Employees of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Kazan conducted an experiment for journalists, they showed how far in the dark a driver might notice a pedestrian. The inspectors also told which light-reflecting elements are most effective in the dark.
“These are cute reflective face stickers, which children and adults really like, unfortunately, quickly come off. Bracelets seem to be comfortable, but they tend to get lost. Plus, in order to designate a child on the roadway, at least 4 bracelets are needed – on each hand and on legs, so that the driver from afar can determine that a person is moving in front of him, and not some mysterious luminous object. The best thing is the reflective vest,” said Oksana Kononenko, senior inspector for the promotion of OGIBDD of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Kazan.
The vest covers most of the child’s body and is very visible in the dark. It contains wide reflective tapes. Inspectors recommend combining reflective elements – wear a vest, along with bracelets, for example. Then the child will be very noticeable in the dark.
“This year, 166 road traffic accidents involving children were registered in Kazan. Unfortunately, 2 people died as a result of an accident. One of them – a 15-year-old teenager, who crossed the roadway in the dark, unfortunately, he was not marked by reflective elements. The driver did not have the opportunity to notice him in time and avoid a collision,” said Oksana Kononenko.
In order for children not to refuse to wear light-reflecting elements, inspectors recommend holding various games with them. For example, to convince a child that he will be the brightest and most noticeable. Manufacturers go to meet the buyer and put on the market “funny” reflective elements.
At the beginning of the experiment, DPS inspectors placed children with reflective stripes and adults without such stripes at a distance of 50, 100 and 150 meters. Turn on the main beam headlights of the car. An adult on 50 meters was not visible at all, which cannot be said about children.
Reflective materials glittered and 150 meters. The vests were clearly visible, but the child with the bracelets and stickers could not be noticed.
“In both cases, the vest was visibly better. Here, apparently, well, well, from afar. And if it’s just a small sticker – even it is not clear what it is,” said driver Sergey Novoseltsev.
“The vest is visible from afar and the person is immediately noticeable. Bracelets do not immediately catch the eye. When my children grow up, I will buy them such. In the suburban areas of the road it is very useful,” the driver Ilfat Islamov said.
“The experiment is timed to the ‘Safety Week’, which is held throughout Russia as part of the VI International Congress ‘Road Safety – for the Safety of Life’. And one of the key issues that experts around the world are discussing is the safety of pedestrians on the roadway. For large cities, a pedestrian hit has become a very common type of accident, especially at night. And now, when autumn has come, the early twilight, dark time in the day more. And children go to different circles, sections. And one of the most effective ways to protect children, proven in many countries, is the retro-reflective elements,” said Oksana Kononenko, senior inspector for the propaganda of OGIBDD of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Kazan.
Results of the experiment – stickers justified themselves. Bracelets cope more or less but do not give a hundred percent picture. Best of all – a safety vest. However, the most noticeable child is the one on whose clothes there are several light-reflecting elements at once. Such a child will definitely be noticed on the road.
It should be noted that the wearing of reflective elements outside the settlements is mandatory for both adults and children. For their absence, DPS inspectors may issue a fine.