Tag: reflective vest

Road safety: how to remain visible when the night comes to fall

Winter is coming, days are getting shorter, night is falling faster, and pedestrians and cyclists are more and more vulnerable to motorists who do not always see them. For road safety, how to remain visible when the night comes to fall?

 

When night falls, pedestrians and cyclists become vulnerable. Imprudence will be make serious consequences. The winter period accounts for almost half of all pedestrians without high visibility vest killed last year, and accidents involving cyclists continue to increase. Therefore, Preventive actions are carried out.

 

Visible up to 150 meters

Sticking retro flexing tapes to the children’s binder or to the backs of cyclists is particularly effective. Beyond 30 meters, an individual with these stickers continues to be visible up to 150 meters. It is also essential that the bikes are visible at night. For this, lights must be installed. A danger spreader can also take place on the two-wheelers so that motorists take more distance to overtake the cyclist. Finally, it is strongly recommended to wear a reflective vest.

A driver hitting and killing two horses, injured riders

One animal was killed on the spot and another had to be euthanized a little later, while two riders had to be hospitalized. The driver was intoxicated and not equipped any safety equipments, according to the first elements of the investigation.

 

The car “tumbled at full speed,” according to a witness. A rare road accident caused the death of two horses near Toulouse and injured two riders, reports this Friday “La Dépêche du Midi.”

 

The scene occurred Thursday, June 22. A procession of six riders, accompanied by a van, takes the side of a section of the departmental road near Mont, shortly before 23h. “They were driving to the left of the road to face any cars, as would pedestrians,” said the mayor of the village.

 

According to a witness, the group was “lit by the white truck of the owner, lights and warnings on to signal them well,” each rider wearing a yellow reflective vest and a bomb on the head. The road is also straight and illuminated at this place, the newspaper says.

 

“One of the horses literally flew in the air”

A car would have emerged and overturned the first two horses in the group. “One of the horses literally flew in the air, as well as his rider, to mow another before going to stop on the side,” says a woman who attended the scene.

 

One animal was killed on the spot and the other one had to be euthanized two hours later by a veterinarian who was there. Two riders were also hospitalized: a woman who left the hospital one week later for kidney pain and four broken ribs and a man for major wounds, which required the installation of six stitches.

 

According to the “Dispatch,” it appears that the driver of the car, a 34-year-old man, without wearing safety vest, was driving while intoxicated. An investigation is opened to know the exact circumstances of the accident.

 

Wearing a yellow vest on a motorcycle

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.

 

Always have it available

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, the high visibility 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 reflective 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 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.

 

Wear it in case of danger

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. Do not wear a high visibility safety vest in case of emergency stop you are liable to a fine of 135 Euros.

 

 

 

 

No car should be driven without mandatory equipment

Every car must have mandatory safety equipment. If a thing is missing or invalid, the driver is liable to a fine of up to two thousand crowns. On the other hand, compulsory gear is not self-serving; it can help motorists in an accident or injury. In addition, which is the most important thing? For each driver it is different.

 

“Warning triangle, first aid kit, surely a vest. Probably a light bulb and a warning triangle, the most important thing to me is the reserve. “And that’s just the only thing that’s required to have a limited service life, usually five years. In addition, because it was the last time its contents changed by law in 2011, we should check if ours are still valid. In addition, according to Robert, a road safety expert, the car kit is important.

 

“This is because it can be useful not only when driving in a car. One has a car parked; somebody has an accident and so uses it from a car. I am still sure I can treat someone. “The youngest element of mandatory equipment is a reflective vest that we must have in all cars for the fourth year. Besides the first aid kit, there is also a warning triangle, spare bulbs and fuses, a spare or repair kit, a jack and a wheel nut. It is enough and we were wondering if the drivers had ever used some of the mandatory equipment?

 

“Not yet. I used a triangle and a first aid kit. I did not use anything else. I did once when I helped in an accident. I have not used anything for my driving career yet. “The law does not exactly say where the parts of the mandatory equipment should be, and so with Robert we get into the car. What mandatory equipment should we have in the cab? “Definitely a reflective vest is prescribed only for the driver. I recommend that it have all the crewmembers and have it so that I can dress it before I get off. There is also a first-aid kit at your fingertips to get her strapped from her seat. ”

 

We get out of the car and look back to the trunk, there should be the rest of the required gear. “But we must count on the fact that we Czechs mostly carry a full suitcase. What I need to get quickly available, perhaps a warning triangle should always be found, even if I have a suitcase full of platter. ”

 

In addition, due to the advent of modern techniques, Robert recommends other practical issues – Automap and small coins. “At the moment of navigation failure, the paper map may be very useful. Due to our payment cards, we often have little money. However, they can help us when we need it for example in the toilet and the petrol pump is no longer free or in the city where there is a parking machine.”

