Month: January 2018

Should not forget the reflective vest on the way

On the way to the sea watch out for high fines abroad. Therefore, drivers have to pay attention, for example, to using directional lights in Austria. In Austria, drivers, in addition to directional lights for which they are not likely to be fined more than two thousand Euros, should not forget the reflective vests.

 

The use of directional lights in Austria is subject to a fine of EUR 2180 (almost 60 thousand crowns). The police give this highest penalty in case you cause a road accident or someone to endanger your life. Reflective jackets must be in the vehicle and not in the trunk. This is fine for example in Austria or Germany.

 

“When traveling to Italy, you must have a mandatory vest for everyone in the vehicle,” ÚAMK said on its website. “In Austria, the vest is compulsory only for drivers, but for others in the vehicle it is recommended. However, if they have to stop and leave the vehicle on the local road or motorway, it is obligatory to have a reflective vest for anyone who leaves the car. “Unlike the Czech Republic, the warning vest is in some countries subject to traffic regulations and not a vehicle prescription.

 

In Slovenia, drivers have to pay attention to a fine for failing to sign a motorway toll, which can reach up to 800 Euros (21,600 crowns). When paying a penalty for driving without a token mark within eight days, the amount of the fine is reduced by half. This is similar when paying a fine on the spot. But this is the only way to reduce the sanction, Vice said, with police attempts in Slovenia to try to cope with lower penalties as an attempt at corruption.

 

The Mediterranean countries at a driving distance are still the most sought-after holiday destinations for Bohemia. Croatia visited 721 thousand tourists last year, about half a million went to Italy. More than 280,000 Czech tourists went to Austria and a hundred thousand less to Hungary.

Reflect the vest for the new traffic rules

As early as July, police are beginning to scrutinizing and fining. There are also tightened rules for entering the emission zones of some German cities. Three and a half years after the obligation to carry a reflective vest in the Czech Republic began to apply; the same regulation will enter into force in Germany. From 1 July, when it begins to pay, the police are going to start scrutinizing and collecting fines.

 

In addition, the entry-level rules of certain German cities are tightened. Many of them will no longer be able to drive cars with red or yellow stickers – those that do not meet at least the Euro 4 emission standard. Already in May the regulation, increasing the penalty for entry into the zone without the appropriate sticker began to apply. Instead of the previous 40 Euros, a double fine is now levied.

 

Absence of the safety vest comes to 15 Euros

From the inclusion of a reflective vest to the mandatory car equipment, road safety experts promise to improve the safety of drivers who have to get out of a car in the event of an accident – motorists in the surrounding vehicles will be better off seeing them. The regulations do not specify whether the reflective vest should be orange, yellow or green. Unlike Austria, German regulations will not require a vest for every car passenger – just one on the vehicle. If a driver does not have a reflective vest in the car, a roadside penalty of 15 Euros (410 crowns) is threatened by roadside inspection. In such a case, however, it is unlikely that he will be entitled to indemnity from the insurance company if the passing car is injured.

 

Higher fines since May

Since May 1, he has also tightened the point system for traffic offenses while driving, and some fines have changed. Half of the phone calls for hands-free driving, driving without dimming lights, turning in the tunnel, or parking in a tiny spot that can block traffic. For these offenses, the police in reflective uniform may choose from May 60 Euros (1650 crowns). The use of a child seat is subject to a fine of 60 Euros instead of the previous 40 Euros. There are only eight points in the point system. However, the rate for individual misdemeanors is half as much as previously.

 

 

Add some extra reflective vests in car on vacation

Do you make a holiday car? Add some extra reflective vests instead and learn the specifics required by local regulations. Even if you are in a dispute with a foreign police officer (who often does not have to speak otherwise than “your” language) the truth, do not let your vacation spoil unnecessary conjecture.

 

European auto clubs warn that police officers are preparing for a sharper regime for the summer. According to Aldrich Vanier, the president of ÚAMK, he will focus on strict adherence to road traffic rules. “For example, it will focus on speed limits, driving under the influence of alcohol and other addictive substances, safe distance, technical condition of the vehicle, or poor parking,” warns Vanier. In Slovakia, since the New Year, you will not have a common highway mark, but an electronic vignette that you buy either on the border or on the web (details here). In Slovakia, penalties for speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol, other addictive substances, and the like have also been tightened.

