Month: August 2017

“Reflections Day” – a pedestrian lane giving pedestrian glare

On January 25, 2017, for the first time in the whole country, including in the Lubes County, the “Reflections Day” was held for the first time. Police officers from the Road Traffic Command of the Lumbar Police Headquarters gave pedestrians and bicyclists reflective and reflective vest.

 

The Lumbar county road traffic preventive measures have been implemented to improve the safety of pedestrians. The officers gave unprotected road traffic to the reflexes and the bikers were provided with reflective vests. By law, any pedestrian who moves in the dusk on the road outside the built-up area is obliged to use reflective elements. Keep in mind that in the confrontation with the vehicle, the walker is always in a lost position. The bumper, the car mask and the airbag are not protected by it.

 

Hikers make a particularly vulnerable group of road users in the winter. There are always illuminated roads, lack of designated places for safe pedestrians on the road (especially outside built-up areas), and improper use of roads by pedestrians themselves, causing many accidents.

 

We appeal to pedestrians to take care of their safety during these dangerous months. Traffic policemen in reflective uniform will pay particular attention to the behavior of drivers in relation to pedestrians, but they will also watch closely whether the pedestrians do not break the rules of traffic.

Things to keep in the car – safety equipment

Often, during a car breakdown, a longer trip, or even a daily drive, there is a shortage that, although apparently trivial, could solve the problem at once. So what is it worth to have with you to feel comfortable in almost every situation, but at the same time do not play a car?

 

Mandatory and recommended equipment of the car

The catalog of useful things in the car without a doubt should start with those whose possession is required by Polish law. They are a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle. You do not have to explain that having these things is an absolute minimum for security. When choosing a triangle, it is important to note that it has the appropriate approval mark. Such products have a large reflective surface, which significantly increases our safety.

 

We also need to take care of the proper condition of the fire extinguisher. – According to the law, the fire extinguisher should be kept in a proper condition so that it works efficiently and efficiently. Moreover, it should be placed in a place easily accessible if needed, explains Inspector Mares from the Police Headquarters. In many European countries a reflective vest is also compulsory. In Poland this is not necessary, which does not mean that this element is superfluous? Interestingly, the required items also do not include first aid – this is only a recommended item. Nevertheless, it should appear with the basic elements in our car.

 

Useful tools in case of damage to the car may seem like unnecessary ballast only to the first failure. It is always a good idea to keep the items in your car in an emergency. These items include, for example, a set of keys, a tow rope, a pocket knife and a rectifier. You need to adapt the kit to the car model – you only have to bring with you the tools by which we are able to correct minor defects themselves. – New car models in many cases are only able to fix the specialist. Therefore, if we are not convinced that we can fix the problem, it is better to call for help – says Pewee, Auto Express consultant. It may also be useful to have spare parts such as a wheel or bulbs. If you decide to repair the problem yourself, you should bring accessories that will make it easier for us to work with. So we should pack the work gloves with reflective tape, the blanket for the car, and the torch.

 

Increase our visibility and security with reflective vest

As we promised in the previous article, once a month, we will be posting information about motorbike reflexes. For what? Let’s increase our visibility and thus improve our security. The time has come for news from the world of glitter. The first question should be “how are the glare”?

 

Retroreflexion – is the principle on which glare works. It consists in the fact that the light (such as the car’s reflector) bounces off the reflective material and returns to its source. Reflective materials are characterized by such a structure that the light is reflected in the direction of the closest one is that of which it falls (not only when it falls perpendicularly). The structure is made up of special elements placed on the material – glass microspheres or fine acrylic prisms.

 

Describing these technical details we had a specific goal. Since we already know how glare works, the next question should be, do all glare “shine”? Unfortunately not. Only certified glare “shine”. There are two ways to check if your motorcycle glare is working:

 

Take a picture with your flash phone flashing at a distance of about 6m. If you see a characteristic flash in your photo, your flashes are OK. After a few washings of your motorcycle clothing with reflective elements perform such a treatment again. If the image is the same effect, it means that your glare is of good quality. Unfortunately, it often happens that non-certified reflectors lose their value after several washings (fluorescent material and reflective tape lose their properties). The other way is to memorize this abbreviation – EN 471. If the reflectors are certified then the label should indicate that the product was made of EN 471 compliant material or that the product complies with EN 471.