 

Reflective elements have been a responsibility for pedestrians

Pedestrians who drive on the road in the dark or diminished visibility must also wear reflective vest for the year. Police sometimes even check and distribute fines. However, the effort was paid off. According to statistics, the number of pedestrians killed outside the village has fallen. Still, there are those who walk on the roads without reflective elements. In addition, some will pay for it for life.

 

Last Friday, 2 September, the Czech police officers received reports from the driver. He drew attention to the unlit pedestrian who was on the roadside. He could not see it, but fortunately, he could avoid it at the last minute. It was too late before the police arrived. A sixty-year-old man on the road between Bola and Doisy hit the car. He died on the spot. Tragic events would most likely prevent a man from reflect himself on the road. It is the year that you have a year on Czech pedestrian roads. In addition, the statistics show that their use has been eliminated by just such tragic events as happened.

 

In the year 2016, 111 pedestrians died in traffic accidents. This is about 20 more victims than in 2015. It also started better this year, when seven pedestrians died in January, compared to 11 in 2015 and 2016. “The decrease in tragic pedestrian accidents is only outside the village, while in the villages the number of their victims was the same as in 2015, except for 20 people less than last year,” says Martin, head of BESIP.

 

Although the reflective material for pedestrians outside the community is obligatory, accidents occur when people are not wearing them. “Every accident is specific and we can hardly generalize that these people would live if they had reflective elements but would certainly have a better chance of surviving,” explains Martin. According to BESIP, it is shown that reflective elements can reduce the risk of a pedestrian accident by up to ten times under impaired visibility.

 

Moreover, the statistics show that the number of pedestrians who died after the accident in the village increased by four, while outside the village, where people would wear reflective elements, the number of pedestrians killed dropped by 10. The duty is still valid for the day visibility. Under such conditions, no one died in 2016, but three people a year earlier. BESIP supports wearing reflective elements of the campaign called “Do We See?” It informs you about the dangers that pedestrians are losing sight of. In addition to the cops, he has already given out a million reflective tapes.

 

 

Compulsory car equipment should shrink or not

Required safety equipment in cars could undergo changes. Replacement bulbs and fuses could replace the list of what drivers have to carry in the car. Some Members are inclined to do so. According to them, cars are as unnecessary as most drivers can not or can not replace them. At the same time, they want to unify mandatory equipment in Europe. However, there are some experts.

 

Replacement light bulbs and fuses, spare wheel or tire repair kit, warning triangle, reflective vest, car kit and key wheel nuts. The mandatory equipment is that every driver must have in his car. However, according to some deputies, the first three listed items might have disappeared.

 

MEPs have just been discussing it and have not reached any official conclusion.

“There is no problem with replacing the light bulb with other vehicles, considering that in the case of diminished visibility, if I break the light that is facing the road, I can not continue driving,” says politician Martin of BESIP.

 

Some experts would not be releasing the hiver and the spare wheel. According to them, it is not a problem for the driver to replace the damaged tire himself. According to experts, a fire extinguisher could be included in the mandatory equipment in the Czech Republic. He is required in Greece, Croatia, Bulgaria or Romania. Denmark only recommends it.

 

The Czech Republic and Slovakia are the last countries where spare fuses and incandescent lamps are mandatory. However, according to traffic safety experts, only the most recent cars, which the driver virtually can not manage, are driving on Czech roads. The average age of cars is fifteen years for us.

 

Do you know how to drive in winter

For over a month, drivers have to wear safety vest and change the winter tires, if there is a continuous layer of snow, ice or icing on this road, but even then, this can be assumed. If you violate this obligation, you will be liable to a fine of up to CZK 2,000. Not only winter tires are part of winter car preparation. Volkswagen Financial Services reported.

 

In addition to winter wheels, it is also good to check the car’s equipment, replacement bulbs, spare fuses, wheel nut, hiver, spare wheel, warning triangle, reflective vest and first aid kit. In winter, it is also good to carry a field blade, a glass scraper, a de-icing lock, a strong rope and possibly chains.

 

Car washing should also be part of the winter preparation, since the car has to deal with spreading salt, gravel and other substances that are used for road maintenance.

 

In the winter, however, the driver must be prepared first. In 2016, over 53 000 accidents were caused by an incorrect way of driving. Sometimes it is better to leave the car at home. “Every year, experts advise drivers not to drive in a very unfavorable weather, and every year many drivers do not listen to these recommendations, but they have to calculate what costs more – one public transport or car repair, in the best case,” says Lukas Cana in yellow vest from Volkswagen Financial Services. According to the survey, 50% of drivers are influenced by their driving habits during the winter season and the associated weather conditions. As a result, 22% of drivers drive the car in winter less often or almost at all.

 

 

Reflective vest in car: where is it mandatory

Motorists should keep an eye on whether they have a reflective vest in the car. In many countries, it is mandatory, often under the threat of thousands of fines.