 

If you do not have a motorway mark in Austria, a passenger car will be fined 120 Euros and 65 Euros for motorbikes. “There is a fine of 200 Swiss francs in Switzerland for the absence of a motorway. In Slovenia, fines are even higher. There you pay 300 to 800 Euros (21,600 crowns), but if you pay on the spot or within 8 days, the amount is reduced by up to half, “says Vanier. In addition, watch out for attempts at lower penalties to be seen by the yellow vest dressed police in Slovenia as an attempt at corruption. As in the Czech Republic, fines are also threatened by the fact that you have an old invalid highway stamp.

 

Old cars are not allowed to Paris

From 1 July, they have a low-emission zone in Paris, where vehicles with an emission class of Euro 2 and below cannot. Entry forbidden for them is valid from Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm. The penalty for entering the ban is set from € 35 to € 78, but the collection starts only from September 1. The emission zone system has been in Germany for many years, it is necessary to have a special plaque corresponding to the emission standard on the windscreen. You can find it in the Czech Republic and Germany (there is cheaper than in the Czech Republic).

 

“In France, there is also a new ban on the use of headphones when driving, whether it is a bicycle, a motorcycle or a passenger car,” warns Aldrich Vanier, the same ban applies in Greece. In France, a tester of alcohol is mandatory, just the old tube with a balloon. In France, they sell them on petrol. If you do not have it, you will not be fined for Vanier, but it is a threat that the police officer in safety vest can get you out of the road.

 

You must have a fire brigade and safety vest in car

Are you planning to go to Europe by car? Then, besides the mandatory safety equipment that is valid in the Czech Republic, you should get some extra stuff. In addition, sometimes such requests are strange. Look at them at a glance.

 

Reflective vests, gloves, triangle – Even such details can make Czech drivers more difficult to spend abroad. When traveling to another European country, make sure you have everything in your car that you have. In some countries, the mandatory equipment differs significantly from the Czech Republic. Check out what you have to bring with you in accordance with ÚAMK in selected European countries.

 

Fire extinguisher

Many drivers are surprised to have a fire extinguisher in some European countries. This is true for cars, bikers or cyclists, of course, not necessarily. Have a fire extinguisher if you are traveling to Bulgaria, Romania, Poland or Greece.

 

Reflective vests

Even in the Czech Republic, it is sometimes unclear to drivers whether they need a reflective vest for everyone or just for themselves. Everyone who is out of the car because of an emergency must wear a vest in France, Italy or Poland, but also in Slovakia and Slovenia. In Austria and Croatia, it is enough to have a high visibility vest only for drivers.

 

 

Police in safety vest stopped over seven hundred drivers

Last year, police officers on the roads stopped 708 drivers who were under the influence of addictive substances, of which 393 had a drink of alcohol, and 99 motorists exceeded one per mile, thus committing a criminal offense under the influence of addictive substance. Another 216 drivers had a drug-positive test.

 

Police officers in safety vest stopped two drunken drivers over the weekend. On Saturday, January 6, a 54-year-old man passed through Nipomo during the night. In his breath, the patrol measured 0.65 pro miles of alcohol. The next day, a 36-year-old cyclist was riding a bicycle ride in Remittal. The instrument display showed a 1.6-pound test on the breath test. Both drivers were banned from the next ride and now they will be mistaken for the offense.

 

How does road control actually work? Every driver of a motor vehicle is required to have the prescribed documents, including a valid driving license, a small technical passport from the car, a document proving motor third party liability insurance, a certificate of professional competence, a medical certificate (persons over 65 years of age). For roadside inspections, the patrol verifies the vehicle’s technical condition and may check required equipment, including: warning triangle, reflective vest, replacement electric fuses, spare bulbs, jack, wheel nut, spare wheel or tire repair kit.

 

Police in safety uniforms also conduct a breath test to detect alcohol. If the result is positive, it is repeated after five minutes to ensure the objectivity of the measurement. If a value of more than 0.24 per mile or the presence of drugs in the saliva of a driver is detected, a driving license detention procedure is initiated. The motorist is advised during the inspection that if he refuses to undergo an examination of influencing alcohol or other addictive substance, he commit an offense for which he is liable to a fine of CZK 25,000 to 50,000 and a ban on activity for up to two years.

