Tag: reflective vest

6 THINGS BICYCLISTS CAN DO TO KEEP OUT OF EMERGENCY ROOMS

Defensive driving isn’t just a concept reserved for automobile drivers.

It’s just as important – probably even more so – for cyclists.

“I think one of the biggest things as a bicyclist is to be a defensive rider, very focused and alert – able to anticipate what cars around you may do before they do it,” UVA Health System injury prevention coordinator Liz Cochran said. “The sooner you can detect potential conflicts on the road, the quicker you can act to avoid a potential crash.”

But that doesn’t mean cyclists here – or anywhere for that matter – can let their guard down.

Knowing the rules of the road is just one-way cyclists can protect themselves, according to UVA Health System injury prevention coordinator Liz Cochran.

According to Cochran, bike-related head injuries are the No. 1 reason for sports- and recreation-related emergency room visits for U.S. children ages 14 and under.

Here are six tips from Cochran on how bikers can better protect themselves:

1. Don’t just wear any helmet

Just because you’re wearing a helmet doesn’t necessarily mean you’re protected.

Cochran says people often buy helmets that don’t fit correctly, or even worse, they wear a helmet but leave it unbuckled.

It starts with getting the correct fit, she said.

“You can’t just go by a rider’s age,” she said. “You have to test them out to find the right size for a person’s head.

“You can start with a tape measure to measure your head, staying above your ears and your eyebrows because that’s where the helmet fit will be. Just like a pair of jeans, you’re going to have brands that vary in their sizing charts. Just because a certain size fits at Wal-Mart, doesn’t mean the same will at Target. You have to try it on and make sure it is snug all around. You don’t want any spaces between the foam tab and your head.”

And Cochran says you also have to make sure you’re wearing the helmet correctly.

“You want to put your fingers in a ‘V’ shape, like a peace sign, under and slightly in front of a bike rider’s ears and the straps should align with your fingers. The chin strap should be fitted under their chin, but should not be so snug that one or two fingers can’t fit beneath it. An easy way to test it is to open your mouth wide, like a yawn, and the helmet should pull down on the head. If not, the chin strap needs to be tighter.

“You can pull the straps on the back of the helmet to adjust it, and once it’s fastened, the helmet shouldn’t move in any direction. It should be snug, but not so snug that you can’t open your mouth.”

2. Check Your Bike

Before you go out for a ride, inspect your bike.

“So often people get on the bike and right away want to go out on the roads. And that’s great, we encourage people to bike and exercise, but you also have to educate yourself first on how to be a responsible bike rider, just like you would be a vehicle driver, “Cochran said, “and that includes checking the ABC’s of bike safety – air, brakes, chain / clean.”

“Also, you want to find a bike that fits you. If it’s too big, it’s going to be much harder to control. If it’s too small, you’re going to be putting out a lot more effort.”

3. Careful with Carry-Ons

“If you’re carrying items on a bike, you want them either in a backpack on your back or strapped on the back of the bike. You don’t want anything swinging from your arms as you’re trying to ride,” Cochran said.

That advice extends to your clothing, too.

“Wearing anything long and loose isn’t the best riding attire as clothing can easily get caught up in chains and gears and cause a crash,” she said. “Make sure shoelaces are tied and tucked in, pant legs are cuffed up, and long dresses and skirts are kept clear of the bike chain and gears.”

4. Guiding Light

“Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective clothing or reflective vest in the evening hours, as well as having lights on your bike,” Cochran said.

5. Lose the Booze

This may seem like a no-brainer, but Cochran said the numbers suggest otherwise.

“In recent statistics, alcohol was involved in 37% of all fatal bicycle crashes,” she said. “If you’re drinking, you shouldn’t be operating or driving any vehicle, and this applies to bikes as well.”

“Anyone who works in the field of trauma will tell you, lots of injuries that come through have an alcohol-related component to them; problematic drinking habits are something we screen all injured patients for at UVA.”

6. Rules of the Road

Cochran suggests learning all you can about cycling laws via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and also going to your local bike shop and biking community to “pick their brains.”