 

How have you taken photos of different reflectors?

The creators of the Hen Vision campaign intentionally took pictures with a mobile phone with flash so that everyone could perform such a test themselves. Magazine where photos were taken – the light is minimized through the windows over the model.

 

We have two types of photos:

Light coming through the window + fluorescent light

Turn off the fluorescent light (imitation of the twilight)

Photos show how different glare is available on the market. It’s great that you want to ride in the glare. However, our article is to educate what to look for when buying reflective accessories.

 

What defines EN 471?

EN 471 – High Visibility Warning Clothing for Professional (Professional) Use. The standard specifies clothing requirements that visually signal the presence of the wearer to be seen and seen in hazardous conditions at night, daylight and headlights. Specifies the visibility class of the reflective, fluorescent material, and reflective grade depending on your reflectivity.

 

This article contains some technical information regarding glare. Maybe a bit boring, but very important and worth remembering. Why do we write about it? Because we have met several times with the actions of many companies, who wanted to promote their brand, they distributed various glare, most often vest. The objectives of the action were noble, but unfortunately these vests were often not certified, so they did not glitter in artificial light (eg in car headlights). So someone in Poland has developed and put on a reflective waistcoat to increase visibility. It moves in the dark in the dark, with the awareness of “I am visible”. And here a surprise – the glare does not “shine” and we have a tragedy.

 

If we are wearing reflective clothing, please note that our reflective motorcycle vests, belts or braces are certified and light. Motorcyclist “Let’s get noticed”.

 

Get more traffic regulations before you get a mandate

The Polish and Norwegian road codes are very similar to each other. However, differences in legislation, such as those relating to speeding, can cost us even 9,000 crowns from police in safety vest. Before you go on a car trip in Norway, get to know the rules in place on the road.

 

Are you going on a car trip in Norway? It’s good! We have prepared a guide on the main road rules you should know before you go to the fjords country.

The majority of Norwegian road rules are similar to Polish because both Poland and Norway signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. One aspect of the convention is that the police have no right to punish a foreign driver for moving in a country-specific vehicle but not enough from the point of view of the state he passes through.

 

Any driver who drives a car in Norway should have the following documents: driving license, vehicle card, ID card or passport, proof of ownership of the vehicle and a document confirming that the car is insured.

 

Warning triangle yes, fire extinguisher is not necessarily

In every car that travels in Norway, there must be: high beam deflectors, warning triangle and reflective waistcoat. It is recommended to have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher, but this is not compulsory. According to the Norwegian road rules, the passing beam must be switched on throughout the year. All car passengers must have belts. In addition, Norwegian law requires children under 150 cm to travel in a child-sized seat.

 

How soon will you go?

Speed limit in built-up area is 50 km / h, in some built-up areas it is reduced to 30 km / h. On motorways and highways, vehicles less than 3.5 tones can travel at 90-100 km / h (around Oslo up to 110 km / h). On other roads the speed is limited to 80 km / h.

In Norway it is better not to exceed the speed limit. Too fast driving can cost you a dime. The amount of penalties ranges from 600 to 9 thousand. The amount of credentials is set out in the Penal Code for traffic offenses

 

In addition to the high seats for speeding, the police can also stop driving.

Mandates are already in effect for over 1 km! Do not drink alcohol; do not talk on the phone. Drivers who drive in Norway “on gas” are waiting for very high mandates. The permissible limit for alcohol in the blood is 0.2.

 

It applies to drivers of all vehicles, including bicycles.

Norwegian medicines, which should not be carried out, are marked with red triangle packaging with reflective tape. As in Poland, a driver in Norway can use a mobile phone while driving, but cannot hold it in his hand. Speaking through a headset is allowed.

