Tag: reflective vests

Explained what drivers forget to do when a car crashes on the road

Drivers who stop in the event of an accident or accident on the road often underestimate the circumstances and fail to take care of their safety, confident driving professionals. Making sure they are perfectly visible, they often carelessly enter the driveway, even at dusk, which results in serious injuries or even death.

There is no shortage of cases of passing car accidentally losing drivers in the car they drive. Many accidents occur during the dark hours of the day, as although the car must have a reflective vest sew on reflective tape and be worn when leaving the vehicle, the frequent driver does not have one at all or is so far away that it is not possible to reach it quickly.

Trouble is because people do not appreciate such situations properly. Here is how I saw the accident today while driving home in Vilnius: “a small car collided with a minibus. The minibus driver stopped in the far left of the road and ran across the road to the right lane to ask if everything was OK with the other driver. And they did it all on the street, where the traffic flow is 80 km / h. and faster,” said Olga Zidovlenkova, an instructor at the driving school Amplius LT, grinning. First of all, she said, drivers need to realize that in the event of a breakdown, something should stop as far as possible. Even when the car door is stopped in the street, the instructor says, you have to check that there are no passers-by and can block the car. Finally, you should only get out of the car when it is safe to do so. The reflective vest must always be readily accessible to the driver. “And be sure to wear a vest with reflective material. This must always be in hand in the car. In the worst-case scenario, the driver should at least put on a few reflectors before driving on the street,” the interviewer said. Also, the instructor reminded that when the car is forcibly stopped, the Road Traffic Code (KET) states that it is mandatory to turn on the hazard warning light. “The car must blink, and if the emergency lights aren’t on, then a flashlight on the back of the phone can be placed so that passers-by can navigate,” she said. Forgotten Emergency Stop Signs The instructor spoke if there is no emergency light, it is defective, or if the car is stopped where the car is stopped by other road users less than 100 meters away, it is mandatory to park it on the side of the carriageway. emergency stop sign.

It is specified that in settlements such a sign should be placed at least 25 meters away from a stopped vehicle and outside settlements at least 50 meters away. If the car breaks down, you need to make sure that it is visible and wait for assistance while standing still on the sidewalk where it is safe. “However, very often people forget this rule and don’t make the triangle at all. Although I would say that sometimes two such signs would come in handy, one farther away, the other closer, because often passing cars overtake or cross the sign and are no longer visible. It turned out that truck drivers often use two signs,” commented the specialist. Not for safety, but for roadworthiness Finally, according to O. Zhidovlenkova, some accidents happen because drivers and passengers of a broken car are parked in the driveway for some reason. “Without reflective vests, especially in the weather like now, early morning or evening, they are simply invisible. If the car breaks down, you need to make sure that it is visible and wait for assistance while standing still on the sidewalk where it is safe,” the specialist emphasized.

The driving instructor also had complaints about uninhibited drivers, who do not realize that the list of must-have items on the car is not just listed on the KET itself. “It seems to everyone, for example, that the same reflective vests should be worn for maintenance and not for their safety. It has been repeatedly seen when drivers borrow everything they should have before the roadworthiness test. Probably if you stopped ten cars on the street right now, maybe only three would have everything mandatory,” a traffic safety expert predicted.

Cyclists required to wear a reflective vest

Lithuanian police point out that in recent days there has been a misrepresentation of 2014 in the public sphere. July 1 some provisions of the Republic of Lithuania Law on Road Traffic Safety have come into force.

This concerns Article 17 of this law – Requirements for bicycle riders. Cyclists must wear a bright-colored reflective vest with reflective tapes during daylight hours or have a white light at the front and a red light at the rear. It should be noted that this requirement applies only to the carriageway. When cycling, side walking or sidewalks (this innovation for sidewalks is part of the newly drafted Road Traffic Code), you do not need to wear reflective vests or ride with bicycle lights on.

Article 2 (55) of the Road Safety Law defines the term “bright-colored vest with reflective elements”. This is not only a yellow, orange or red vest but also another garment of the upper body (neck to waist) with reflective materials visible to other road users from all sides. By deliberately silencing these details, the public is encouraged to oppose these measures to improve traffic safety.