“Local riders can tell you from their own experiences what area roads that are safer to ride on, or ones they would suggest avoiding,” she said. “Aside from wearing a helmet, being an educated bicyclist is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself.”

The new line of reflective clothing makes pedestrians “light up like a Christmas tree”

November tends to be the most dangerous month of the year for pedestrians.

Daylight savings time has just ended and drivers are still adjusting to darker conditions at rush hour. Last year there were 37 pedestrian collisions (fatal and injury) in Edmonton during November, more than twice July’s total.

Irene Dixon, the creator of Reflective Advantage — a reflective garments line that launched this week — wants to prevent future collisions by making pedestrians more visible.

“You can’t prevent every accident, but you can give yourself an advantage,” she said.

A few years ago, Dixon was startled several times while out walking her two West Highland terriers on the roads by her home near Stony Plain. She would jump into ditches and pull the dogs down with her to get out of the way of speeding cars. She also had a few close calls behind the wheel, failing to spot pedestrians, some clad in black clothing, from far away.

As a nurse working in intensive care and neurology units, she saw the broken bones, burns and head injuries coming from car crashes and how the trauma of those accidents affected patients and their families.

Searching for solutions, she found only bulky safety apparel and expensive athletic gear with tiny reflective logos on the chest. She bought a reflective vest but didn’t like the fit or feel, so she started sewing more stylish options herself. First, she made dog coats with bright, high-visibility fabric for her Westies, Piper and McDuff. Drivers slowed down, even started smiling and waving at her and the dogs, so she made more items — walking vests with pockets and scarves with reflective stripes and stars.

“When you wear this, you light up like a Christmas tree,” Dixon said, twirling a commuter scarf around her neck. The $ 20 scarves have reflective material sewn and stuck to both sides and they come in different colors and styles.

Advertising campaigns asking pedestrians to take responsibility for being seen have drawn criticism in recent years. Last year, the City of Edmonton abandoned a proposed billboard ad that would have encouraged people to wear more reflective clothing. City spokesperson Gary Dyck told the Journal the ad was nixed after it received poor feedback from a panel of citizens who comment on city policies. A provincial traffic safety campaign reminding pedestrians to lock eyes with drivers before walking also drew criticism this fall.

Dixon, well aware of these debates, said she’s not out to blame pedestrians or remove the responsibility of drivers. She knows the city has adopted “Vision Zero,” a goal to eliminate all deaths and major injuries caused by car collisions, and is adding more pedestrian signals, improving left-turn signal timing and installing more driver feedback signs in high collision areas.

“All of those things take a lot of time and a lot of money,” she said.

“In the meantime, I want to allow myself and my friends to somehow protect ourselves.”

If you are going on holiday by car, you need to know the rules

Croatia, the most popular destination of Slovaks, directs daylight. Reflective vest, warning triangle, first aid kit, and even fire extinguisher are not missing.

Holiday destinations this year Slovaks also choose in terms of security. According to Invia statistics, the first places of interest are European countries that can be reached by car, namely Greece, Italy, and Croatia. Before traveling, drivers need to study the traffic rules not only in their destination but also in the countries they pass through.

In Austria and Slovenia, as the most common transit countries, 0.5 per mile of blood alcohol is tolerated. In Austria, unlike Slovenia, it is not necessary to light all day. Reflective waistcoat with reflective material, warning triangle, and first aid kit must be available to drivers. They must also present a green card in Slovenia. Children must be obliged to travel in child safety seats.

Croatia, the most popular destination of Slovaks, directs daylight. Reflective vest with reflective tape, warning triangle, first aid kit, and even fire extinguisher are not missing. “Children under 12 must not sit in the front seats. If they are traveling in the rear, they must have a suitable car seat or cushion designed for their age and weight category,” explains Lukas Fiala from Britax Romer.

Year-round lighting is mandatory outside the village and in Italy. “In Italy, there is also a new ban on smoking in a car carrying children under the age of 12 or pregnant women under a fine of between EUR 500 and EUR 5 000. The use of child seats is mandatory without exception,” adds Fiala. The first-aid kit is not mandatory in Italy, but due to its safety and the obligation to have a first-aid kit in the neighboring countries, experts recommend it here.

