Mandatory wearing of reflective elements?

Two hundred and a half thousand crowns may become more expensive for pedestrians in the evening on the road. If they do not have reflective elements outside the village in poor visibility, they risk a fine. The amendment seeks to reduce the number of people with cars.

Reflective clothing, belts, and bags were distributed yesterday by police officers in several places in Brno. Pedestrians and cyclists have been instructed to change the law to protect pedestrians on the road. Police will continue in preventive actions throughout the region. lupa-plus click to enlarge.

Reflective clothing, belts, and bags were distributed yesterday by police officers in several places in Brno. Pedestrians and cyclists have been instructed to change the law to protect pedestrians on the road. Police will continue in preventive actions throughout the region.

The police will focus on prevention rather than penalizing pedestrians in the first weeks of the amendment to the Road Traffic Act. “We are planning dozens of events in the region where we want to inform pedestrians about a new duty and give them items in a reflective design,” said police spokesman Pavel Svab.

The first reflective tapes, bags, and vests were distributed by police in Brno on Thursday. They stopped and informed about thirty people. “Few of them knew about the change of the law,” Swab noted. At the same time, he recommended wearing well-visible clothing accessories not only outside the towns but also in them.

Also in schools

The police action was also appreciated by Dagmar Šebelová, who received a reflective tape. “When a man in black goes on gray asphalt, he is hardly visible in the evening,” she said.

Not only police officers but also schools distribute information about the amendment in South Moravia. For example, in elementary school in Židlochovice in Brno, teachers are explaining new duties to pupils these days. “Many parents have not registered the change of the law at all,” said the director Jana Králová. She added that they had acquired visible elements for school events that would lend to pupils.

that changes the amendment to the pedestrian law

Pedestrians must wear reflective elements outside the village when walking on the shoulder or roadside in poor visibility

If they fail to comply with the law, they face a fine of up to two thousand crowns on the spot or a fine of fifteen hundred to two and a half thousand crowns in administrative proceedings

A pedestrian does not need to wear a reflective vest, it is enough to use accessories such as straps on the arm or reflective strips on clothes

The amendment to the Road Traffic Act came into effect on Saturday

The amendment requires pedestrians to use reflective elements when walking on the shoulder or the edge of a road outside the village. According to Besip, the visibility of the reflective material at night is two hundred meters, while a man wearing a blue suit is seen at approximately one-tenth of the distance. At a speed of ninety kilometers per hour, the braking distance of the car is about forty meters. “We welcome the fact that wearing reflective elements has become an obligation,” said Besip regional coordinator Pavel Cizek.

However, he said the amendment to the law is untouched. When a car collides with a pedestrian without reflective elements, it is the driver who is to blame for not adapting the speed to the road conditions. The insufficiently visible person at risk of a collision risks only a fine. “In practice, this means that I can never drive on the 90s on the county roads at night because I have to count on someone unlit on them,” Cizek said.

Tighter neighbors

An even stricter law has been in force in Slovakia since 2014. Pedestrians must wear reflective elements on the road regardless of whether they are in or outside the village. “In the beginning, people complained, but now they have no problem with it,” said Cizek.

Efforts to make pedestrians safer have so far been felt by some merchants. “Reflective elements are sold about twice as much as before,” said Yveta Eiselt, a shop assistant from the Brno workwear shop.

On the contrary, Miroslav Šalanda from the haberdashery of Znojmo did not know any change. “The sale has not gone up so far. More interest will always start in the autumn when the days are shorter,” said Šalanda.

Last year, police in the South Moravian Region recorded four hundred and thirteen pedestrian-car crashes. “Two hundred and twenty-eight of these happened in Brno,” Swab said.

Over forty percent of pedestrian-car collisions took place at pedestrian crossings. Collisions of cars with pedestrians are increasing every year.

The 7 commandments for running at night

We choose a known course. In the dark, there is no question of leaving room for the unknown. So we choose a circuit that we are used to and that is safe. Especially since at night, it will look completely different from your daytime runs. We avoid venturing on new paths which we do not know the frequentation and where we could get lost. There will be plenty of time to explore during the day during the long weekend outing.