Bicycle path infrastructure in Lithuania is not yet well developed, as in most of the old EU Member States, where the main bicycle traffic is done by bicycle paths, not the driveway. Also, in such countries, road users themselves are actively concerned with their safety, which makes it a common practice for them to wear a brightly colored vest and safety helmet.

Police recalled that 9 bicycle drivers have already been killed in traffic accidents in Lithuania this year, including 7 in daylight hours, injuring 160 of them, including 135 in daylight hours. Police officers believe that the health and life of every person are more important than certain constraints or inconveniences, in the interests of road users.

Protect Children on the Road – Protect Me

Twenty years after the Protect Me campaign – twice as few children injured, four times as many killed Protect me, the longest-running social responsibility campaign in the country, will take place this year for the 20th time. As every year, its organizers invite all road users to be extremely careful on the road, thus protecting children on their way to school and home. According to the data of the Lithuanian Road Police Service, the number of killed children has quadrupled in 20 years, and twice as many were injured. The number of injured children traveling on foot alone reached 634 in 2000, and in 2018 dropped to 202 injured children. The Protect Me campaign also contributes to improving numbers. Every September, the initiative “Protect Me”, which takes care of the safety of children on the roads, is organized by Vilnius City Municipality, the largest insurance company in Lithuania “Lietuvos dramas” and its partners – Vilnius County Police and other municipalities in the country. Lietuvos Draudimas, the initiator of “Protect Me”, as well as annually ensures all schoolchildren of the country against road accidents for 5 thousand. amount of EUR. Personal insurance coverage for schoolchildren is available from September 1 to September 30 throughout the country for 24/7 hiking and cycling. In total, over 322,000 students will be covered this year. This year, in cooperation with the municipalities of twelve cities, this year the insurance company 13 thousand. elementary school students will don light reflective vests.

Traffic focus in Vilnius Every year after the summer holidays, traffic, especially in the big cities, intensifies as thousands of schoolchildren return to the streets. In the city of Vilnius, the municipality, in anticipation of the new school year, is implementing measures to improve road safety on the streets, which reduce the likelihood of accidents, encourage drivers to comply with speed requirements, and consider other road users. More than 100 speeding hills, 70 directional lights, and other road safety improvement elements have been installed in the streets, near educational institutions, pedestrian crossings and junctions and other dangerous places. Almost 100 pedestrian crossings have been newly marked with the “Protect Me” label to protect children’s safety and to draw the attention of drivers to educational institutions. By facilitating the movement of pupils, transport is improved by building cycle paths, sidewalks and restructuring existing infrastructure. Yellow lines also mark areas of street intersections, 75 intersections, update existing street signage, introduce safer and more informative traffic arrangements at the Volunteer roundabout. The municipality has bought and will distribute about 2400 signal vests and 4000 reflectors to the students of Vilnius city. “Together with our partners, we look for solutions every year to help raise awareness of child safety on the road. In recent years, we have included seniors on duty at school crossings to help children cross the streets safely. We share reflectors and reflective vests with reflective tape  for children, with an emphasis on safe cycling. These initiatives and actions bring results, but we not only have to teach children in theory, but they also have to implement practical knowledge on how to be safe. along the way. Not all adults, and especially children, know how to ride scooters correctly and safely. I want to encourage adults to set a good example for children and to behave correctly on the road, and to wish children a safe school year,” says Deputy Mayor Edita Tamošiūnaitė. Crossings near schools are marked with a special yellow campaign sign across Lithuania. There are more than a thousand of them this year. The sign is already recognized by the vast majority of drivers and pedestrians. Insured every student Lietuvos draudimas reminds that students and their parents or guardians do not need to apply for insurance to come into effect – every child is already insured. In the event of a traffic accident in which the pupil is injured, his parents or guardians should notify Lietuvos dramas at short number 1828 or via the company’s website www.ld.lt and the victim will be compensated. “The Protect Me campaign takes care of children returning to the streets and roads every year after the summer holidays. With this initiative, we encourage all adults to take responsibility for the little road users and to protect them by disciplining them for carelessly running across the street and setting the right example for themselves,” says Kęstutis Šerpytis, CEO of Lietuvos Draudimas. For the third year in the Protect Me campaign, Lietuvos Draudimas has been donating reflective vests to the beginners of smaller towns and districts. During this time, the safety of 33 district primaries has already been taken care of, with 34 thousand vests distributed to them. “This year we donated light reflective vests to make their trips safer. Light reflective vests with reflective material are one of the simplest but highly effective means of ensuring pedestrian safety on the road. They are especially needed during the autumn and winter season when it gets dark quickly – wearing a vest can protect against a severe disaster both in the city and in the country,” says Kęstutis Šerpytis, CEO of Lietuvos Draudimas.