The maximum speed limit in Slovakia – Croatia / Italy states is 50 km / h in the municipality and 130 km / h on the motorway. A small amount of alcohol in the blood is also tolerated. However, experts do not recommend alcohol at all on long journeys.

Tips on how to travel by car

The car is still the most popular and used vehicle in the world, and it is not the same in our country. We travel by car to work, to the family, to shopping, to trips and, last but not least, to holidays.

Most Slovaks prefer to travel on holiday by car, despite affordable air transport. We like to travel by car very often, so we have prepared a summary article that can help you before you travel by car.

We focus mainly on what to check before traveling, what to watch out for and to recommend a few devices and applications that might be useful for you.

What to check?

The basic basis and necessity are to check the condition of the vehicle. We believe that without a basic check of the condition of the car you will not go on a long journey. You do not need to be an expert or car mechanic to check important parts of your car. First of all, it is the tires – their condition and correct inflation. The optimum tire inflation values ​​can be found on the label at the bottom of the B-pillar or the inside of the fuel filler flap. Checking the fillings is also very important, which means checking the level of oil, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid. This is the very foundation.

If you have an older car, it is advisable to have a little distilled water and suitable engine oil in the trunk. We also recommend that you check the required equipment, which may vary by country. A warning triangle, a reflective vest, a first aid kit, and a spare wheel is essential. This is not only necessary if you have RunFlat tires or a tire repair kit. Our recommendations include a basic tool kit, an LED flashlight, and spare bulbs.

Why not forget?

Before you (not only) take a long journey, make sure that you have compulsory contractual insurance (PZP). You show this to the competent authorities with a green card that applies throughout Europe. PZP covers only those damages that you have caused to the other party – your damages are without compensation. For this reason, it is also worth having accident insurance. If you have one or want to do so, check with your provider for territorial validity. You may not want to pay in the country you are going to.

This can be completed and paid for a short period. In addition to car insurance, do not forget about personal insurance. If you are traveling as a family, you can take out insurance for a given period together and often at a very advantageous price, often including luggage and valuables insurance. Many insurance companies have mobile applications that ensure the whole family in minutes, without having to visit any branch in person. An important and necessary document in the car is also an accident report, which should be safe in English. Just download the report on the Internet and print it. Nothing complicated but very important for you to have.

If you are going on holiday with foreign car hire, you should also consider the official confirmation of renting the car. If you are stopped by the cops and you do not have it, it can be a big problem and, in the worst case, an early exit. If you rent a car, print out a simple document on the rental of a motor vehicle for a certain period, with which you must visit a notary and have it officially verified. Of course, even with the owner of the vehicle. Doing so will prevent potential problems. When renting a car from a rental office, this form is a matter of course. And do not forget your identity card (valid within the EU and Switzerland) and children under 15 must have a passport. If you do not have it, you can also provide it for your children quickly – within two working days for an increased administrative fee.

Luggage properly and passengers come first!

Always observe the basic principles of proper storage when loading the luggage in the vehicle. The heaviest items (suitcases, water, etc.) should always be at the bottom and as close as possible to the backrests of the second row. This will prevent them from sudden shifting during emergency braking, and also achieve a lower center of gravity, which is beneficial to the driveability. Heavy objects on the top help to increase the vehicle’s tilt in curves and are also very dangerous. However, any improperly attached or placed item that can take up to several times its weight during impact is dangerous. We also recommend that you take the trunk only to the level of the backrests in the second row. Remember to divide your network to go higher. Also, it will not hurt if you secure the entire luggage in the trunk against the movement of the pulling belt, etc. And do not forget the maximum permissible vehicle weight!

Passengers are always in the first place! Make sure each passenger has enough space and comfort, while not trying to push extra luggage and things that have nothing to do into the cabin itself. The cabin includes only important personal belongings, snacks, drinking regime, or some games for children that entertain them during a long journey. If you do not have enough space in the trunk, consider a roof box or a compact trailer – you do not have to buy them, they can also be borrowed. Proper sitting is also very important, always sit max. comfortably, but pay attention to safety. A child seat is a must for children and all passengers should be restrained at all times. At the moment, it is a big habit for passengers or rather passengers to put their feet on the dashboard of the vehicle for comfort. Please, never do this! Even in a small car accident, it is a life-threatening position.