We make sure to be visible. It is important to wear clothing with reflective strips to be visible to motorists, bikers, and cyclists who may cross our path. Clear colors, even fluorescent, and reflective bands everywhere (leggings, jacket, gloves, hat …) will be your best allies in the dark. A yellow safety vest can also help gain visibility.

We equip ourselves with a headlamp. To know where you set foot and be even more visible at night, a small lamp with an elastic band to put around your head to watch where you are going is more than useful. We will choose if possible with a light power of 200 lumens minimum to be able to pass everywhere, even in the night without fear of tripping on a root or hurting my ankle because of a hole.

We multiply the layers to be warm but not too much. Difficult in winter to choose the right equipment to be warm enough without sweating more than reason. First reflex: protect the extremities. We put on gloves (not too thick but if possible windproof) and a thin cap but in micro-fleece. Then the rule is to multiply thin layers. First, a long-sleeved T-shirt that wicks away breathing, then a waterproof but breathable windbreaker to protect yourself from the elements. The leggings will be a little thicker than the one used in spring. It is best to be a little cold at first but to be comfortable once the body has warmed up by running. If it is really cold (below 0 degrees), we will opt for leggings lined with micro-fleece and a third thin layer between the T-shirt and the windbreaker. On the other hand, we forget the down jacket which is not breathable enough.

We continue to stay hydrated. In the cold, the feeling of thirst is less present, but that is not why we sweat less and that we must drink less. To avoid swallowing too cold water, you opt for a water bag with a pipette that you will carry on your back. Body heat should warm the liquid a little. And we try to keep the rule of half a liter of water drunk per hour of racing. If necessary, you put an alert to take a sip every 10 minutes on your watch or phone.

We warm-up before running. The cold can increase the risk of muscle breakdown. The warm-up stage is more crucial than ever. But beware: we forget about passive stretching before running (more harmful than useful) and we opt for dynamic warm-ups based on small jumps. We start to trot by gradually accelerating then we do a few ranges over a few tens of meters each time, to repeat two or three times (knee rise, buttocks heels, legs stretched, not chased, running backward). We finish with two or three progressive accelerations over 100 meters to increase the cardio. After that, your jogging can start safely.

Opt for shoes suitable for winter. If you run on sometimes muddy trails or paths with many puddles, it may be useful to wear shoes with a Gore-Tex membrane or equivalent. This prevents water from entering the shoe while retaining sufficient breathability.

Make helmets and bright reflective attire a must for food delivery riders

I have observed that many food delivery riders do not wear helmets, whether they are on a bicycle or an e-bike.

There could be many factors that deter them from wearing such safety equipment – our hot climate, or perhaps because helmets are not provided by food delivery companies.

Whatever the reason, these riders face long hours on the road, day and night, rain or shine. Singaporeans get food delivered to their doorsteps, but it should not be at the risk of riders’ lives.

My suggestion would be that all food delivery companies mandate the wearing of helmets and bright safety vests, or have reflective strips incorporated into the company attire for greater visibility. Errant riders can be given demerit points.

These companies must take the lead in creating a safety culture among their riders, and take an interest in protecting their lives and livelihoods by providing this safety equipment for free.

We cannot eradicate accidents but we can certainly reduce them with mitigating actions.

Reflectors in Winter: Bright lifesavers for children

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

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

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

Safety on the walk

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

Visibility in traffic

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

Reflectors increase visibility

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

Visible clothing

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

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

Safe locomotion

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

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

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

What are the differences between the fluorescent and reflective?

The appearance of many yellow vests in the streets, on our screens and in one of our newspapers is an opportunity to be interested in a scientific eye: these devices must be both “fluorescent” and “reflective”. What are the differences between the two and what are they due to?

If at night, I see a car in the distance, it is either because it emits light, or that the light from another source. It reflects at least in part. Specifically, the light rays are partially absorbed by the car and partially reflected, before reaching my eye.

It’s very simple until then; let us now see the fluorescence: when a material is fluorescent, it is able, each time it absorbs a little light, to emit a little too. Thus a fluorescent vest with reflective material gives the impression of being even brighter: not only does it reflect a part of the light that reaches it, but also its yellow or orange zones emit light for each part of the light that they absorb. Which makes the one who wears it more visible and improves its security.