 

 

Wear a vest, helmet and lace does not matter

269 bikers rode with mounted distance measuring devices. Some of them rode in their daily clothes, others used traditional bodywork, and others dressed in a helmet or safety vest. The results of the experiment can be shocking – only one piece of clothing improves the safety of a cyclist (more specifically, it does not matter what distance the cars are ahead of us). This is a vest with the words “police”.

 

In measurements taken by universities in Bath and Brunner, the average distance between the cyclist and the car ahead of him was 117 centimeters – regardless of what the cyclist was wearing. Also regardless of the dress, 1-2% of drivers overtook cyclists without keeping a safe distance and driving only 50cm from them.

 

It has been further research showing that reflective vests, reflectors and other special clothing may improve the well-being of cyclists and drivers and allow more visible (though doubtful) conditions, but this in no way translates into a safer distance between the car and the cyclist.

If you want to increase your visibility and safety, the researchers suggest wearing a “police” vest (or “police”, because the study was done in the UK). These actually have a positive effect on the behavior of the drivers. The study showed that the police waistcoat increased the average distance between the bike and the car ahead of it by 122cm, or 5cm.

 

Unfortunately, the use of vests with the inscription Police by civilians is illegal in Poland. On the websites you can find a vest with the words “Poland”, “Police” or “I am from the Police” (“I’m from” written in a very small font), which from a distance imitatively imitate the high visibility vests used by our brave uniforms.

 

Regardless of how we dress on the bike, it is important to remember that dressing is much more important than how we behave on the road.

Safety equipments of car for winter holidays

The requirements for the equipment of a car traveling on Polish roads are the result of the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure and should be known to all who have passed the driving test. In the car you need a fire extinguisher (approved, with valid expiry date) and a warning triangle. Without these two elements, police control can cost a lot – from 20 to 500 gold. Not all drivers know that there is no obligation to have a first aid kit or reflective vest, though it is worth having them in the car.

 

Meanwhile, traveling around Europe involves the necessity to have more useful elements, other than in Poland. For example: you do not have to have a fire extinguisher everywhere. It is not compulsory in Switzerland. It is hard to imagine that someone crossing the border will throw it out of the car.

 

It is therefore imperative that you add the following items to your vehicle’s equipment, generally improving safety in case of emergency or unforeseen problems. And so, the main thing you need when traveling – apart from a triangle and a fire extinguisher – is a reflective vest. It is mandatory in many countries of the European Union, including: Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain, France and Slovakia. In some countries, such as Germany or Austria, in the event of a breakdown, you must not leave the car without a vest on highways or motorways. Switzerland, on the other hand, is harsh in terms of warning triangles, as regulations require two such security measures.

 

The absolutely unknown law in Poland is the necessity to carry spare bulbs with you. Many drivers from our country have them “just in case” but there are countries where they need to have them. This applies, inter alia, to Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Italy.

Scandinavian countries are not allowed to ride on “bald tires” – the tread thickness must be at least 1.6 millimeters, and in Spain blind drivers must drive in the car a second pair of glasses. Mountainous countries, in turn, require snow chains and require them to be used on certain roads.

 

The most restrictive and demanding country for motorized tourists is our neighboring Slovakia. Road law is exceptionally detailed in it. In addition to obvious requirements – such as having a triangle or fire extinguisher, you need to have spare fuses, bulbs, full-sized wheels, a lift, a wrench, and a tow rope. First aid kit in this country must be equipped with slices, dressings, isothermal foil, rubber gloves with reflective tape, safety pins and elastic bands.

 

The regulations on the compulsory equipment of the car in each country are slightly different, so before each trip make sure that we absolutely should take with us on the road.

 

Students in the “Reflective School”

Primary School for Stefan Cardinal again takes part in the competition “Reflective School“.

You are reading restricted access to the free articles of the Polish Journal 129 students of this educational institution listened with interest to the talk of asp. Jack from the Police Station is on the safe movement on the way to the school. A traffic knowledge contest was also organized. It’s already the seventh edition of the competition.