The situation is getting better According to Saulius Gagas, Chief of Vilnius County Police Headquarters, the situation on Lithuanian roads as well as in the city of Vilnius is improving – fewer and fewer children are injured and killed in road accidents. No children died in the capital during the first half of this year, and the number of injured has decreased compared to the same period last year. As the new school year begins, officers of the Vilnius County Police Headquarters will traditionally pay special attention to ensuring traffic safety, especially near schools and preschools. Officials are urging drivers to be extra vigilant and reduce speed on the streets, especially when passing schools or preschools. “The safety of all our children also depends on an adult’s responsible approach to traffic culture. The most effective way to teach safe behavior on the streets and highways is to set an example for our children,” says Saulius Gagas, the Vilnius County Police Chief.

Don’t change your healthy lifestyle against road safety

Cycling and jogging are the most popular outdoor activities in Latvia. However, only slightly more than half of them use means to be noticeable on the road and reduce the likelihood of being involved in a road accident. Active citizens have been shown to take greater care of children by providing them with reflective vests and reflectors, while not paying as much attention to their safety.

The survey shows that 68% of active people in Latvia are engaged in cycling and 37% in jogging. Hiking (33%), dog walking (15%) and Nordic walking (5%) are also popular activities. The main reasons for these activities are people maintaining themselves in good shape, improving their health, and the bicycle is also used as a way of movement.

More than half (52%) of active people engage in outdoor activities throughout the year, regardless of the weather, while 39% opt for the warm and dry months of the year. Most, or 63%, of those surveyed, do these activities in the evening after work, and almost a third in the morning.

Less than one third, or 31%, use high visibility reflective vests with reflective tapes to enhance their safety. The most popular means are the use of luminaires (53%), the use of reflectors and other reflective accessories (46%), but 4% of the respondents rely on the reflective materials in their clothing.

Statistics from the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) for 2018 report that 625 cyclists and 867 pedestrians were injured in road accidents in Latvia last year. By contrast, the number of fatal cyclists in 2018 was 9 and the number of pedestrians was 51. Lack of visibility is mentioned as one of the main causes of accidents, resulting in drivers noticing the cyclist or pedestrian too late.

Why in the dark the driver is always right

The new Traffic Rules, which are being promoted in the draft law on traffic and its safety, have not removed the obligation from the pedestrian to make themselves visible at the pedestrian crossing. Police investigators say this moment avoids punishment for drivers who beat a man on a “zebra” in the dark. There are many illuminated pedestrian crossings in Vinnytsia, which are known both by Vinnytsia who is traveling by transport and by those who are moving on their own two. The editorial board tried to find the most dangerous of the zebras with the help of experts. And yet – to find out whether the city authorities are going to eliminate the problem of darkness at pedestrian crossings once and for all. The blood near Ferida Plaza. A motorcyclist knocked down a girl at a crosswalk. It was in the dark. And not on the darkest zebra in town. But there are dozens like this headline in the news feed 20minut.ua. Only this year, according to the regional police, 34 people were killed in traffic accidents involving pedestrians, and 6 were killed. In the same period last year, there were twice as many people killed in road crashes with pedestrians. Drivers the journalist spoke to, exploring the problem of illumination of unregulated pedestrian crossings, said: most of them in the outskirts of the city. The center helps to see pedestrians driving the street lights. And out of town – it’s dark, though in the eye. “At the bypass, near Kurochka cafe and the police department, there the cars go off at all and never stop. The only way out is to install signs that are illuminated by lanterns in the dark, or pedestrians need to wear light-reflecting vests with reflective tape,” says Vinnytsia activist Andrei Gaidai.

