet asphalt it is ten meters longer,” adds Hutta.

Thanks to reflective material elements you will be visible even from ten times greater distance

Nevertheless, any pedestrian moving near the road can minimize the risk of an accident. All he needs to do is place reflective elements on the moving body, ideally on his wrists, forearms, and ankles. “If a pedestrian is wearing reflective elements, the driver can see him up to three hundred meters in the dark with the main beam on. This roughly corresponds to the distance that pedestrians would see during the day,” says Veronika Krajsová, President of the Lifebuoy Association, which brings together rescue bodies and other institutions with which she develops and implements projects related to information, education and prevention in common risk and emergency areas. events.

Even with the dipped beam, the driver on the pedestrian with reflective tape elements reacts in time. He could see him at a distance of one hundred and fifty meters. “Reflective elements save lives. But one should not be confused with fluorescent elements. These are obvious at first glance, but unlike reflective elements, they do not reflect light, so they are not visible from such a great distance. However, if you have a white or yellow jacket, you are seeing more than in dark clothes. Nevertheless, a person moving around the road at night should wear several reflective elements, both in the city and in the village,” Krajsová adds.

The association implements the You Can Do It campaign in which it presents innovative instructional and analytical videos based on real traffic accidents. “In our project, we present the viewers with a unique combination of real shots of IRS units from interventions together with accident analysis and a preventive emotional message from the rescuers’ mouths. Thanks to the analytical part and statements of rescuers intervening at the scene of the event, we acquaint the viewer both with the course of the intervention and mainly with the reasons for the accident and especially with the specification of errors. Our goal is to make the viewer aware of the risks and, of course, we wish to minimize the number of traffic accidents with this project,” Krajsová concludes.

Reflective clothing elements save lives

More than one hundred pedestrians die on the roads every year. In the vast majority of cases, these are accidents at night or in poor visibility when the driver overlooks a pedestrian. Therefore, every person moving around the road should wear reflective material elements. Pedestrian hazards are highlighted by the ‘You Can Do It’ campaign run by the Lifebuoy Association.

It is no coincidence that at night the number of accidents related to a collision of a person is significantly higher than during the day. In normal visibility, the driver has more than ten seconds at speed to react to and avoid human movement. At night, reaction time is significantly reduced.

“When a vehicle is driving with high beams on, it will see pedestrians without reflectors at a maximum distance of 100 meters. If the vehicle is traveling at eighty kilometers per hour, the driver has less than five seconds to solve the situation. But if it only shines with the classic dipped beam, it sees pedestrians up to fifty meters away, which means that it has about two and a half seconds to react,” says Lukas Hutta from the Lifebuoy Association, which campaign ‘You Can Do It’.

However, the driver must also take into account the braking distance. “If the driver is doing his job properly, he can respond in about one second, which means he’ll be twenty-two meters away. However, the stopping distance at eighty kilometers is another 32 meters, which can be a disaster. Also, we have to add that this braking distance is only valid on dry roads, on wet asphalt it is ten meters longer,” adds Hutta.

Thanks to reflective elements you will be visible even from ten times greater distance.

Nevertheless, any pedestrian moving near the road can minimize the risk of an accident. All he needs to do is place reflective elements on the moving body, ideally on his wrists, forearms, and ankles. “If a pedestrian is wearing reflective tape elements, the driver can see him up to three hundred meters in the dark with the main beam on. This roughly corresponds to the distance that pedestrians would see during the day,” says Veronika Krajsová, President of the Lifebuoy Association, which brings together rescue bodies and other institutions with which she develops and implements projects related to information, education and prevention in common risk and emergency areas.

Even with the dipped beam, the driver on the pedestrian with reflective elements reacts in time. He could see him at a distance of one hundred and fifty meters. “Reflective elements save lives. But one should not be confused with fluorescent elements. These are obvious at first glance, but unlike reflective elements, they do not reflect light, so they are not visible from such a great distance. However, if you have a white or yellow jacket, you are seeing more than in dark clothes. Nevertheless, a person moving around the road at night should wear several reflective clothing elements, both in the city and in the village,” Krajsová adds.

