Month: February 2018

Cyclists and the duty to wear reflective elements

The association that supports cycling as a mode of transport does not agree with the obligation for pedestrians to wear reflective garments on their clothing. The Ministry of Transport enforces this in the amendment to the Act on Road Traffic. “This duty is inadequate, especially in pedestrian-friendly villages, and drivers should be ready for them,” said European MEP Bike Vice President Daniel.

 

“Introducing the pedestrian’s obligation to wear reflective elements is contrary to the principle of the responsibility of stronger motorists for damages they may cause,” said Moure. The ministry in the proposal demands that the reflective elements be worn in the village where there is no walkway and which are not sufficiently illuminated.

 

However, according to the association, such conditions meet a number of residential districts, where pedestrians would not be able to move without reflective vest according to the law. In fact, this will be completely different, the association warned, demanding that even without reflective elements the pedestrian could pass through the communication. In such a case, for example, he might be obliged to step back on the roadside before passing the motorcycle.

 

In addition to wearing reflective elements, the association requires modifications to the obligations of cyclists when moving in traffic. This includes, among other things, the abolition of the obligation to ride at the right edge of the road, which threatens cyclists, for example, when roads, in narrow lanes or before a roundabout, park the roads. Cyclists at the crossing for cyclists should also take precedence over branching vehicles. They prefer to join them even when a motor vehicle comes from a special road, so that the marked cycle paths are not interrupted in these sections.

 

Among the associations that submitted comments on the law were, for example, the Auto * Mat Association, organizing cycling, the Brno bicycle association or the Partnership Foundation.

Be well visible at night, avoid injury and fine

For pedestrians there is a duty to be safely seen when walking along the roadside road outside the village. Just a few reflective elements can save your life. See and mainly be seen. This is the motto of the amendment to the Act on Road Traffic, which has brought many changes since Saturday not only for drivers but also for pedestrians. From now on, they would not have to come out of the village for a reduced visibility in a place that is not illuminated, without a reflective element on clothing. Otherwise, two thousand shall be taken from the wallet, in the administrative proceedings up to two and a half.

 

Many tests have shown that the character in dark clothing is visible to the driver of the arriving vehicle at only 18 meters, in white clothing already 55 meters and with a reflective marker already at 200 meters, which is enough distance for a safe escape maneuver. The novel of the law is also welcomed by the young driver, who has met the “invisible” pedestrians countless. “I think the introduction of the reflective elements is the right thing. I have seen myself several times that I was a pedestrian at the roadside almost overlooked and I have something to do to prevent it from happening, certainly thanks to this obligation to prevent accidents, and even the pedestrian is taken as a legitimate road user, so it should bear the consequences if it causes something, “he thinks.

 

Police officers have been focusing on pedestrian awareness since autumn 2015. Since then, unmarked pedestrians have dealt with more than 100,000 reflective tapes. The Tabor police officers took part in the nationwide “We see” preventive action, for example, on February 11, when they handed a bag with reflective stripe and reflective tapes to passers-by at the Kurland shopping center. Although the amendment to the law came into force already last Saturday, the unmarked pedestrians still do not have to be scared yet. “It will be a misdemeanor, but we will still be explaining to the pedestrians why we need to wear reflective tapes and if we still have some of them, we will continue to distribute them,” South Bohemian police spokesman.

 

All pedestrians, however, recommend that they take care of their safety and wear reflexive elements in cities where there is poor lighting, driving cars and cyclists. One has to shine and the other light to reflect. For pedestrians walking along the left side of the road, it is ideal to wear a reflective ribbon on the right hand or foot, which will be directed to the road and an anti-traffic car, will illuminate it. “It is necessary for the pedestrian really to go to the left, so that the passing driver does not shine in his back but in the face. Cyclists would ideally have tapes on both ankles. The belt not only holds the trouser legs but also has the advantage of being seen from all sides,” explains Mimosa. You do not have to invest in the various reflexes if you already own some sportswear or neon-colored shoes.

