reflective materials Archives

Throw the book at m-cyclists for not using bike lanes

Every day, when I drive to work from Kuala Lumpur to Shah Alam along the Federal Highway, I see motorcyclists speeding in car lanes.

They do not slow down when motorists are trying to change lanes. Instead, the motorcyclists will blare their horns or show an obscene gesture at the drivers.

Their action causes motorists to panic, especially when they have signaled their intention to change lanes.

I also notice that motorcyclists are riding on all sides of the Federal Highway. They take up the fast lane and even block motorists.

These motorcyclists have to be reprimanded and banned from the road if they don’t use the motorcycle lane.

I also noticed that they fail to wear reflective safety vests with reflective tape at night.

Most wear dark jackets without any reflective materials. There are motorcycles without rear brake lights that put motorists or lorry drivers in a difficult position since they are not visible.

I urge the authorities, especially the traffic police and Road Transport Department, to consider this matter seriously.

There is a lack of enforcement and the law governing motorcycle use on trunk roads and highways in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

Motorcyclists must use motorcycle lanes provided for them along the Federal Highway.

They must ride on the left side of the road only along trunk roads. Motorcyclists should only ride on the left side of the road in highways.

They must also ensure that the rear and front lights of their machines are functioning.

They should wear reflective safety vests and failure to conform should result in them being fined RM1,000 and handed one-year imprisonment, or both.

Alternatively, ban motorcyclists or suspend their license for two years.

Did you know that the reflexes also go out of date?

Autumn means that it is dark in the early morning and evening. Also, there can be extra demanding driving conditions, with rain and wet roads that almost extinguish all light.

Under such conditions, it is of utmost importance that all pedestrians use reflexes.

Statistics from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration show that a third of pedestrian accidents occur in the dark. In the period 2005 to 2014, 40 percent of traffic accidents involving pedestrians occurred in the dark.

During the same period, statistics show that half of the pedestrians who died in road accidents did not use reflective vests.

It’s not just food that has the best before date. Reflections are also fresh and should be replaced more often than many people think. Bad reflexes can be dangerous to traffic, Tryg Forsikring believes.

“This is because you behave differently when you think you are protected from reflex. According to the road authorities, reflex has a life span of over three years. Reflections on children often get harsh momentum through play. And if you, as an adult, have the reflex in your pocket along with car keys, there is often so much scratching in the reflex that the effect deteriorates considerably. At our home we exchange reflexes every fall,” says Espen Opedal, manager of Tryg Forsikring.

Thursday, October 17 is National Reflection Day this year. The use of reflex reduces the risk of being hit in the dark by 85 percent. Even if you see the car, it is difficult for the motorist to see you if you are walking in the dark without reflex. The little lifeguard is cheap life insurance.

“If you walk along the road in the dark without reflex, you are first visible to the motorist at a distance of 25 meters. With reflex, you will be seen at 140 meters distance, with a dipped beam. A driver at 50 km / h thus has ten seconds instead of two seconds to respond. It can be the difference between life and death. Therefore, you should spend 15 seconds wearing one or more reflexes before going out in the dark,” says Opal, in a press release.

How do you check if the old reflex still works properly?

“All worn reflectors have a reduced effect, including integrated reflections in children’s and exercise clothes, which are often subject to wear through rough use, and which are washed frequently. To check if the reflex is still good, test in a dark room. Light the reflex with a flashlight and compare it with a new reflex. Those who reflect light poorly should be replaced,” says Opal.

Most accidents happen in cities when people cross the street. Lights from cars and shop windows compete for attention and make it difficult to see pedestrians without reflective materials.

Many people think that reflective tapes are not necessary when walking in areas with street lights. That’s wrong. When it is dark outside, it is difficult for the motorist to see you, even in street lighting. If it also rains, it is even harder to see you along the way.

Surveys conducted by Trygg Trafikk show that only 4 out of 10 adults use reflex. The worst adults are over 30 years of age. The best are children.

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.

Planning to lay down a strategy for the next few years? Our report can help shape your plan better.

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.

In particular, pedestrians and cyclists risk death because they are not visible

The early arrival of darkness combined with drizzle, rain or even fog is not a very pleasant experience behind the wheel. Also, an unlit pedestrian or cyclist in a place where it cannot be expected is suddenly turned into real trouble. Many pedestrians risk their lives only for convenience.

There are serious road accidents every day on the roads. Many of them are caused by poor visibility. In low visibility, they are the most vulnerable pedestrians. Drivers who hurt pedestrians or cyclists agree that they have not seen him at all or too late. Cars and motorcycles, as well as cyclists, must shine, pedestrians are not required to do so. For greater safety, pedestrians should use primarily reflective materials, which make them visible well in advance and others can respond to them in time.

