Month: March 2018

Recommendations for safe travel during Easter

To travel safely in this Holy Week, the Touring and Automobile Club Paraguay provides a series of recommendations to the public. It is always advisable to check the condition of the vehicle, (maintenance, calibration of the wheels, and condition of the lights), make sure that all the passengers wear the safety reflective belt, turn on the low lights always, keep the distance between the vehicles and announce the maneuvers.

 

It is also recommended to travel by day, do not carry loose pets in the vehicle, stop every two hours or 200 km on long trips; not to program the GPS, to smoke, to manipulate the radio, to use the cell phone and to take mate or terrene while driving. Never carry a child in your arms, or share a seatbelt. Children should travel in their chair corresponding to their age, height, weight and level of development, always in the back seat with safety clothing.

 

The necessary documents to circulate are the driver’s license corresponding to the type of vehicle, identity card, identification card of the vehicle, insurance policy (green card for border crossing of light vehicles up to 5 passengers), municipal authorization per day, and the vehicle must have the visible license plates visible in the corresponding place.

 

The obligatory elements to carry in the vehicle are the fire extinguisher (well fastened) with current load control and within reach of the driver, two portable beacons, well-calibrated spare wheel, adjustment key, hydraulic jack or clique. It is also recommended to bring a first aid kit, reflective vest (mandatory for travelers to Argentina, for use in case of damage on public roads).

Municipal Calls to Check Cars with safety vest

Within the actions of the Holy Week Holiday Operational 2018 that aims to prevent traffic accidents, as well as providing road assistance to vacationers on the roads, the XXII City Council presided by Marco invites the population to take preventive measures.

 

Jaime Nieto Campos, Director of Civil Protection issued recommendations for families that use the road to arrive safely at their destination, because road safety is a priority for Mayor Marco.

 

Before leaving:

Check the mechanical conditions of the car before starting the trip.

Check the levels (water, oil, brake fluid, windshield wipers).

Check battery status.

Check the tires, including the spare tire.

Monitor the condition of the shock absorbers.

Lights

Find out about the weather conditions on the route to be covered. If it has rained or there is low visibility, take precautions or delay the journey to leave when the weather allows better safety conditions. Do not forget the elements in case of breakdown, such as reflective vest, emergency signal triangles, hydraulic jack, tools, and additional fuses. Verify that the crew uses the seat belt. Take all precautions and drive carefully, protect the family and other people traveling on the same route.

 

On the way:

Respect road signs and speed limits.

Do not drive tired. It is recommended to rest every 200 kilometers, every two hours or before any symptom of fatigue.

Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or substances that alter perception.

Carry minors in the back seats of vehicles and securely fastened with a child restraint system approved for their weight and height.

Avoid distractions Do not use your cell phone while driving.

If you are traveling with pets, take it in the back and use security attachments so that it does not distract you.

Do not pass by the right or the limit.

Use safe stops at their scales.

Put emergency signage on the road in case of stopping.

Maintain good visibility in the vehicle permanently.

Maintain the safety distance between the vehicles in front of you at all times.

If you travel by bus and the driver in safety vest exceeds the allowed speed, ask him to reduce it.

If you need help, use the telephone numbers of the 911 Emergency Center, the Green Angels 078 or the 088 Federal Police.

Driving outside safer with fur horse

Research by the Stoke Duchy College in the United Kingdom. It shows that two-thirds of the questioned riders have experienced dangerous situations in traffic while driving outside. Striking in the research was that riders with colored horses had the least near misses.

 

Wearing reflective clothing, according to the team leader of the research and chair of the international Society for Equitation Science, Dr. Hayley Randle has no difference. The survey took place via social media and there were more than 350 riders and amazons who participated.

 

Because of the outcome of the research, the team now wants to design a safety vest with the colors of a fur horse.

“This summer we will continue with the research and test whether it indeed makes a difference. We will film the result of riders with different reflective vest and the new design. ”

 

It is the intention that the research will be completed in September and the results can be presented during ‘International Society for Equitation Science Conference’.