The driver should not forget about regular breaks, good music, and drinking regime. During long journeys, breaks are very important, ideally after 3-4 hours of driving. You will appreciate it not only for you but also for the crew. Have a good coffee at the petrol station, stretch bones or take the highway to discover local cafes. Coffee and energy drinks are good, but everything should be taken in moderation. These tasty drinks suppress fatigue – do not remove it!

Devices and applications that you might find useful

If you are traveling with children, it is advisable to have devices that can entertain them and are not difficult to operate. They can be offline games, but also game consoles such as. Nintendo Switch. It’s also great to have a tablet to download games and record movies or fairy-tales that younger children will appreciate while watching them without an Internet connection. This includes a tablet holder to make viewing comfortable and safe. You can buy a quality holder from as little as 15 euros, but make sure you are compatible with your car. A good smartphone holder will also appreciate a chauffeur who should know that the phone is not behind the glass (in direct sunlight). Ideally, it should be placed lower on/under the dashboard or in a bracket to be placed in the vent – the air conditioning will cool the phone.

If you are taking a laptop, a voltage converter will come in handy as well. It is affordable and invaluable at certain times. You should not miss a good car charger for your smartphone. Modern cars have multiple USB-A charging ports integrated, so you only need cables. You can also use a quality power bank, which you use not only in the car. There are also those available to start the car with a discharged battery! We believe you have a smartphone, so use it properly. Certainly, it should not miss navigation applications such as Google Maps and Waze. While these applications need data, they are no longer a problem even abroad within the EU.

We believe that these recommendations will help you to manage your trip without any problems and that you will enjoy every holiday or trip by car.

Going on vacation to Croatia? Equipment you must not forget

If you are planning to go on holiday to Croatia this year, you should keep in mind that each country sets different mandatory equipment for your car.

If you go to Croatia by the shortest route, you will go through Austria and later through Slovenia. In contrast to mandatory equipment in the Czech Republic, the one in Austria includes a first-aid kit, which is also mandatory for bikers and must be in a package that prevents the ingress of dirt into its contents.

A reflective vest is only mandatory for motor vehicle drivers but is recommended for other crew members. The following colors are allowed: orange, yellow and red. If you have an on-board camera behind your car’s windshield, take it off while driving in Austria. They are forbidden here and you face a fine.

After crossing the border with Slovenia, prepare for the fact that a reflective vest is mandatory for anyone who gets out of a motor vehicle in an emergency. You are subject to penalties of up to 40 Euros. It is also not allowed to transport children under 12 years on a motorcycle or moped.

If you set out to Croatia on a longer route through Slovakia and Hungary, you should know that in Slovakia, a reflective vest is mandatory for anyone who leaves a motor vehicle in an emergency, day and night. Restrictions on navigation and similar devices that must not be placed in the driver’s field of vision also apply.

In Hungary, be prepared that the rear position lamps must also be on for the daytime running lights and that it is only mandatory outside the cities. In Slovakia and Hungary, anyone who moves on low visibility communications is required to wear a reflective vest.

In Croatia alone, the driver is required to have a reflective vest for the driver, a ban on the carriage of children under 12 years in the front seats of the car, except children under two years, placed in a special “egg” have two triangles for a towed vehicle.

Driving abroad? Beware of different mandatory equipment

Traveling by car offers many advantages, but also many disadvantages. Those who cannot allow this type of transport should not forget that the same rules as in the Czech Republic do not apply everywhere.

Andrea Schmiedová from Cheb, who went to France last year, knows about this. “We were checked by the police and I did not carry an alcohol tester, which is mandatory here, and a reflective vest for all passengers. Fortunately, they just warned me and I didn’t pay the fine.”

