Month: March 2018

Road Safety: Update on retro-reflective elements

What color will it be necessary to wear? Should we change his equipment? Why only big cubes seem concerned? Here is an inventory of the obligation to ride with retro-reflective equipment from 2013. Good news in the lot: fluorescent allergic are spared.

 

The IRB’s implementing decree, issued yesterday, surprised motorcyclists, scooters … and equipment manufacturers. Indeed, it was suspected that the wearing of elements improving the visibility of motorized two-wheelers (2WD) would be made mandatory, but the announced surface is much talked about. While some agitate the spectrum of the yellow vest and that, the visibility of day leaves many doubts, it seems important to us to make a point on this measure and what it will imply.

 

Visibility on a motorcycle: It will be necessary to reflect

The Order of 3 January 2012 relating to retro-reflective equipment worn by all drivers or passengers of a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity greater than 125 cc or a vehicle of category L5e with a power greater than 15 kW [NOR: IOCS1134710A is clear enough:

 

Not later than 1 January 2013, all drivers or passengers of a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity exceeding 125 cc or a vehicle of category L5e with a power of more than 15 kW must wear a garment equipped with a retro reflective equipment, corresponding to either French standards or other standards guaranteeing an equivalent level of safety. This equipment, in one or more parts, must have a total surface area of at least 150 cm². If this equipment is not integrated into the garment from the beginning, it is superimposed on it by any means. The equipment should be worn on the upper body, with the exception of the helmet, from the belt to the shoulder line to be visible to other road users.

 

Motorcycle jacket with enough retro-reflective part for 2013It will not necessarily wear a yellow reflective vest. The equipment must be retro reflective (for night visibility), not fluorescent. We contacted Road Safety about this. According to what we announced in August 2011, the retro-reflective material will not necessarily be fluorescent yellow or white. If the standards EN 471 and EN 1150 (corresponding to the yellow vests required at night by bicycle) constitute a minimum, the standard EN 13356 is admissible.

 

However, this standard is much more interesting for those who do not wish to alter the aesthetics of their outfit. Indeed, it does not mention basic colors. A prismatic film, transparent, affixed to a color of your choice, provides the retro-reflective function. We can therefore consider finding jackets with more than 150 cm² of retro-reflective surface at night, which will remain black (or blue, red, etc.) the day. It will be the same for armbands that will use those whose jacket or jacket will not have enough surfaces.

 

When buying, the question will quickly arise: how do you know if the jacket meets the correct specifications? Manufacturers have a few months to upgrade their current range. If the jacket has enough retro-reflective surfaces, the manufacturer will be able to send to the dealers a certificate, to present in case of control. If not, we will probably find additional retro-reflective armbands. It remains to be seen how the manufacturers will react for future ranges, which will have to be sold all over the world, and not only in France. The choice of retractable elements, like what Axon offers, seems relevant, but it is not applicable on all types of jackets, especially leather jackets.

 

Nevertheless, the validity of this measure annoys many bikers, who quite rightly specify that the daytime wearing of this equipment is useless and that it is only a means to draw up easy tickets. If we cannot certify the second part, we must recognize that verbalization (€ 68 and 2 points less) should dissuade those who ride without a jacket, and who will be the first controlled. Regarding the limitation of displacement, since the 125 cm³ are not concerned, this is, according to our information, only a question of time. Some will remember that in 1973, when the wearing of the helmet was made mandatory.

 

Motorized two-wheelers: mandatory gloves from Sunday

Starting this Sunday, November 20, the wearing of approved reflective material gloves will become mandatory for PTW riders and passengers. Every year, motorcyclists, and more generally motorized two-wheelers pay a heavy tribute to the road. In 2015 according to the figures of the Ministry of the Interior, 614 motorcyclists (users of a motorized two-wheeler with a displacement greater than 50 cm3), lost their lives.

 

During the same period, 13,500 bodily injuries involved a motorcycle and for 5514 of them, the severity of the injuries required hospitalization. In many cases, wearing protective equipment would have limited serious injuries. Thus, it is strongly recommended to wear a jacket when driving motorized two-wheelers. Similarly, it seems essential to wear closed shoes and not flip-flops, as we still see all too often in summer in some seaside resorts, to limit serious foot injuries. In addition, the legislator imposes the wearing of an approved helmet equipped with a reflective device. The defect of these bands despite a standard helmet is subject to a fine of 135 Euros and the reduction of three points of the driving license. In 2015, 24 motorcyclists killed, including one passenger, did not wear a helmet.