The refractive elements on pedestrians’ belongings and clothing will not be overturned by the new Traffic Regulations, which are promoted in the draft law “On Traffic and its Safety”. According to one of its authors, human rights activist Volodymyr Karavaev, the new rules ask for pedestrian crossings to be marked in two ways at the same time – by a road marking and a warning sign. “The legislation now requires a pedestrian crossing with signs or markings. We insist – both signs and markings. This is a fundamental difference,” the human rights activist explains. “We bring back the practice that used to be when pedestrian crossings were safer. But he agrees that sometimes the signs are not visible – they cover up tree branches or over time lose the ability to reflect the headlights of cars.

“I drove from Vinnytsia along the Zhytomyr highway and paid attention to the signs – they are not visible. Either they do not have reflective properties at all, or they merge,” says Vladimir Karavaev. “These are not new routes! As for urban conditions, it is not necessary to say that the driver will see a pedestrian on an unlit road. 90 percent will not see, because no one simply rubs the signs. They are covered with dust and dirt and they do not reflect light properly. This is another problem,” continues the human rights activist. The police are not trained to give a clear assessment of the circumstances of the accident. If the car knocked down a pedestrian at such a crossing, as you say, the police will blame the driver. It will not be understood that the driver ran into the man because he did not see a sign that has not been wiped for ten years. If such cases were held responsible for those responsible for the state of the roads, then the situation would change. So do new rules change for pedestrian safety? What do they say about illuminating unregulated pedestrian crossings? They also oblige pedestrians to make sure there are no vehicles and make themselves visible in the dark before crossing the road. At the last moment, an investigator specializing in the investigation of resonant road accidents with deaths told the journalist that the suspected drivers could be avoided. The protection of the pedestrian-hit driver always tries to prove the victim’s mistake in this way. Like, he did not provide his visibility, as required by the rules, then he is guilty. “Physically, forcing our pedestrians to wear reflective vests is simply unrealistic,” says Vladimir Karavaev. There are traffic lights everywhere, one of them, near the former brewery, works around the clock, and has good lighting in the dark. However, students at this school are well aware of the fact that flickers (or fliers) were given to them by the reflectors of the liquidated service last year, and the children were used to wear them constantly. “I have flickered on my hen and my backpack,” says Maxim, a fourth-grade student at Gymnasium No. 6. “And my classmates all wear things that glow in the dark. It’s cool. And we also know that the drivers see us from afar. From a distance, pedestrians can also be seen on the crosswalks that are on Zodiac Street. No, the residents of Podillya do not wear flicker.”

“There is a need for lighting, but it must be done very carefully,” says human rights activist Karavayev. If you do not work out a single standard for illumination of non-regulated pedestrian crossings, then you can adjust the firewood. Someone would spin a 40-watt light bulb to shine somewhere in the transition area and assume that there was the lighting. This light bulb does not affect. There are now transitions, apparently illuminated, but there is still no pedestrian there. Have the only rules to cover “zebras”. We ask Volodymyr Karavaev if the number of transient accidents will reduce the lighting projects currently underway in Kyiv.

“If we don’t do the transition lighting, everything will be a plus. Definitely, without doing anything, we will not change the situation,” says the human rights activist. “In Europe, they have come up with a lot of novelties that can be borrowed. But everything is based on financing, as always in our country. It should also be understood that lighting is not the only problem,” continues the interlocutor. On the brightest sunny day, pedestrians also get under the cars. They arrange problems for themselves. They are beaten by the tens every month. And they cannot understand at all that they must take care of their safety. Here it will be winter, it will be slippery, and they will also go out on the carriageway in front of the car, with absolutely not even looking in the direction of the car. At the same time, there will be earphones in the ears sticking out, a hood will be worn on the head, which completely covers the inspection.