According to experts, the basis of mandatory equipment is the same as in the Czech Republic, but there are differences. “Compulsory equipment in European countries is usually the same as in our country. However, you will also need a fire extinguisher somewhere – for example in Bulgaria, Romania, Greece or Turkey, and if you have an N-category vehicle, Croatia, too,” said Eduarda Hekšová, director of the consumer organization dTest.

Problems await those who drive abroad with a company or rented car. “You will need a confirmation from the owner that you are authorized to drive the car, and you should also take a work contract or a rental car. The confirmation should be in English or another world language and with an officially verified signature,” explained Hekšová. “Take the confirmation even if you are a company executive or even the only person in the company. It can be difficult to negotiate with foreign police.”

Those who are going to drive outside the European Union should check if they need an international driving license. This is usually issued by the authority of any municipality with extended powers.

Albania

In Albania, a tow rope, a first-aid kit, and a triangle are mandatory in the car. It is recommended to carry a fire extinguisher in a passenger car and is mandatory in buses and trucks. Children up to 12 years of age must be seated in the car in the child restraint system. A helmet for cyclists of all ages is also mandatory on the road. Alcohol at the wheel is prohibited.

Belarus

In Belarus, the mandatory equipment of a car includes a reflective vest, a warning triangle, a sticker with a state mark, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit. Children up to 12 years of age must be seated in the car in the child restraint system. Phoning behind the wheel is only allowed with hands-free. Alcohol at the wheel is prohibited.

Belgium

In Belgium, a reflective vest for the driver is included. In vehicles registered in Belgium, the reflective vest is also mandatory for the passenger. Motorcyclists who drive motorcycles over 50cc are required to wear protective clothing – gloves, a jacket with long sleeves, trousers with long trousers and boots with ankle protection. For vehicles registered in Belgium, a fire extinguisher is also mandatory. For foreign vehicles, it is only recommended. Children up to 135 cm in height must be seated in the child restraint system. Children from 3 years of age up to 135 cm in height must not sit in the front seat of the car seat. Alcohol at the wheel is allowed at 0.5 ‰.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, a mandatory vest must be fitted with a reflective vest for anyone who leaves the car during an emergency, such as an accident. The same goes for bikers. A reflective vest, a first-aid kit, and a warning triangle are also mandatory. All cyclists must wear a helmet, regardless of age. Children from 5 years of age must not sit in the front seat of the car seat. Alcohol at the wheel is allowed at 0.3 ‰.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, all vehicles except motorcycles must be equipped with a fire extinguisher. You should not forget the reflective vest, which is mandatory not only for all passengers who get out of the car in the event of an emergency but also for bikers and their passengers. The warning triangle and first aid kit are also mandatory. Children up to 150 cm in height must be seated in a child seat. Children from 3 years of age up to 150 cm in height must not sit in the front seat, even when they are in the car seat. Alcohol at the wheel is allowed at 0.5 ‰.

Montenegro

In Montenegro, a reflective vest is mandatory for all persons leaving the vehicle in the event of an emergency. The same goes for bikers. A safety helmet is mandatory for all cyclists. The warning triangle and first aid kit are also mandatory. Children under 12 must be seated in a restraint system. Children between the ages of 5 and 12 must not sit in the front seat, even when they are in the car seat. Alcohol at the wheel is allowed at a rate of 0.3 ‰ except for professional drivers – they are zero.

Croatia

In Croatia, a mandatory vest must include a reflective vest with reflective tape, a warning triangle, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher (N-category vehicles only). Vehicles with a trailer must have 2 warning triangles. Children under 12 years of age must not be transported in the front seat, except for children under 2 years old who are placed in a safety egg and the airbag is switched off. Children under 12 years must not be transported on motorcycles or mopeds. Children under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle safety helmet. Alcohol at the wheel is only allowed for drivers with experience of 0.5 ‰. Novice drivers and professional drivers have zero alcohol levels.

Changes for drivers: New rules for first aid kits and mandatory equipment

Mandatory equipment and first-aid kits will change from 1st October. You no longer need to carry bulbs or fuses in your car. First-aid kits will be valid even after their expiration and they will disappear, for example, a three-pointed scarf or drape. What other changes await us? Lenka Rezková, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Transport, replied on Friday’s Breakfast with Nová.