Safety vest mandatory in Germany since July

Since 1 July, it is mandatory to have at least one reflective safety vest in the car in Germany. This measure applies to motorists, truck and bus drivers.

 

The safety vests must be stored within easy reach, so not in the trunk. The ANWB advises you to take a safety vest in the car for all occupants.

 

In commercially used vehicles (including foreign ones), a safety vest must already be present for every occupant. The high visibility vest is not required for motorcyclists and motor home drivers.

 

The vests are already mandatory in several other European countries, such as Belgium, France, Austria, Spain and Italy. Those who cannot show the reflective vest after 1 July after a check risk a fine of € 15.00. Curious about what else you should have with you in the car in Germany?

About the driving and use of electric bikes in Spain

You also see them in Spain more and more. Then we are not talking about the Dutch and Belgians who came to Spain with their electric bicycle to cycle during their holidays but also Spaniards who go for the electric bicycle without wear reflective safety vest. Of course, that is not yet in such large quantities as in the Netherlands, but you can see them more and more, also because there is more and more supply and the bikes become cheaper. However, what are the rules, laws and regulations for the use of electric bicycles in Spain?

 

An electric bicycle is a means of transport that is powered by an electric motor, whether or not in combination with muscle strength. In the Netherlands, the electric bicycle is officially called “bicycle with pedal assistance” which is a bicycle that works in combination with muscle strength and therefore only provides support. This type of bicycle is sometimes called “pedicel,” a contraction of English words pedal and electric). This name is also sometimes heard in Spain.

 

In Spain, the following general rules apply:

For riding an electric bicycle with pedal assistance that cannot be faster than 25 km / h and has a capacity of up to 500 watts (formerly 250 watts just like in the Netherlands / Belgium) engine power, the same rules apply as for a normal bicycle. For bicycles with an electric motor that can be faster than 25 km / h and have more engine power or can be driven without kicking, the rules for mopeds apply. This means that with the bikes one should not in principle, be allowed to ride on the bike path, one should wear a helmet and needs a special driving license. You also need to be insured, just like with mopeds and scooters. The maximum speed for all cyclists including electric bikes is 45 km / h.

 

General rules cycling in Spain

Adults are required to wear a bicycle helmet when driving on the road outside the built-up area, while minors under the age of 16 always have to wear a bicycle helmet (inside and outside the built-up area).

It is recommended to wear reflective clothing during the hours when it is dark. Oddly enough, the rules do not state that it is mandatory to use light, in fact, many cyclists do not even have light on the bike. As everywhere, cyclists must also respect the general traffic rules and stop at the STOP signs, zebra crossings and traffic lights. If one does not do that then one can get fines just like the driver.

 

Take care of the bike, that is, make sure the chain is good, the brakes work and the tires have the right tension so that cycling is safer. Every time you sit on the bike and want to turn to the right or left, you have to indicate that well and well in advance. If one drives with a group of cyclists on the main road, this should be done in parallel with a maximum of two people next to each other unless there is a lot of traffic and visibility is obstructed, then one has to cycle behind each other.

 

It is forbidden to ride on the bicycle with the headphones to listen to music, with the mobile phone in hand or after using drugs and alcohol. Cycling on motorways is prohibited for minors under 14 years of age. The other cyclists may provide they wear a helmet and reflective vest, ride on the emergency lane of motorways, something that has undoubtedly been seen in Spain. This is only allowed on those motorways where there are no prohibition signs. Have we forgotten something? Have we misinterpreted something? Then let us know with a link to a source where more information can be obtained. This way we get a good and correct overview of driving electric bikes in Spain.

Well lit up the street is really not crazy anymore

It is December 21, the shortest day of the year. Let light, early dark. It is all the more important for traffic and cyclists to stand out in traffic. Even the dog can put a light or reflective tape on the collar.

 

When Rite pulled on her reflective jacket three years ago, her daughter laughed at her. Is not that a bit exaggerated, and then asked her. “Nowadays she does not say anything about it anymore and she goes on the street in a well-lit way,” says Heymans, who is taking a walk along the Liberation Path on the border between Rosalyn and Den Bosch with José Heave this cold December evening. They wear a yellow vest.