The association implements a ‘You Can Do It’ campaign, featuring innovative instructional analytics videos based on real road accidents. “In our project, we present the viewers with a unique combination of real shots of IRS units from interventions together with accident analysis and a preventive emotional message from the rescuers’ mouths. Thanks to the analytical part and statements of rescuers intervening at the scene of the event, we acquaint the viewer both with the course of the intervention and mainly with the reasons for the accident and especially with the specification of errors. Our goal is to make the viewer aware of the risks and, of course, we wish to minimize the number of traffic accidents with this project,” Krajsová concludes.

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.

Pedestrians, watch out! Reflective elements are mandatory from Saturday 20 February

The long-awaited obligation to wear reflective elements under reduced visibility will come into effect this Saturday, February 20. Under the amendment to the Road Traffic Act, pedestrians will have to wear reflective elements in poor visibility when moving outside the village along the side of the road or at the edge of the roadway in a place not lit by public lighting.

Reflective elements will be mandatory for pedestrians not only at night but also at dusk or fog. Pedestrians will not have to wear reflective vests, a high-quality retro-reflective material of strong color ( yellow, light green), which will be visible to other road users, will suffice.

The Department of Transport recommends pedestrians to use a reflective strap on their feet or hands towards the road. Ideally, such a tape should appear on both limbs. These tapes can be found in sporting goods stores or classic supermarkets, their price is around 30 crowns.

The test of sister magazine Svet motoru proved that even with this cheap solution pedestrian is much better to see than not illuminated. The Ministry of Transport adds that while a pedestrian in black clothes can see the driver in the dark only 18 meters, using a reflective tape ment can recognize it to 200 meters. As a result, the chauffeur has more time to react to and avoid pedestrians.

The solution is also significant reflective elements that are part of the clothing (or backpack, bags). On the other hand, a flashlight or other light source is not enough from valid legislation.

Pedestrians who do not wear reflective elements outside the village in the dark are threatened with a fine of up to CZK 2,000 in block proceedings, while in administrative proceedings they will pay CZK 1,500 to CZK 2,500. However, police will be forgiving in the coming weeks and will focus on education rather than sanctions. In cooperation with BESIP, they will distribute reflective tapes and bags to guilty pedestrians free of charge.

Autumn is here. Do not forget the reflective elements!

The summer ended very quickly and there is a time of dry and gray days. The darkness is still sooner and so the amendment to Act No. 361/2000 Coll. on road traffic. It entered into force on February 20, 2016, and its goal is primarily to prevent serious and fatal accidents caused by the fact that the pedestrian was not sufficiently visible on the road. This is to ensure mandatory reflective elements, but still many pedestrians that move on unlit roads, unfortunately, ignored. Many people think that the car has lights to see the driver. And that means they see them, so nothing can happen to them.

That it is foolish to repeat every autumn all the media. But it’s still not enough. This is also proved by one very sad figure. In the first six months of this year alone, 233 people died on our roads. Autumn and winter are also likely to be signed on this issue in very bold and sad letters. What with this?

See and be seen

Remember that it is very important not only to see but to be seen! A driver who meets pedestrians in dark clothes in the dark has only about 18 meters to respond adequately. Put into practice, this means that at a speed of 70 km / h, which is 20 km / h slower than the maximum permitted speed outside the village, the driver has no responsibility for such a second. And during this time, pedestrians must notice and respond accordingly. Is it even possible? And what happens if a pedestrian has at least some reflective material? The driver is then able to register it at a distance of 200 meters and has enough time to react.

If you are wondering what a proper reflective element should look like, then it is difficult to advise on this. The law does not specify this in any way, and in our opinion, any reflective element is better than none. Of course, the ideal is a reflective vest, but we understand that you probably will not normally carry it. But it also works well with reflective straps that fit into every pocket and are available almost anywhere. You can “decorate” your children with iron-on reflective images(which made of reflective heat transfer vinyl) featuring their favorite characters. Remember that when you walk on a dark pavement without a sidewalk, always keep the reflective element on your hand or leg facing the road. The driver can thus see moving reflections from the lights better.

We have already seen on our roads that some pedestrians take a mobile phone with the flashlight on, using it instead of reflective elements. This may seem like a good idea, but the cell phone or flashlight itself cannot reflect the light coming from the headlight of the car but may disappear (as a weaker light source). Moreover, these elements are not visible from all sides.

Are you wondering if you are in danger of not using reflective elements? First of all, you are at least at risk of serious injury or, in the worst case, death. These are the most important reasons why to buy and use reflective tape for CZK 25 at least. If you happen to be caught by police officers, you will face a fine of up to CZK 2,000 in the block and CZK 1,500 to 2,500 in administrative proceedings.