 

Most recently – since April 30 – it is mandatory to wear a reflective vest in Slovenia. Local measures are among the countries where the vest is compulsory, the most moderate. The driver must always wear it when he or she leaves a car on a motorway or expressway in an accident or breaks a car.

 

A similar situation as in Slovenia is in Belgium, Italy, Romania and this year also in Luxembourg and Hungary. Still, there are differences – The Hungarian police have no power to collect fines on the spot in cash, a fine is paid by a payment order and must be paid within 15 days. In Italy, passengers must also use the passenger jacket if they leave the vehicle in the event of an accident or breakdown.

 

Stricter conditions apply since 2005 in neighboring Austria. Outside of the village, the driver must wear the safety vest always in a situation where a warning triangle, motorways and express roads are to be built behind the vehicle every time they move out of the car. In addition, it is the duty to carry the vest. Failure to comply with these rules will theoretically amount to a penalty of up to € 5,000, in reality the fine ranges from € 14 to € 36 (about $ 350- $ 900). According to the Austrian Automobile Club ÖAMTC, the lower rate is most often levied.

 

A similar situation as in Austria is in a typical summer destination for Czech drivers – in Croatia the duty is extended except for motorists and motorcyclists, but for violation, there is no sanction at present. In the Czech Republic, according to Government Regulation 168/2002 Coll. Reflective vest is a part of mandatory service equipment. Vehicle vehicles are also subject to the obligation to wear reflective vests in Germany.

 

The European Standard EN 471 defines how the visor should look properly. If this standard matches the high visibility vest, it should be marked on the label along with other product data. Although in many countries there is no obligation to have or use reflective vests, transport experts agree that it is always better to keep it in touch with regard to their own security in case of unforeseen events.

 

The public in safety vest tried to block the hunt

Socialists in reflective vest from the organization “Silesia against the hunter” tried to block the hunt, which on Saturday morning was to take place in the forest near Gliwice. You do not have to kill animals. Why are you doing this? They asked hunters. In retaliation, hunters blocked the car of one of the volunteers and called the police.

 

On Saturday morning, hunting enthusiasts from the Hunting Association in Gliwice met near Gliwice. At the edge of the forest, a dozen or so men lit a fire and began preparations. Unexpectedly, a group of people in reflective vests appeared nearby. – We do not agree to the killing of animals. We cannot understand how in the 21st century, when people do not have to hunt to feed them, a ritual happens. There are no arguments for those who shoot animals. We want to prevent them. Therefore, we will walk through the forest on the line of fire. We have high visibility vests, so we will be clearly visible. Perhaps in this way, we will be able to protect even one wild boar or a roe – convinced Aleksandra from Bytom.

 

The community immediately caught the attention of the hunters. Are our touts? poked. Some of them, however, immediately reacted nervously. We have to call the police. They asked. We are not doing anything wrong. Everyone has the right to enter the forest. This is our common good – the social workers said. We tried to talk to the hunters, but they did not want to speak. They started the collection; one of them started playing on the hunting horn. Thanks to the destruction of fields, we lose collections – the farmer was upset, who rode a tractor with an oblong trailer in his place, probably for transporting dead animals.

 

Meanwhile, several hunters after the conference began to photograph car registrations with which volunteers came. It looks like an attempt to intimidate – they said. In response, the hunters set a “Caution hunting” sign by the path to the forest. – It means that everyone is entering the forest at his own risk now. That is, the forest is now in the possession of hunters, not walkers – says Bedeck.

 

The hunters blocked the volunteer car

Hunters did not think about giving up hunting. They got into their cars and drove into the forest along a dirt road. Volunteers in safety vest followed them. The cavalcade stopped in the middle of the forest, the hunters decided to consult once again. At one point, one of the hunters blocked Babushka’s car with his car. Then the cavalcade wanted to move on, but the social workers did not allow it. They stood across the road and demanded the unlocking of the car. There was confusion. Hunters and social workers started calling the police.

 

 

Children in reflective vest join the police station activity

On Thursday (24.08) on the premises of the Pavia Police Headquarters in Katowice, the “Open Command Day” was organized, in which about 70 children took part in a half-camp, everyone of them received a reflective vest, organized by the Social Integration Association Victoria in Katowice.

 

The aim of this project was, as in previous years, to familiarize children with the specificity of the work of the police as well as to create opportunities for an interesting way of spending free time. During the meeting, the officers of the Juvenile and Pathological Team presented equipment that was on police equipment, such as clubs, shields, helmets and bulletproof safety vests.

 

The police officers presented the structure of the unit and the tasks of each division. The children had the opportunity to get to know different types of service uniforms, service levels, as well as the work of forensic technician who showed how the traces are secured at the scene.

 

In addition, officers in safety uniform conducted preventive talks with children on the principles of safe behavior in various situations, including while staying alone in the place of residence, contact with strangers and safety of water reservoirs and rivers as part of the action “I’m being safe … by the water.”