The usual safety vests also have gray bands that look dull in the light of the day. To make them more beautiful? No, of course! These are reflective strips, which, they, aim to return any ray of light in the direction in which it arrived, which also ensures to be very well seen.

The principle was developed just one hundred and one years ago by a French inventor, juxtaposing three mirrors at right angles to form like a cube corner or a pyramid. Little by little, we miniaturized this device to make reflective plates that equip wheels and pedals of our bikes. Finally, we find that half-spheres have similar properties. By aligning many of these tiny spheres side by side on a safety vest, we can create these reflective strips, hardly thicker than a classic fabric!

This reflective effect increases the safety of humans on foot, by bike, by car or motorbike, but it also exists in nature: it is also thanks to him that the eyes of cats glow in the dark and that ours sometimes appear red in the photos!

To make children more visible in the dark through safety vests

The days are getting shorter again; it is the time of the year when safety vests are increasingly used again. In addition, rightly so: The eye-catching items of clothing help to prevent accidents and to protect your children from the dangers of road traffic.

 

Especially in the dark season, it is advisable to equip children in traffic with safety vests. Therefore, other road users much more likely perceive them.

 

This is what the ideal safety vest for children looks like

Safety vests are made of a breathable and lightweight material. They are easy to pull over the normal jacket and do not hinder. It is best if they are closable with a Velcro fastener: So the vest is quickly put on, fastened, and stripped off again. Characteristic is the reflector strip, which should be at least one centimeter wide and once around the reflective vest should be around: Only this way it is ensured that the child is clearly visible from all sides.

 

The color of the vest provides extra security. If you buy a model in a fluorescent signal color, such as yellow or pink, your child will not be overlooked even in daylight. The difficulty, especially in the winter months, lies in the fact that most garments are sold like warm jackets in rather muted colors. In them, a child is much worse to recognize than in a color that does not blur with the hazy background on the winter road.

 

Color and reflectors make the difference in safety vests

If the children have to leave the house and go to school in the morning, it is still dark outside in the fall, winter, and early spring. Whether they are on foot or by bicycle, they are not easy to spot for motorists, and in the morning rush hour traffic on the streets are still a bit more dangerous than usual. Buy reflective vests with reflectors for your kids, they are in the light the headlights are easy to see from far away, and the drivers drive much slower and more cautiously.

 

You can also buy one for yourself: For example, if you bring your child to kindergarten by bike in the morning, you will also be more easily recognizable by motorists. If you find the normal vests that you find in trading too boring and not very individual, you can also order special designs. Children also like to put on a vest with their name. If you find that the reflective areas are not sufficient, you can buy additional reflective strips and fix them on the vest. How your child safely gets through the traffic!

Safety advises for children when they ride their bicycles to school

If your child is riding a bicycle to school, follow these tips so they are safe on the trip:

Wearing a helmet, a reflective vest and accompanying them for the first few days of the journey are part of the advice given by the Road Safety Agency.

Help them find the best way to carry the suitcase or other things that weigh, so that they keep the balance and not risk falling.

Before leaving check that the bicycle is in perfect condition, especially the wheels, the chain, the handlebar and the saddle.

Accompany them during the first days so that they know the journey and gain confidence for when they should go alone.

Warn them not to stop to play during the journey or to do things like releasing the handlebars.

Do not wear headphones.

Ask them to be aware of their surroundings, to be vigilant and to avoid talking to strangers.

Keep a bag with reflective strips will be good help for the visibility.

Teach your children about traffic regulations and the use of bike paths.

Road Police applied 130 fines in three days of operation

The Road Police says that the lack of reflective vest in motorcyclists and the absence of the first aid kit in cars are the main infractions.

“I left in a hurry for work and did not bring it,” the motorcycle driver, who was not wearing a reflective vest, was justified while the traffic inspector took out his notebook to record the infraction in writing, behind him most motorcyclists. They did not even have one on Route 8; few used reflective bands and others, eight years after it became mandatory, still not incorporate the use of a helmet.