Abroad, reflective elements have saved many lives

Foreign experience shows that reflective elements can reduce pedestrian participation in a fatal accident by up to ten times in poor visibility. In other words, 10% of pedestrians would have a chance to survive, and this percentage is even higher for cyclists – up to 30% of cyclists could live if they were sufficiently visible. That is why pedestrians and cyclists must use reflective vests or other reflective elements that increase road safety.

A series of tests have shown that if a person wearing dark, such as blue clothes is on the road, the driver can record it at a distance of 18 meters. It is better, for example, with the yellow color of the clothes, when the pedestrian is recorded at a distance of 37 meters, in white the driver can see it at 55 meters. But even this distance is not sufficient at night to safely avoid pedestrians. Pedestrians should therefore always have an element on their clothing that would make them more visible. For example, fluorescent materials are available – they increase visibility in daylight and dusk but lose their function in the dark. The most commonly used colors are bright yellow, green and orange. It is preferable to use reflective materials – they reflect light in a narrow cone to the source, up to a distance of about 200 meters. They significantly increase visibility in the dark and in reduced visibility. Reflective material is visible at night 3 times greater than white clothing and more than 10 times greater than blue clothing.

It is best to place objects made of reflective materials at the end of the sleeves, close to the knees and at the waist level (cyclists also wear helmets and bikes, for example). Children can then get clothes that are already equipped with elements of reflective materials, as well as already equipped school bags. When the driver does not see, nothing can be done.

At a speed of 75 km / h, the driver needs at least 1.5 seconds to realize the danger and react accordingly – in that time he has traveled 31 meters. And before he starts his evasive maneuver, he walks more than 150 meters away from seeing a pedestrian. Then he needs more time to complete the maneuver and to cover more meters. For this quite simple task, which happens on the roads countless daily, the driver needs about 200 meters. And at such a distance, a pedestrian can only see if he is wearing reflective accessories.

This is a basic safety requirement that a pedestrian should meet. On the other hand, the driver should also follow a simple rule of thumb – driving only fast enough to stop the vehicle at a distance it can see. We should keep in mind that at a speed of 100 km our car will travel 28 meters per second. Often the driver reacts for up to 2.5 seconds and then only brakes for 40 meters. This mathematical excursion is needed because we should realize that the afterglow of the dipped beam of a car is about sixty meters. This means that when the dipped beam is on, we can drive at a maximum of just over seventy kilometers per hour. At a speed of ninety kilometers, we have to count with a stopping distance of over seventy meters. Slightly more favorable is the situation where we can have the main beam on. Then we register pedestrians about 100 meters. If we pass by an oncoming vehicle in the dark and therefore switch from high beam to dipped beam, remember that the distance we are seeing is greatly reduced and the driving speed must be reduced accordingly. If it is not possible to illuminate the driving beam when driving, for example, we can use the beam of the vehicle ahead. It shows us what to expect on the road. We should never look into the lights of oncoming cars that can dazzle us. We follow the space on the right shoulder. By briefly flashing through the high beams, we can “touch” the way ahead. Without dazzling oncoming traffic, we can easily detect an obstacle in the dark.

Cyclists are obliged to have their bicycles properly equipped according to regulations. In poor visibility, the wheel shall be equipped with a headlamp illuminating the white front light and a steady or flashing red light at the rear. It also includes reflectors of the corresponding colors – white reflector at the front, red at the rear and orange on the pedals and the spokes. To increase safety, it is advisable to complete everything with at least reflective stripes on shoes and clothing, helmet and possibly on your bike.

How to increase visibility (pedestrians and cyclists)

Use reflective and fluorescent materials and combine them to see well in both light and dark. Reflective items are best placed at the end of the sleeves, close to the knees and at waist level (cyclists also wear helmets and bikes). Get clothes, school bags, and accessories with reflective and fluorescent safety features for your children. Reflective and fluorescent objects are not expensive. Various pendants, patches, iron-on elements, stickers, hand straps, etc. Not only cars are required to light up, but the cyclist is also required to have a headlight with white light illuminating forwards and a red or flashing red light. A flashing tail light can be seen up to 1000 meters. The driver can see the cyclist in time and adjust the speed to the situation.

Not seeing? You play with life

In 2009, 37 pedestrians died at night, some of them also because they were not visible. Prague children learn to wear reflective elements.

Maybe not much was missing, and Jan Vasa, ten, could also be the victim of the accident. As he recalls, more than a year ago, he almost hit a vehicle.

“Fortunately, nothing happened in the end,” says the boy from Újezd nad Lesy, who won the photographic competition We Want to Be Seen on Friday.

The task was to promote the use of reflective tapes on clothing. In 2009 alone, 127 people were killed in the Czech Republic in poor visibility, 480 were seriously injured and 3537 were slightly injured.