 

While the women from Rosalyn talk about the usefulness of their reflective clothing, a group of runners passes by. Yellow and red lights flicker in the darkness. Some have their arms covered with reflective strips. A little, further a red light flashes around the neck of a dog.

 

It is striking in these dark days: many walkers and runners wear fluorescent clothing and even dogs are clearly visible. Very good, but the cyclists stay behind. That turned out last month, when the police in Den Bosch wrote more than fifty fines for driving without light in a few days. She already announced that she would continue to carry out inspections in the context of the national campaign I am falling on.

 

However, the animal department in Den Bosch has also increased the demand for lighting or safety vest for animals, says employee Patrick Tile. In the case, there is a shelf for decorated: from safety lights to luminous harnesses and illuminated collars that can be charged via a USB stick. “The products are getting smaller and easier to carry,” explains Tile the increasing demand. “The safety of an animal is just as important as ours.”

Road safety: New laws to reduce accidents

Many new laws have to be passed concerning the Highway Code to reduce the number of deaths due to road accidents. Security is priceless you will see, keep some safety accessories will be better. Since the beginning of this year 2011 there has been an increase of more than 12% in the number of people killed compared. François Felon’s government met urgently to vote for restrictive laws.

 

Now exceeding the maximum authorized speed of more than 50 km / h will be a crime the first time, the signs signaling the speed cameras will be deleted. For the blood alcohol level, it will always be the same but if we exceed the 0.8 g / L in the blood, 8 points instead of six will sanction it. However, just use “save a friend” the application of the Road safety. The use of the phone while driving without a hands-free system will be in contravention of fourth class with 3 points removed from the license instead of 2. Even hardening if using a “screen device” other than a GPS – 1.500 Euros and three points against 135 Euros and two points – or traffic on the band of emergency stop.

 

The focus will be on two wheels, which account for only 2% of traffic but 24% of those killed. They will have to wear the reflective vest, for those who would have stopped driving two-wheelers for more than 5 years will have to undergo training to get back to the stirrup. License plates will be enlarged to facilitate controls. The committee brought together Ministers Xavier Bertrand (Labor), Claude Giant, Nathalie Kosciusko, Thierry Mariana, and the inter-ministerial delegate for Road Safety. Experts and associations of families of road victims said Wednesday “very disappointed” by the measures announced to try to stem the rise in the death toll, saying they will be insufficient to counter the detrimental effect of the relaxation the point’s license. If that still is not enough, you can watch the shock campaign of road safety…

Carrefour stores: red card for reflective armband

Like a chewing gum under the shoe, the retro-reflective cuff is sticky. This is the bitter discovery made by the FFMC antenna of Seine-et-Marne in two Carrefour supermarkets. Retro-reflective armbands are on sale, with, until the intervention of bikers angry, the mention: “Retro-reflective equipment mandatory at January 1, 2013”, written on the packaging…

 

Pre-empted by consumers, the FFMC 77 responded by calling on 27 May the store managers by registered letter. Here is an excerpt: “The Minister of the Interior, Manuel, published in the official journal an order on 18 December repealing the order of 3 January 2012 The information disseminated to sell your retro-reflective material devices is therefore wrong. These actions are not only disrespectful to your customers, but also illegal. They could, indeed, be qualified as a deceptive commercial practice, defined and repressed by articles L121-1 and following of the Code of the consumption…

 

Result

The stores responded on May 28, pledging to conceal the reference to the obsolete bond. The director of the supermarket of Collegian also indicated that he had reassembled the information with their central purchasing to intervene with the supplier.

 

Eve

This is not the first action carried out by the FFMC 77, since it had already obtained satisfaction in the Crossroads and Villiers about the same problem. It remains to be seen if the 228 Carrefour stores located in France will be in tune… It is up to you to send us the information! Let us hope, too, that the manufacturer of reflective armbands stops trying to distribute a product that has become irrelevant. Otherwise, store managers will use black markers!