Las Vegas couple designs upgraded safety vest for road workers, police

A Las Vegas couple is hoping to change the way construction workers dress on the job.

They invented a one-of-a-kind safety vest that could make it easier for drivers to spot road crews before it’s too late.

As the temperatures warm up, you’ve probably seen more orange cones and flashing signs, popping up on valley roads.

“We had prototypes we let constructors use them out on the road,” Megan Collins said.

Experts in the construction industry, Tom Mueller and Collins founded Solar LED Safety Products. They created a new type of vest to keep workers safe.

“It was a process of gluing and putting it on some material that we felt could create the idea that we wanted,” Collins said.

So after more than eight years, five prototypes and three patents, they settled on a final design.

“Just doing manufacturing is a whole new animal for us, so it’s been a lot of learning,” Collins said.

Their vest includes flashing lights, which can help drivers spot them faster, especially at night. Right now, the typical vest only has reflectors.

“So a regular vest requires light to hit the reflective tape and that doesn’t always happen right away,” Collins said. “So if somebody’s coming around a turn, they’re not going to see that reflective material until the light hits it.”

Their battery-operated safety vest is powered by the sun.

“It has four solar panels that recharge 16 lights that flash 60 times a minute for 48 hours,” Collins said. “They can be seen at 2800 feet at night.”

The final product is already in the hands of several valley agencies.

“LVCVA, we have some going out to the City of Las Vegas, NDOT is going to be trying out some,” Collins said.

NDOT spokesperson Tony Illia said they are always looking for ways to decrease work zone fatalities.

“They’re up roughly 2% nationwide, year by year – highway workers being killed in work zones,” he said. “They’re simply doing their jobs to provide for their families and make it home alive. That shouldn’t be too much to ask.”

Now, this Vegas couple hopes their invention will help turn those numbers around.

“If we can stop just 2%, 1%, that’s going to be good,” Mueller said. “The main thing is to take you home to your parents, your family, loved ones.”

Up next, they are working on some new styles including a shorter version, tailored for law enforcement.

“That will allow them to wear it and they can still access their belt, their gun, and everything,” Collins said. “Saving lives, that’s a passion of ours. We’re looking forward to making that awareness on the roadways.”

NDOT also wants to remind drivers speeding fines are doubled in work zones. National Work Zone Awareness Week is April 8-12.

The event is in its 20th year and is sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration.

NDOT also brings out a mobile truck with what’s called an impact continuator. Illia said it’s like a movable crash zone that works like a guard rail to protect workers.

Two dozen Nevada Department of Transportation employees has been killed in the line of duty since 1948. The most recent employee that died in the line of duty was Ron Raiche Jr., who was struck and killed by an inattentive driver on March 30, 2015, while repairing roadway cracking on Interstate 80 near Battle Mountain.

Hi-Vis Workwear ANSI Class 3 High Visibility Safety Jacket

The first option for the best high visibility rain gear that is worthwhile to invest in is the ANSI Class 3 WJ9012-2XL High Visibility Bomber Safety Jacket from New York Hi-Viz Workwear. It is a fantastic choice if you truly want to own a jacket designed to bolster your visibility and guarantee your safety.

It falls under the Class 3 type of visibility jackets and adheres to the rules and regulations set by ANSI when it comes to this protective equipment. That said, I am certain that it will not let down its users in terms of giving them protection. I am incredibly amazed at the 100 percent waterproof nature of the jacket, too.

Apart from its visible lime color, it also features reflective tape around two inches wide at the arms, back, and front portions. This further increases your level of visibility. Another amazing reason to love this waterproof reflective work jacket is its snap-off adjustable hood, which is made to be convenient to put on and adjust.

I am also very delighted with the presence of the molded adjustable cuffs in this hi-vis winter jacket with reflective material. Such cuffs feature easy-to-use hook and loop closures. I am also sure that you will be pleased to know that this jacket comes equipped with a few pockets. This will help you bring some important items with you without any hassle.

It comes with a clear ID pocket as well as a pocket intended for mobile devices, like a phablet. Furthermore, this highly protective jacket boasts of its high waterproof and breathability rating, making it great to incorporate into your safety gear collection.