Parts of them may not have happened if these people were visible. In Prague, for example, all first-graders get reflective vests – and so do

they are a common standard in kindergartens. But with increasing age, the use of reflective elements is rapidly decreasing.

Anyone can have a small supplement

“Today it is fashionable to walk a lot in black, gray and other colors that are not very visible. Yet it can ‘be seen’ to save lives in confusing places. Some small accessory will not hurt anyone,” said Jarmila Johnová from the Prague Mother Association. This together with the association Oživení and the Partnership Foundation organized the competition.

Many Prague schools took part in the event, besides Újezd from Kunratice or Slivenec.

“Children were tasked to photograph themselves, their classmates, teacher or family member posing or walking, riding a bicycle, skating or scooter. The condition was that each contest participant should have a reflective accessory in a visible place,” explained Petra Lukešova.

“We hope that the campaign will help make reflective materials on clothing, handbags or backpacks a matter of course, not only for children but also for adults, as is the case in many other European countries, such as Sweden or the Netherlands,” John concluded.

Sweden wants to have such a safe operation that by 2020 no one should die in operation.

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.

Dark clothing could also play a role in the tragedy

A tragic traffic accident in which two people’s lives died out, it moves emotions in a wide region. On the main road Kolín – Prague, close to the petrol station near Český Brod, a car crashed with two pedestrians. According to yet unconfirmed information was to be a married couple. The man was dead on the spot after the clash, and despite all the rescuers’ care, the woman eventually succumbed to her injuries.

This was confirmed by the spokesperson of the Central Bohemian emergency service Petra Effenbergerová. “The first person suffered injuries incompatible with life, unfortunately, the doctor could not but declare death. The rescuers tried to revive the other person for several tens of minutes, but despite all efforts, it was not possible,” the spokeswoman said.

Cologne firefighters also intervened on the spot, lighting up the scene of the hit, and together with the post-traumatic care team tried to provide psychological assistance to the driver of the car.

It was only during the night that the victims of the traffic accident were identified. “It was a sixty-three-year-old man and a fifty-five-year-old woman,” police spokeswoman Martina Fejfarova said.

The huge disaster in Český Brod has been the subject of many discussions. “It is a disaster on all sides, including the driver, who has been ruined all her life and yet the pedestrians may have had no chance to see in time,” Stanislav Soukup, for example, said.

According to him, he froze completely when he realized he was passing the gas station shortly before the fatal accident. “But it was still a little light,” he added.

It is around the visibility of pedestrians that a great debate has now begun among people. According to the unconfirmed information, both pedestrians who died at Český Brod should have been in dark clothing and without reflective elements or other signs that would make them more visible in the dark. The police, appeal once again to pedestrians and cyclists not to underestimate visibility.

The cause of many traffic accidents is the lack of visibility. Of course, pedestrians are the most vulnerable when visibility is reduced. Drivers who hurt pedestrians or cyclists agree that they have not seen him at all or too late. Cars and motorcycles, as well as cyclists, are obliged to light, pedestrians are not obliged to do so. For their safety, pedestrians and cyclists should use reflective materials. It is recommended for motorcyclists. “It also happened to me that I was glad to avoid an unlit cyclist. And when I called him out of the window where he got the light, he was still screaming at me,” one of the drivers described his unpleasant experience.

According to another addressed driver, the worst pedestrians are in dark clothes. “And today’s youngsters will throw their hoods over their heads so that the driver will never see them at all. Such a teenager went to the crossing the other day without looking around and wearing headphones. And would anyone wonder if I knocked him off?” She said emphatically, saying that it had happened in the city, where there were street lights and fifty. The tragedy near Brod occurred outside the village – on the first-class road.

Reflective tape can save your life

A series of tests have shown that when a person is in dark, blue clothing, the driver can record it at a distance of 18 meters. It is better, for example, with the yellow color of the clothes, when the pedestrian is recorded at a distance of 37 meters, in white the driver can see it at 55 meters. But even this distance is not sufficient at night to safely avoid pedestrians. Pedestrians should therefore always have an element on their clothing that would make them more visible.

Fluorescent materials increase visibility in daylight and dusk but lose their function in the dark. It is preferable to use reflective materials – they reflect light in a narrow cone to the source, up to a distance of about 200 meters. They significantly increase visibility in the dark and in reduced visibility. Reflective material is visible at night 3 times greater than white clothing and more than 10 times greater than blue clothing.

It is best to place objects made of reflective materials at the end of the sleeves, close to the knees and at the waist level (cyclists also wear helmets and reflective vests ). Children can then get clothes that are already equipped with elements of reflective materials, as well as already equipped school bags.

Seeing and being seen in road traffic is essential!

By using reflective elements we can avoid injuries caused by traffic accidents and, above all, reduce the number of traffic accidents that occur due to poor visibility. Currently, with the coming autumn and wintertime due to bad weather, which is associated with hazy haze, especially in the morning and night hours, there is a significantly higher visibility reduction.