As of 1 October 2018, there is a change in the mandatory equipment of vehicles and medicine kits. The main changes include keeping the medicine chest after the expiration date. “The main change is that drivers will no longer have to change their medicine chest because of expiration. This means that those who have their medicine chest in their car, have it closed so they can keep it there without any problems, “said Lenka Rezkova.

So far, we have had to change the medicine chest after the expiration of the expiry date. However, the Ministry of Transport, in consultation with the Ministry of Health, decided that this was no longer mandatory. “If all medical materials are intact, they are fine and can be used without any problem in a car accident,” Rezkova added.

For example, you no longer need to carry a three-pointed scarf or a plastic mask in the medicine cabinet. There were no other things. “There won’t be three things in the medicine cabinet. It will be a three-pointed scarf, a patch with a cushion, and there may not be a plastic drape. There is nothing to add, “said Rezkova.

The change also applies to the mandatory equipment of the vehicle. Only the reflective vest and the warning triangle remain in it. Conversely, you do not need bulbs or fuses. “As far as mandatory equipment is concerned, the rule remains that there is a reflective vest with reflective tape and also a warning triangle. These things must be kept there. But what is changing and quite important is that people no longer have to carry fuses and also spare bulbs,” Rezkova said.

Newly, the driver does not have to carry a spare tire. “As for the spare tire reserve, if a puncture becomes a defect, drivers who have a car equipped with an emergency tire will no longer have to carry the spare tire. drivers who will have an agreed assistance service throughout the Czech Republic, who will replace their tire just in case of a puncture, “Rezková added.

The ministry is trying to make it easier for drivers to keep things from being unnecessary. “We are trying to make life easier for drivers so that they do not have to carry things in their cars that are not needed there at the moment. The fuses and the bulbs are mainly because the cars are at a different technical level than was a few years ago and many drivers are already leaving the replacement of both fuses and light bulbs at service experts, “Rezkova explained.

It is advisable to have a reflective vest in your car so that we do not get off the highway without it in the event of an accident. Ideally, anyone traveling in the car could have it in the car. “As for the reflective vest, nothing changes. We should all have a reflective vest. For safety reasons, it’s good to have it with you in the car. Somewhere on the left side of the driver, the right side of the passenger they did not have to look anywhere in the car, do not put God somewhere in the trunk when we have to climb the highway, but really to have it on hand and when we have a vest for every member we carry, it is good, “added Rezková.

One reflective vest in the car is sometimes not enough

Traffic accidents have increased significantly in recent days. The driver was often surprised by bad weather. But how to behave when leaving the vehicle outside the village or in a crash?

Frost, mists, ice – this is the last day’s weather. And many drivers have experienced how they can torment themselves. However, if you become involved in an accident or if your car breaks down on the road, you should follow certain rules, otherwise, you are also subject to a fine!

Sometimes a reflective vest is not enough

In the Czech Republic, the law mandates to have one reflective vest in the car – for the driver. If your car breaks down or crashes, you have to put it on when you leave the car; this obligation does not apply to other passengers. But under the new rules, they must not be left completely without security elements.

The driver must wear a reflective vest, but if the rest of the passengers move on an unlit road outside the village, they must be equipped with reflective material elements, “says the trainer drivers Jaroslav Honshu. There is a fine of up to two thousand crowns for breaking the regulations.

In some cases, the rest of the crew must have a reflective vest, both in terms of company vehicles and employee transport. “Any employee who enters the road to repair a car must move around the car in a reflective safety vest,” explains Hons’ government decree, according to which the employer is obliged to secure a sufficient number of vests. “They can either be stored in the car or the employee can fascinate them before boarding the car,” he adds.

Czech regulations do not specify where a reflective vest with reflective tape must be stored. Drivers can keep it in the cabin of the car, but also the trunk. But be careful abroad. “In some neighboring states there is a condition that the reflective vest must be placed within the driver’s reach, it is not stipulated in our country,” adds Honsů. Abroad, you have to watch the mandatory equipment, which is often different from the Czech.

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 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.