 

Should an orange or yellow vest be in the car?

Many people spend their holidays on their own cars. However, if you want to get all right, you should check several things before going on. Should an orange or yellow vest be in the car? That was what experts in the breakfast with New.

 

“Before the trip, you should always check the vehicle itself, if you have the right fluids, it is technically correct. If you have the right equipment, even if we have the Geneva Convention that says the vehicle is to be equipped according to the place of registration, the country in question does not have to be a compulsory piece of equipment,” says Pert of the Central Automobile Club.

 

Recent discussions have raised the question of the color of the reflective vest. However, according to Womack, it does not matter. “It’s just a color, it’s a lot of talk about Austria that you need an orange vest, but that’s not the case, the vests have European certification, so you can have orange, red or yellow-green,” the ÚAMK spokesman explained. In some countries you have to have an alcohol testosterone in your car. Mostly they do not even check it, for example in France.

 

On your way to Croatia, you should pay attention especially to radars. “Radars are waiting for the driver almost every second village in Austria, in Vienna there are radars perhaps 15, it is also measured for every traffic constraint, and the fines are usually 50-100 Euros, from Austria there are photos, for example, for telephoning, non-attachment or for bikers for absence of a safety helmet,” Vote said.

 

If you have small children, you should definitely find out what the rules for fixing child seats are. In Croatia, Slovakia or Germany, you cannot have child seats from 3 to 12 years old on the front seats.

 

 

Do you know when and how can a police stop you

Officers wanting to keep us on the road must follow strictly defined rules. However, there are also a few rules that we must remember about. The basic question is whether the police officer who wants to stop us is safety uniformed or not. In conditions of good visibility, he can order us to stop using a vehicle stopper (the so-called “lollipop”), or with a hand. If visibility is limited, it must be a lollipop or a characteristic flashlight with red light.

 

All instructions should be issued well in advance and in a way that allows the driver to notice them and respond to them. The procedure is similar in the case of a non-uniformed officer, but he can only stop us in the built-up area. However, this does not change the fact that an attempt to stop by someone without a uniform can arouse suspicion in us. If they are justified (we have the right to believe that it may be someone impersonating a police officer), we can ignore his orders, but we should immediately go to the nearest police station in order to clarify the situation.

 

Motorized patrol looks a little different – officers in reflective vest can then use sound devices (and give us commands through external speakers), light or signaling (similarly air patrol). Usually unmarked cars have behind the rear window placed strip allowing to display subtitles – in this way, police officers can give us the command to follow them (with the “follow me” command) to the place chosen by them, where stopping will be safe.

 

It is worth adding that all orders should be issued well in advance and in a way that allows the driver to notice them and react to them. Therefore, the police officer at the last moment jumps out of the roadside greenery and runs on the road in unacceptable situations. For obvious reasons, this behavior can lead to a dangerous situation on the road. The officer must give us time to notice him and stop safely at the place indicated by him. It can be designated with the appropriate sign with the inscription “stop, roadside inspection.” Such a place cannot threaten the safety of traffic and should not be subject to a ban on stopping. However, if necessary, the police officer may order us to stop in a prohibited place, but should activate the blue flashing light before starting the inspection.

 

When we stop, we should stay in the car with our hands on the steering wheel and wait for the officer to come to us (turn off the engine, turn on the emergency lights, and above all get off, only on a clear command). He should present himself and give the reason for the detention (it is unacceptable to start the control with questions or to guess what the reason is). The police officer can check our documents and the vehicle, as well as check the driver’s sobriety. However, a search of a car is possible only if the officer has reasons for it (for example, he received a report about a committed crime and a command to revise stopped vehicles).

 

Let us also remember that when a police officer in yellow vest wants to punish us with a fine, we can refuse to accept him (the case will go to court). On the other hand, if the officer behaves in a way that raises our doubts, we can record all control (when a police officer performs his duties, he is a public figure, and we do not violate his privacy) and file a complaint at the police station.

Pedestrians must have mandatory reflections from September

From August 31, all pedestrians outside the built-up area and after dark must have a reflective element. Is it Absurd recipe? Not at all.

 

Mandatory reflective elements from 31 August will have to wear Polish pedestrians. Many people are already protesting against “the next regulations of life” and consider this a jump on the money – an easy way to create a new field in which the police can earn many credentials. However, even though I am against excessive regulation myself, I accept this duty with enthusiasm – because the reflections serve not only pedestrians. Anyone who has ever driven an unlit road at night knows it well.