Seeing and being seen is the basis of road safety. Reduced visibility, where a road user does not identify vehicles, people, animals or even road objects from dusk to dawn, fog, snow or heavy rain, is the point at the time of traffic accidents with often tragic health and life consequences.

On the road, the most vulnerable are non-motorized road users, pedestrians, and cyclists. Pedestrians, in particular, should ensure that they are well visible at a sufficient distance so that vehicle drivers can avoid them in good time.

Colorful clothing with reflective fabric and reflective elements!

It is proven that if a person wearing dark clothes is on the road, the driver can detect it at a distance of 18 meters.

It is better with the yellow color of the garment, when the pedestrian is seen at a distance of 37 meters, white clothing the driver registers at 55 meters. It should be noted that even this distance is not sufficient at night to safely avoid pedestrians. For these reasons, pedestrians should always have an element on their clothing that would make them more visible. For example, fluorescent materials are available – they increase visibility in daylight and dusk, but lose their function in the dark. The most commonly used colors are bright yellow, green and orange. It is preferable to use reflective materials – they reflect light in a narrow cone to the source, up to a distance of about 200 meters. They significantly increase visibility in the dark and in reduced visibility. Reflective material is visible at night 3 times greater distance than white clothing and more than 10 times greater distance compared to dark blue clothing.

It is best to place objects made of reflective materials close to the knees, at the ends of the sleeves and the waist level. If we have only one reflective tape, it is very important to always put it on the side facing the road and not to have it somewhere under clothing but visible from all sides. Children can then get clothes that are already equipped with elements of reflective materials, as well as already equipped school bags. Reflective strips are also recommended to be placed on a bicycle, prams, wheelchair or walking stick.

Keep in mind that at 75 km / h, the driver needs at least 1.5 seconds to realize the danger and react appropriately – in that time he has traveled 31 meters. And before starting his avoidance maneuver, more than 150 meters. The driver needs approximately 200 meters for this quite simple task, which happens on the roads countlessly every day, and it is precisely this distance that a pedestrian can see only if he is wearing reflective accessories.

The Best Safety Vest for 2019

Also called reflective vests, the best safety vests are commonly found in the police force and fire departments. You can also see them being used and worn by construction workers. However, take note that no matter what type of job you do, a high- quality safety vest contributes a lot to keep you safe in the work environment.

If you are part of the construction industry, for instance, then a reliable construction safety vest can help protect you from harm regardless of how active your job is at times. Note that pressing deadlines in this industry might cause you to become too active, making you more prone or vulnerable to accidents.

best safety vest

With the aid of a good safety or reflective vest with pockets, you can alert those around you about your presence. While wearing the safety vest alone can’t completely prevent accidents, your use of its reflective materials helps ensure that those around you will not be too careless when maneuvering or working with you around.

To ensure that you will be able to take full advantage of a high-quality and heavy-duty safety vest, make sure to choose on that adheres to the regulations and standards set by the ANSI and OSHA. The color should also be distinct or unique from other items that you can find within the workplace.

Make sure to choose a safety vest after considering your specific working environment. To find out more about safety vests, here are twelve choices that are known for their appropriateness and suitability to various work conditions that require a much-enhanced safety.

School bus safety reminders for students and drivers

Just two weeks into the new school year, police say they’re getting complaints from Southwest Florida drivers about dangerous situations at school bus stops.

Cape Coral Police remind drivers and parents that many students are now distracted by devices in ways they didn’t experience as children. They are urging parents to please talk to their children about the importance of being aware of their surroundings.

Police offer these safety tips at bus stops.

Children:

Keep an eye on traffic.

Do not sit in the roadway. Drivers might not see you

Do not play running games or push and shove at the bus stop. It is dangerous near traffic.

Make sure you stand at least 10 feet from the road while waiting for the bus so you are away from traffic.

If your bus stop is on a corner of another person’s property, be courteous and never leave litter behind.

Use reflective materials. There are backpacks and clothing with reflective fabric sewn into it.

If they are going to wear headphones, only use one so they can hear traffic.

Drivers:

Always look for children walking to bus stops or at bus stops.

When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.

Slow down. Watch for children walking in the street, especially if there are no sidewalks in the neighborhood.

Do not text, check your email or put makeup on while driving.

Watch for children playing and congregating near bus stops.

Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

Learn and obey the school bus laws as well as the “flashing signal light system” that school bus drivers use to alert motorists of pending actions:

Yellow flashing lights indicate the bus is preparing to stop to load or unload children. Motorists should slow down and prepare to stop their vehicles.

Red flashing lights and extended stop arms indicate the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Motorists must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended stop-arm is withdrawn, and the bus begins moving before they can start driving again.