He had killed a 17-year-old cyclist with no reflective vest

The motorist who mowed Adrian, 17, March 27 in Riches, was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison, two suspended and put to the test. He committed the irreparable. Killed a 17 year old kid who was riding a bike without reflective vest. The high school student who should have passed his baccalaureate has died as a result of his injuries.

 

Adrian was coming home from a party with two friends. Yes, they had drunk alcohol, a dozen glasses. Yes, Adrian had no reflective safety vest or lighting on his bike. But no, he did not commit any fault on the road to Orchids, at the exit of Felines. The faults are Sebastian Quieting who committed them. He also came back from a party, had 0.96 g of alcohol in his blood, and was driving too fast.

 

The driver did not stop after the collision. Although he had twice been to the scene of the accident, he did not go to the police until he had told his roommate that he was back home. “Almost immediately,” says Quentin Lobes, his lawyer. “I hit Adrian but I did not see him coming,” said the defendant. In addition, after that, it was total panic for me. ”

 

“He did not see him, he killed him and he left,” says Azania prosecutor Julian-Rama. In deciding to drive, he decided to put someone in danger. It was Adrian. The motorist crashed after making a mistake on the highway. “It was raining,” he explains. “But why do we leave the wheel to a person who does not take the right road to get back?” He did not even have the courage to stop when he went back and forth on the scene! His cowardice is to have refused to face reality. ”

 

He had just recovered his license

The motorist without high visibility vest had already been warned: between 2003 and 2016, he committed at least ten speeding, refused a priority, a Stop, already driven under the influence of alcohol … He had just recovered his license when the accident took place and that, it deserves three years of prison with mandate of deposit for the parquet floor. A punishment required under the blow of “emotion,” for Me Lobes: “He took a life without wanting it. If he had wanted to flee his responsibilities, he would have surrendered the next day, on an empty stomach. However, no, he goes right away, alcoholic. “It’s extremely hard for me,” the defendant says head down. I live a hell, certainly not at the same level as the family, but I would have liked so much that it does not happen … “He has been in detention since yesterday.

 

Airbag safety vest for biker Getting started

Used in competition, the airbag reflective jacket for bikers is becoming more popular for individuals. It is a little tough to put on the first few times, it is discreet in use, and above all, it does not bother the driver.

 

Dinesen, a specialist in biker equipment, offers an airbag vest, the D-Air Street, designed to protect the back, collarbones, and thorax in the event of an accident. Sensors, installed on the fork and under the seat, record the movements of the two-wheelers before being analyzed by a central computer. Thus, according to the manufacturer, the system is capable of recognizing all critical situations: fall alone, impact from the rear, frontal or lateral impact … Therefore, the vest inflates in 45 milliseconds maximum. However, the main interest of this new vest is that the connection between the system and the safety vest is wireless, allowing complete freedom of movement. The other visible part of the device, the screen installed on the handlebars and which controls the proper functioning of the system is rather unsightly and too bulky. In addition, that especially since it provides only two interesting information: the battery charge level of the vest and the correct connection between the vest and the system.

 

The vest also has a range of about 10 hours, a delay that we have actually found. Let us hope that over months, even years, it remains the same. However, to preserve the life of the battery of the vest, it will be necessary to turn it off after each use. Similarly, it is advisable to turn it on only once installed on the two-wheelers to ensure proper interaction with the electronic box. An annoying detail: if the engine is shut off while the link has already been established, in case of stalling for example, it will then turn off and then turn on the vest for a new connection is established. However, this operation is easy and the switch is easy to handle, even with a heavy winter glove.

 

At the time of purchase, it will be necessary to pay attention to the size of the waistcoat because it is necessary to foresee the differences of thickness between the holding of summer and that of winter. However, as it has large elastics, it accepts differences in size, but it will not take too large a size if you buy it in winter (and conversely if you buy it in summer). Finally, once the habit of putting it on, we enjoyed the maintenance that offers the D-Air Street thanks, in particular, to a very efficient backbone. In addition, its yellow reflective material is a not insignificant in terms of safety because it allows being visible from afar.