 

“Our school not only teaches, but also cares for the safety of its pupils,” says Bernadette Kansa.

– This year’s project started in September. We organized, among others. I’m safe “. In 2011, our school won the 1st place in the district in this contest.

 

“We decided to fight again, and hopefully it will be a rich experience again,” adds Kathryn and Lucia, teachers of early school education. 140 reflective vests have already hit pupils and preschoolers. The project’s completion is scheduled for October 28th. There will be prizes, and each student will receive a reflective stamp.

 

Police in safety vest control abroad

The holiday season is a big step, so it is time to travel around Poland and other countries. It is important to know what safety equipment must be on board our car during police inspections. It is important to remember that the requirements in Poland and abroad are very different.

 

Both in our country and abroad, we must be supplied primarily with a fire extinguisher and a warning triangle. Importantly, both components must bear the approval mark. Without a fire extinguisher and a triangle, there is a mandate risk of 20 to 500 zł. The fire extinguisher must be positioned so that it can be used immediately if necessary. The extinguishing agent content must be not less than 1 kg.

 

In Poland there is no requirement for a first aid kit and reflective vest, but it is certainly worth having in your car, for your own safety and for others. These elements are compulsory in the vast majority of EU countries, France, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic, Germany or Slovakia. Interestingly, in the latter vest is also required for the passenger.

 

Drivers often forget about the proper marking of the vehicle’s stoppage (during a malfunction or catching a rubber). For missing or incorrect signaling of the stoppage you have to pay a penalty of 150 zł, and on the motorways the tariff is expected to double the amount. This also applies to the marking of a towed vehicle.

 

France, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain and Slovakia – spare bulbs and safety vests are required in these countries. In France you also need two disposable breathers for the driver and the passenger. In Spanish we need spare glasses if we have information on mandatory use of glasses in our driving license.

 

Police encourage the wearing of reflective elements

The cycling season started. Cyclists are also road users and, in addition to their powers, also have obligations that they must respect for road safety. Therefore, we remind you of the most important rules and regulations for cyclists on the roads.

 

Cyclists with pedestrians are so called. Unprotected traffic participants. This means that they are not protected by bodywork, their vehicles are not protected by crush zones, and they do not have seat belts or airbags.

 

How to ensure safety on a paddock?

The cyclist in the light of the “Highway Code” is the driver and so I every road participant is obliged to comply with the regulations comply with the signs and traffic signals, commands and signals of the person entitled to drive traffic or control traffic. In the case of breach of these rules, it shall be governed by the general rules and may be subject to a fine in the form of a criminal mandate or proceedings before the Court.

 

It is also important to equip your bike with the obligatory equipment. According to the regulations in force the bike should be equipped with:

  1. At the front – at least one position light of white or yellow,
  2. At the back – at least one red non-triangular reflective light and at least one red spot light,
  3. At least one effective brake,
  4. in a bell or a warning signal of non-repetitive sound

 

For safety, you should also wear a safety helmet. Police officers also encourage the wearing of reflective elements and safety vest. This increases the visibility of cyclists on the roads and speeds up the response time of drivers. That way, seemingly important details can save someone’s life.

 

Rights and obligations of the cyclist:

  1. The cyclist is obliged to use the road for bicycles or cyclists’ bicycles if they are designated for the direction in which they are moving or intending to turn. Using the bicycle and pedestrian path, the cyclist is obliged to exercise extreme caution and give way to the pedestrian area.
  2. A child up to 7 years of age may be transported on a bicycle provided that it is placed on an extra seat for safe driving,
  3. Driving a bicycle is forbidden:

– driving along the road next to another participant traffic,

– driving without holding at least one hand on the steering wheel and legs on the pedals or footrests,

– sticking to other vehicles,

It is permissible to ride the bike on a roadside other than a bicycle or moped if it does not impede movement of other road users or otherwise jeopardizes road safety,

  1. However, the use of cyclists from the pavement or the pedestrian road is permitted exceptions:

– She carries a child (child) under the age of 10 who drives a bicycle.