European Child Safety: Schools Start to Get Reflective Vests

Vest Propagation Project Launched by National Traffic Injury Prevention Program for Children and Youth.

49 metropolitan schools began to receive reflective vests for children of grades 1-3 from public activists and the Patrol Police within the framework of the project “Express Yourself”. The Vest Propagation Project was initiated by the National Traffic Injury Prevention Program for Children and Youth. Information partner of the national Glavcom program.

Activists say that reflective vests are needed for schoolchildren when they go to school outside school. By dressing the toddler in such bright vests, the babies become well visible to drivers, other road users and those who accompany them. This is especially important when moving along roads, or when crossing a carriageway, dangerous intersections, and so on.

Which general educational institutions will receive reflective vests, was selected by the patrol police of Ukraine together with school administrations and representatives of the Traffic Challenge. Among the selection criteria, there should be dangerous driving areas near these schools. Such a school is, in particular, the 266th comprehensive educational institution. Police and activists handed over to the school 1 set (30 pieces) of vests. “There is a very busy track near this school. There are many pedestrian crossings, but children still run straight across the street. Now, going for walks throughout the class, children will be able to be seen at a great distance thanks to these vests,” explains patrol police inspector Louise Sidelnikov.

According to her, there are also categories of schools that have very active administrations that actively teach children road safety.

The police say that the practice of vest distribution in Ukrainian schools has not been done so far. But wearing such reflectors is a pan-European practice.

“The traffic rules state that when a pedestrian is on the roadway or moving along the road in the dark, they must stand out, that is, have reflective elements on their outer clothing. Of course, we do not follow these rules,” Siedelnikova stresses.

Traffic Challenge chairman Olga Drobysheva says the problem is that people do not even understand the importance of wearing reflectors on clothing and vests.

“It is important for people to understand that this is saving lives. When we were little, we were not taught in schools or universities, or even in driving courses, how close we are as drivers to see a pedestrian without reflective materials in their clothes. For example, a person in dark clothing can be seen from a distance of 5 to 30 meters, depending on weather conditions. But 30 meters is a very short distance for the car to brake. Because the braking distance of the car is an average of 3 seconds. This is unless we have ice and a good dry road,” Drobysheva says.

Therefore, children should be dressed in bright colors. Then they are visible in the daytime under good weather conditions up to 100 meters away.

In many European countries, wearing reflective vests by adults in adverse weather conditions is a prerequisite for traffic regulations. And it is important to have reflective fabrics on clothing in, for example, Poland and the Baltic States. Their absence is punishable by fines.

Activists argue that such vests should be in all schools. The vests have already been handed over to most of the schools planned, and the vests will be in Chernihiv next week. Messages from teachers and parents from all over Ukraine began to arrive at us. They want to have these vests to send their children on excursions, school walks and more.

In total, 8,000 light-reflecting vests will be distributed in 10 oblasts of Ukraine within the framework of the “Manifest Yourself” project.

Big police action kicks off

It is an old year and many today will embark on a trip, visiting family, organized New Year’s Eve, and some people will go further, whether at home or abroad. Also, last-minute shopping can cause additional stress, resulting in a lack of concentration and nervousness in traffic, with traffic jams in shopping malls.

Also, increased traffic and congestion are expected on all major thoroughfares, as well as at border crossings.

Unfortunately, in the Old Year last year and the first hours of New 2018, we recorded an increase in the number of traffic accidents involving fatalities, more specifically in four road accidents five people were killed.

For this reason, we would like to remind you of the tips for drivers, which we always repeat during the holidays when there are crowds and congestion:

Don’t rush, take the time and go on a journey sooner rather than cause a traffic accident,

Prepare your vehicle and yourself for the journey, especially if you are going for the long haul,

Get up-to-date on road conditions and traffic flow, as well as weather conditions that may affect you while traveling,

Observe traffic rules and regulations, do not initiate risky vehicle actions (e.g., off-peak traffic, vehicle column overtaking),

Adjust the speed to the road conditions and keep to its limits,

Keep the distance you need when moving behind another vehicle,

Pass pedestrians and exercise caution and slow down when approaching pedestrian crossings.