 

In total, since the beginning of the inspection operation of the new traffic law, on Saturday, March 28, until yesterday afternoon, the police officers had applied about 130 fines to drivers throughout the country. Although there is not data by type of infraction, from Coalminer informed Observatory that the preliminary figures indicate that the circular without a vest was the violation of the most registered norm.

 

The use of this security element is stipulated in article 7 of Law 19.061, which indicates that it is mandatory for those who travel by motorcycle or similar “permanent use during its circulation in all public roads” of vest, jacket, or reflective strips. If not used, the fine amounts to about $ 403 (0.5 resettable units) per person.

 

“If you do not come with anything reflective, you are a shadow,” because the vest “comes to reinforce visibility,” the Public Relations Officer of Road Police, Daniel Segovia, explained to El Observatory, regarding the need to use it, especially at night. On the other hand, the spokesperson of Coalminer said that although it is even in the whole country, the infraction becomes more noticeable near populated places. “There is a big difference between the motorcyclists who is going to do the long distance from the one who is going to make the cut. The problem is the one that left the neighborhood to the service station. “In that kilometer someone does not see me or something crosses my path and most likely does not tell it,” he warned.

 

Although most of the drivers expressed knowledge of the new norm, not all were clear about its scope. Although the inspectors in safety vest pointed out to each of the offenders the corresponding article and the text of the rule that be applied, they were inflexible when setting the fines.

 

 

Wearing a yellow vest: what are the rules

The high visibility vest is now mandatory for bikers. However, they must not wear it permanently. They must have it at hand and put it in case of danger. Since January 1, 2016, every biker must have a “high visibility” vest. However, he does not have to wear it while driving. One year after the entry into force of this regulation, it may be useful to recall the new legal framework. Indeed, neglecting this obligation may expose the rider to a fine.

 

All types of motorcycles are concerned, regardless of the model and the number of wheels: 2, 3 or 4 wheels. If it is not mandatory to wear it, the safety vest must be with you every day, stored on your motorcycle or on your scooter. If the police control you, you must be able to show it. Otherwise, you will incur a fine of 11 Euros.

 

A vest with standards

Even though we traditionally speak of a yellow vest, the decree in question (# 2015-514) uses the term “high visibility” vest. Indeed, the text imposes 2 standards for the vest (EN 471 and EN 1150), but several colors. To help you verify compliance, at the time of your purchase, the standard is on the garment label. The yellow vest is the most common and the name “yellow vest” has become generic. However, you can find a range of regulatory colors: red, orange-red, yellow-green, yellow-orange, green and pink. The only absolute rule regarding these colors: they must be fluorescent.

 

To note

In addition, it must be a vest and not an armband, a belt or reflective strips on the back, pants or motorcycle boots. You can of course decide to put it on you every day. In winter, in fog, snow, rain, you will be sure to be well seen by all road users. We know, on a motorcycle, it’s absolutely essential.

 

If, on the contrary, the weather is clear and beautiful, the circulation is fluid and without apparent danger, you can leave it in your trunk or your top box. Therefore, like all other road users, it will be imperative to put it if a danger or an emergency occurs. This is the case if you have to stop on the roadside, if you are down in the middle of the road or if you have to take a few steps on the emergency stop strip to reach a terminal.

Magic Vision: reflective clothing for visibility

Better visibility in the dark

Using reflective fabric and high-contrast colors in the visible zones offers the Magic Vision line visibility and an extra dose of style during training.

 

Few things are more important in autumn and winter to be seen as of other road users. Bright clothing or reflective strips are essential. The traditional French brand Magic has recently unveiled its new vision collection, in which the developers have adopted exactly this problem.

 

Helmet, vest, leg, knee and arm warmers and gloves Vision series bear all the unmistakable signature of Magic designers while ensuring a good visibility on the road. To the products besides the classic white-silver-colored reflective strips and elements in Magic yellow are attached. Both together is to make visible and protect against accidents at dusk cyclists.

 

Particularly striking is designed the vest. She has a figure hugging fit, a good temperature management and is waterproof. The light yellow zones are placed so that one is seen best in riding position. There are also more reflective material for better visibility at night. In trade, the Magic Vision Vest costs 130 Euros and is available from the beginning of the 2017.