 

 

BESIP distributes 100 thousand reflective tapes by April

Prevention is also targeted at BESIP, which is part of the Ministry of Transport. “Together with the BESIP shelf, reflective vest are distributed to people for free. Since the beginning of the year, nearly 15,000 have been donated. Furthermore, the Czech Tourists Club will give 10 thousand reflection elements, for example. At this year’s Moto salon in Brno, 10 thousand will be handed out, “said Tomas Neola, spokesman for the Ministry of Transport.

 

During March and April, BESIP plans to hand out 100,000 of these items.

From the new duty of shining, some municipalities also promise to limit prostitution. The women waiting on the road tend to refuse to reflex reflective tapes. “We believe there will be more controls and the presence of the police discourages potential customers from stopping prostitutes,” said MF DNES deputy mayor in Nomo Robert Vanes.

 

For example, in Vipers, prostitutes now control more. “In our cadastre, we stand on the outpost to the border where we can use the controls. I see another sub-lever in that, “said Peter Majorly, Chief of Police at the local police.

 

The police presidium, however, claims that its people are not specifically targeted at prostitutes. “As a rule, the police do not as a rule investigate the reason for the pedestrian on the road during his / her activity in relation to road safety. It is important that the purpose of the law is met and that the pedestrian is sufficiently visible to other road users. The purpose of this legal regulation was certainly not to fight prostitution, but to make pedestrians more visible, “added the spokesman Josef Boca.

 

 

Be careful if you want to go to summer vacation by car

Everyone can not wait to get some rest from work and set off for a holiday. A lot of us will head to the sea in the summer and much of it will drive. Here is an overview of what to watch out for in order to make your holiday a hell of a car.

 

A reflective vest for all in the car or an in-vehicle fire extinguisher, these are just two differences in transport regulations abroad. If you are interested in what is and is not mandatory in the countries where the Czechs are heading or crossing over on holiday, look at the following overview. There are differences in transport regulations in Croatia, Italy, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovenia, France or Slovakia.

 

Daytime running lights

Daylight lighting, as well as in the Czech Republic, is mandatory in Slovakia and Slovenia, with all-day lighting for motorcycles and mopeds in Germany. Other vehicles must have dipped-beam headlamps switched on in Germany due to poor visibility due to poor weather conditions. In Italy, daylight is set outside the built-up area. In France, the use of lights is recommended day and night. In Croatia, cars have to be switched on at night and in poor visibility and all day from last Sunday in October to last Sunday in March. Motorcycles and scooters must be enlightened every day in Croatia.

 

Reflective vest

A reflective safety vest for everyone in the car who needs to move outside of a vehicle, you have to have it in Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Slovakia. In Austria, a reflective vest must be in the vehicle, and a driver must be in France. In Germany, a reflex vest is mandatory only in service cars, in private it is recommended if you do not have it, the cops deal with it.

 

First aid kit

In some countries, the first-aid kit is not obligatory, but since you have to have it in the Czech Republic, you will have it on your way abroad. The first-aid kit is not required for example in Germany or Italy.

 

Extinguishers

In most countries where we are heading for holidays, a warning reflective triangle fire extinguisher is not required in passenger cars. For example, you need to have it in Poland….

The safety vest often in the trunk of the car

Several times a year police officers investigate tragic accidents in which not only the pedestrians, but also the drivers who are now outside the vehicle, will come to life. Often they have a common denominator – they were not seen in time, because they were not wearing a reflective vest.

 

Whether the situation has changed, dozens of young police officers in the Central Bohemian region have been investigating the field. “Drivers are almost always in the car with one vest, which is part of the mandatory equipment. Not everyone knows where to put the high visibility vest. About half of the checked drivers had her in the trunk. That’s bad, “explained Lucie, a spokesman for the Malta police.

 

She warned that it was necessary to have a reflective vest available in the cabin of the vehicle, in case of an emergency stop and a show on the unlit traffic. “It’s important to realize that if they hit another vehicle in the trunk of their vehicle, they would not have to get out of the safety vest because it could block the door,” the police spokesperson added.

 

The security action was also focused on the technical condition of vehicles, document check, and whether drivers are not driving under the influence of alcohol. He is also a frequent culprit of traffic accidents. Last year, for example, he signed for nineteen car ambles, while pedestrians were, according to current police statistics, responsible for six accidents.