Tips for drivers who have consumed alcohol:

Leave your car parked properly and walk away – it will benefit you and you will not endanger anyone,

Use public transit,

Use taxi services because it will be far safer and cheaper,

If you are in the company, arrange in advance who will stay sober and drive back,

Ask someone sober to drive you,

Do not sit behind the wheel for at least 24 hours after drinking a large amount of alcohol,

While driving under the influence of alcohol, you are not only endangering yourself but also other road users,

On nights of high risk (weekend), drive slower and more cautiously, whether you drink or not,

Remember that no reason is warranted for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.

In addition to the driver, we also have some tips for pedestrians and cyclists:

Specifically, in winter, when days are shorter and visibility is often reduced due to weather conditions (fog, cloudy, precipitation), pedestrians are more difficult to spot for drivers.

Therefore, we advise everyone, especially older pedestrians, to wear lighter clothing or at least one garment in a lighter color to increase their visibility and thus directly affect their traffic safety. In addition to lighter clothing, we also recommend the use of reflective details (reflective vests, reflective hand straps with reflective tapes or socks) for both pedestrians and cyclists, whose visibility is also reduced in the winter. Bicycle traffic has declined during the winter, however, a significant number of people continue to use it as a means of transport, which is why unlighted bikes and cyclists without reflective clothing are at increased risk of road traffic accidents.

The police have acted intensely throughout December, which will continue today, as well as throughout this week, and will focus its activities on preventing and sanctioning the most serious offenses, in particular, the so-called “offenses”. The “four major traffic killers” (alcohol, speed, seat belt, and cellphone) and, according to repeat offenders, repeat offenders.

In addition to the police, motorists, like all other road users, with their responsible behavior, can also contribute to increasing the level of road safety.

Cyclists, do not underestimate the reflective elements or helmet

The most common mistakes of cyclists include riding without lights and reflective elements or cycling outside the village without a helmet. According to police spokeswoman Denisa Balogh, driving in groups side by side or driving under the influence of alcohol is not exceptional either. What rules should cyclists follow during their journeys?

It is important, for example, to wear reflective vests, especially at night and in low visibility. “Reflective material can be seen at a distance three times longer than white clothing and more than ten times that of blue clothing. By using reflective elements, cyclists extend the distance over which the driver can see them,” the spokeswoman explains.

At the same time, Balogh recalls that children under the age of 10 can only ride a bicycle unattended on a cycling path, a dirt road, a forest road, or a residential area. Otherwise, they must be under the supervision of a person over 15 years of age who must also be sufficiently competent to supervise them. “When traveling with children, of course, there should be helmets, leg guards and reflective fabrics on clothing,” he adds.

The helmet must have children under 15 years in the village. Other cyclists are obliged to wear it only outside the village. It is important to ensure that cyclists only drive one behind the other on the side or on the edge of the road. “Two cyclists can only walk along the bicycle path, and only if they do not restrict and endanger other road users,” says Balogh.

At the same time, the police appealed to drivers to be considerate of cyclists. “We all know that in the case of a cyclist versus a car, the less protected participant always pulls the shorter end. Therefore, it is important that the driver of the motor vehicle anticipates what he can do if necessary and responds adequately,” Balogh points out.

“Maintain sufficient lateral distance from cyclists to prevent them, counting with caution, poor eyesight, and hearing, especially of older people. While driving, pay close attention to the right side of the road because of the most likely occurrence of cyclists,” he continues. At the same time, it points out that a right-hand driver is obliged to give priority to a straight-rider. This is not only for the tram driver.

10 road rules you must follow this fall

Summer has said “no” to the sunny and warm day, giving the relay to the next season. In autumn, lower temperatures are often associated with ground frost, fog, and reduced visibility.

All road users must be prepared for difficult road conditions by more frequent fogs, rain and, as a result, on wet or icy roads. It is better to be prepared than surprised, so the police are bringing ‘ten’ useful tips that will help to drive safely and reach a happy destination.