– the width of the pavement along the road at which the vehicle is allowed to travel at more than 50 km / h and the sidewalk is 2 m and there is no dedicated bicycle path and lane for bicycles,

– Weather conditions threaten the safety of the cyclist on the roadway (snow, strong wind, heavy rain, and heavy fog)

  1. The driver of the bicycle, using the sidewalk or the pedestrian road, is obliged to drive slowly, take special care and give way to pedestrians.

 

It should be mentioned that the cyclist passes only once after the cyclists pass. In order to get to the other side of the road after the pedestrian crossing is obliged to descend from the bike – then leading him, pushing or pulling becomes a pedestrian. Driving along the sidewalk or pedestrian crossing is punishable by a fine of 100 zlotys.

 

Prohibitions:

– Driving a person in a state of intoxication, in a state of alcohol or alcohol-like action,

– Use while driving from a phone that requires holding the handset or microphone in hand – these prohibitions concern the driver – and therefore also the cyclist.

– At the present moment a person in the state of intoxication or in the state after the use of alcohol commits an offense, which is punishable by a fine of between 300 and 500 zloty, a penalty of arrest or a ban on bicycles.

 

Adhering to traffic rules, tact, culture and respect for other road users are safety elements that will allow you to move safely not only bikers but also drivers of other vehicles and pedestrians.

 

The mother of the perpetrator despairs after the tragedy

The prosecutor applied for a temporary detention for a 42-year-old who drunk into a 55-year-old cyclist without any safety equipment. A dramatic accident occurred at night from 26 to 27 May.

Manes S. († 55 years old) was found by her unconscious husband. Her husband found her on May 27, 7.45. The woman was still breathing, but she was not in contact. Her spouse immediately called for an ambulance, but despite resuscitation, she was unable to save her.

 

This content appealed to the daughter of a woman on the social network:

“Please help!!!! He killed my mother on Mother’s Day – help us find him!!!

On the night of Friday, 26.05 / 27.05, around midnight in New Soothe, my car hit my mom who was coming back from work on a bicycle.

The perpetrator ran away from the accident!

The bike was lit and mom was wearing a reflective vest. She returned from work with Gabo, drove 10 km, and her last 300 m to her home…

The car was moving from Stare Socotra towards Kuban.

On the road there are no signs of braking!!!!!!!!

On the roadside you can see traces of wheels…

 

As a result of my deduction, my mother suffered an open fracture of her left leg and bleeding in a ditch until dawn, when an aid, ambulance, helicopter arrived. I do not even want to think how much she suffered for 8 hours in the ditch….

Unfortunately it was too late!!!!

And if he stopped, he called for help Mom could live!!!!!!!!

There was a part of the bumper, a cracked lamp that the Police had secured.

If you know anything about the matter, you have seen a car with a broken lamp, broken bumper – Please contact me or the Police! ”

 

At the scene of the accident the police and the prosecutor worked. Investigators on the road, the shoulder and the ditch found elements from an unknown vehicle. They also asked about the local residents. – It was established that the association with the event may have a Volkswagen golf-driving vehicle that was probably headed by a 42-year-old man. It was stopped. All indications are that the critical night, in the company of other men, consumed alcohol. But he did not want to undergo an alkahest study. Blood samples were taken and the results will be known in the near future, “said Krzysztof Korana in reflective clothing, spokesman for the District Prosecutor’s Office in Lodz.

 

A man has heard charges of causing a lethal accident with a fatal result, combined with an escape from the scene of the incident. During the hearing, he did not plead guilty. The prosecutor applied to the court for his temporary detention. At the Department of Forensic Medicine in Lodz on Tuesday, May 30, there will be a woman’s corpse section. Its results will allow a detailed diagnosis of the scale of injuries and the cause of death. It is likely that the woman for a few hours after the deduction, without the help of other people, with serious injuries lying in the ditch. The identified open fracture indicates bleeding. The expert also does not exclude head injuries – says pros.