 

From 1 September, pedestrians will have to wear reflective vest after dark and outside built-up areas. Indignant new provisions often overlook these two conditions. Wrongly – because it is this detail that makes the obligation sense and is needed. Outside the built-up area, roads often lead through forests or are on the sides embellished with a row of trees – after dark you cannot see anything. The lights of the car illuminate a small piece of the road, the driver is focused on driving, has a very small chance of seeing a pedestrian going along the side or the edge of the road. If there are clouds, you can only see a few meters before the car. In addition, remember, outside built-up areas, cars usually move faster than 90km / h, especially after dark when roads are empty.

 

Pedestrians without glare are then simply invisible. The reflective material changes this diametrically – all you need is a wristband, because the state has not begun to require us to wear waistcoats. One item that can be purchased at the kiosk, at any bazaar, for 2 zlotys. Added to this is the fact that pedestrians walk often without imagination, going almost to the belt.

 

 

 

Police gave pedestrians reflective vest during the inspection

During their Saturday action, the police from Zama distributed gifts … to controlled persons. Pedestrians, who were poorly visible after dark, handed out reflective vests. However, there were also those for whom the meeting with uniforms ended with a mandate.

 

Saturday activities were focused on pedestrian safety. Therefore, the uniforms paid particular attention to how drivers behave towards road users, but also controlled the behavior of these “unprotected road users.”

 

Several people who moved without reflective elements took away the uniform from the uniforms glowing in the darkness. – People encountered without reflections were told how important for the life and health of the pedestrian is its visibility on the road. The police officers promoted the habit of wearing reflectors not only outside the built-up area, but also in the built-up area – emphasizes Dorati, a spokesperson for the Municipal Police.

 

He added that during the weekend activities, road traffic officers found more than 30 offenses committed by pedestrians and almost 15 committed by the driver. Most often, the pedestrians walked on the wrong side or crossed the road in unauthorized places. However, the most common offense of the drivers was bypassing the vehicle, which stopped to give way to pedestrians – explained the police officer in safety vest.

 

 

 

Let yourself be seen on a motorcycle

Car drivers very often admit that there was an accident, because the motorcyclist did not notice. We suggest how you can improve your visibility on a motorcycle.

 

The Hurt report initiated by the Department of National Transport Safety of the United States confirmed that when the motorcyclist wore bright yellow, orange or red safety vest – the probability of participating in the accident decreased because his “visibility” was increasing significantly. In contrast, the MAIDS study, commissioned by the Association of European Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) with the support of the European Commission, showed an increase in the number of accidents that occurred when motorcycle drivers wore dark clothing.

 

Therefore, more and more often, clothing manufacturers permanently fix reflective elements and use materials in neon colors in their products. However, if we do not have such an outfit, we can stock up on: reflective stripes on the torso or ankle, vests or butterflies on the shoulders. Such additions will make you more eye-catching in the daytime, and in the dark, reflective elements will reflect the vehicle’s headlight. Very often you can also personalize them with any inscription.

 

Helmet manufacturers are also more and more often in their offer, not only better white helmets visible in the day, but also those equipped with reflective graphics and neon colors:

Motorbike and helmet can be reflective also on their own. For this purpose, you need to buy straps to stick in the rim of the rim or a universal reflective tape to wrap selected elements of the motorcycle. The choice is considerable; we can choose colors and, for example, adjust them to the color of the motorcycle.

 

In order to bind your visibility at night, you should take care of the right lighting in your motorcycle. Check the light setting at the diagnostic station, and replacing a bulb with higher brightness can improve visibility by up to 60% (the bulb should be approved). An additional method to increase visibility is also the assembly of enlarged or additional STOP light, on the trunk.

 

The installation of additional light bar lighting at the front of the motorcycle is also becoming more and more popular, which does not significantly affect the lighting of the road, but only improves the visibility of the motorcyclist on the road. Very often, however, they are assembled in a way that the legislator did not envisage. It is safest to mount them as an additional fog light, for use on winding roads or with limited air transparency. Of course, the reflective elements alone will not protect us from danger. Nothing can replace the principles of careful driving, maintaining a safe distance and speed.