1. The most common mistakes of pedestrians – sudden entry into the road from the sidewalk without looking around, poor estimation of the distance and speed of the vehicle, crossing off the passage (often even cross four lanes), underestimating reflective tapes on clothing.

The right response – to anticipate, to cross the road at designated locations, to avoid risky sections, not to climb over railings, not to risk. The obligation of pedestrians walking on the side of the road or on the edge of the road to wear reflective elements or wearing reflective safety clothing not only outside the village but also in the village in low visibility.

2. Police Recommendation – Use reflective elements on the side of the body that faces the road (not the shoulder). Reflective items should be placed best close to the knees and at waist level, on the shoulders, cyclists also on helmets and bicycles. Reflective stickers stick to shoe soles, bikes, skates, helmets, scooters, school bags, crutches or strollers. Children’s clothing, school bags, and accessories equipped with reflective and fluorescent safety features.

3. The most frequent mistakes of cyclists – without lights, without reflective elements, cycling outside the village without a helmet (under 15 years also in the village), on the wrong side of the road and driving in groups side by side and driving under the influence of alcohol.

The right response – to keep track of what is happening around you and always make sure of safe passage, to give you a visible and timely signal of your hands-on changing direction, use of helmets and protectors, reflective elements.

4. Police recommendation – if parents take a child on a bicycle trip, the child must always be in front of them to be able to influence their driving by giving them a warning. Care must be taken to ensure that his health is adequately protected – by a helmet, limbs, reflective elements on clothing. In case of bad weather (iceberg, snow) use other means of transport.

5. Aquaplaning – there is more water between the tire and the road than the tread can handle, the car “floats” and becomes unmanageable.

Correct response – leg out of gas, depress the clutch. Align the steering wheel until the tire touches the road. Hold the steering wheel with both hands and do not risk overtaking.

6. Fog – difficult driving conditions with reduced visibility, wet road.

Correct response – reduce speed, increase the distance between vehicles. Switch on the fog lights, while driving in the columns, the first and the last in the row are sufficient to avoid blinds of other drivers.

7. Beast – risk especially at night and in the morning, unexpectedly and unpredictably.

The right response – avoid the obstacle at high speed. The consequences of skidding may be greater than the collision itself, especially when driving on a motorway.

8. Agricultural machinery – dirty road from mud and leaves, increased risk of skidding.

The right response – anticipate, reduce speed, pay particular attention to preventing heavy machinery.

9. Fruit pickers – trees on the roads attract “pickers”, comfortable bikes on the road, bikes, running children and adults in dark clothes.

The correct reaction of drivers – increase caution, monitor the situation, reduce speed.

The correct reaction of pantographs – reflective vests, belts, caps, whatever makes them visible to the driver and ensures that their “vehicles” do not endanger others.

10. Police recommendation – in difficult weather conditions to predict in particular, adjust speed to weather and your abilities, monitor the situation especially around stops, schools and shopping centers, where the movement of pedestrians and cyclists is increased. Give them a preference where they have it.

A new training ground for safe road traffic donated by EKO petrol stations

The good mood of the first-graders was enhanced by the introduction of their new road safety training ground.

The facility is a donation from EKO Bulgaria and is an expression of the company’s long-standing traditions to familiarize the youngest road users with the rules of road safety.

The site is 10×4 meters in size and is a small town whose streets are equipped with road signs, pedestrian paths, and traffic lights. In addition to becoming a favorite playground for kids, the playground’s main function is to educate and prepare them for the challenges of the road environment.

The Executive Director of EKO Bulgaria Georgi Deyanov is pleased to participate in the official opening of the new school year. He addressed the first graders with the words: “The road ahead is a long way in both literal and figurative sense. For this reason, it is extremely important that you are well versed in traffic rules along with this and all other roads. Good luck!”.

After the introductory ceremony, Mr. Deyanov personally led the first students to the newly opened training ground. With his help, they made it through all the makeshift intersections and made an excellent demonstration to their peers.

The first-graders also received many practical and educational gifts, such as reflective vests, a safe road guide for Class Hours, greeting cards and color pencils.