 

No gloves, one less point

With its desire to further protect these particularly vulnerable road users and in particular to limit serious injuries to the hands and forearms, the Ministry of the Interior has just made mandatory the wearing of gloves for drivers and passengers a motorized two-wheeler, whether it is a motorcycle, a motor tricycle, a motor quadricycle or a moped. Published in the official journal of 20 September, Decree No. 2016-1232 of 19 September enters into force Sunday, 20 November 2016. From that date, the police may control compliance with this obligation. Failure to comply with the regulations may result in a third class fine (68 Euros) and the loss of one point of the driving license.

 

It should be noted that the new regulations also apply to any passenger who, in the event of non-wearing of gloves, could be fined a third class. Drivers and passengers of mopeds also face a fine. Derogation is granted to users of vehicles equipped with both seatbelt and door.

 

Finally, the decree imposes the wearing of gloves in accordance with the regulations on personal protective equipment (PPE). The site takes stock of the current standard and precisely guides the buyer by answering all the questions he may ask, and which sellers do not always answer. Specialized in the prevention, initiation, training, and development of driving motorcycles and scooters for over twenty years, former motorcycle champion Philippe Minaret welcomed this decision, which is a step in favor of the protection of motorized two-wheeler users.

 

The reflective belt is soon obligatory in school transport

No mandatory reflective belt, more than 3,000 ghost students or lack of accompanying persons. Criticism of safety in school transport is raining. The Walloon MEP, Valerie returned to the charge in Parliament to the Minister Carlo Di Antonio (transport and mobility).

 

For the liberal parliamentarian, it is essential “to drastically improve the security of school transport.” Four points must change to improve the safety of school transportation. First, make wearing a seatbelt mandatory. Second, impose the presence of a fluorescent safety vest in each bus for each child. Tertian set up a school bus evacuation plan and make sure that it is well communicated to users. Quarto, permanently offer children a secure waiting area.

 

In Parliament, she asks the minister about the four proposals explained above. “Can the minister tell me where he is in this reflection; is there a project to improve safety inside but also outside school buses?” Minister Carlo Di Antonio (CDH) replied that the different Tec have already carried out here and there some actions to improve the situation. Let us mention the training given in schools. “During this initiation, an instructor will teach the students the proper way to evacuate a large vehicle, emergency plans in coordination with the rescue services have been set up in two provinces, and a third experiment is planned in preparation”, explains the minister.

 

Regarding the yellow reflective vests, the Tec, with the approval of the Minister, opted for a smaller model, the reflective cuff. It will be provided “to students attending school circuits, as part of an awareness campaign on how to equip themselves when traveling in the dark.” The Minister concludes that security will be reinforced in the new specifications, “including mandatory wearing of seat belts.”

Yellow vest with motorcycle: Cuckoo, here it is again

When the summer torpor does not serve as an excuse to pass a law discreetly, it sometimes brings up in some media astonishing questions. You thought it was definitely buried since last year. More tenacious than a Z-series zombie, the fluorescent vest remains a subject apparently vital for some. The proof with this poll RMC and BFM TV appeared yesterday. Do not suffocate yourself by reading his utterance, made almost false by a timely omission.

 

Fluorescent vest mandatory for all according to RMC and BFM TV

“The yellow reflective vest is mandatory for motorists, not for motorcyclists, contrary to what our German, Belgian, or Italian neighbors do.” Playing on words, this survey clearly suggests that it is necessary to make wearing a yellow vest mandatory for French bikers, some of whom have been dreaming since 2011. By citing Belgium or Germany, the amalgam is all the easier to do that on our roads, it is not uncommon to meet bikers in these countries wearing fluorescent equipment (helmet or jacket). However, they do this only by choice, the German and Italian legislation requiring the transport of the vest under the saddle to be able to dispose of it in case of breakdown, not its permanent wearing.

 

A proposal made last year by the CNSR with a threat of a fine of 35 € in case of non-port after the tragic-comic saga of the armbands and 150 cm² retro-reflective that had to be imposed – by day – motorcyclists and scooters. It will be recalled that the wearing of the retro-reflective vest is mandatory for cyclists traveling at night outside an agglomeration, the headlights and lights available on a bicycle are not very effective to be as visible as are these elements on a car or a Motorbike. On the other side of the Channel, high visibility vests are also used for all kinds of things.

 

Pedestrians: be visible on the roads with reflective vest

Since 2010, pedestrian mortality on the roads has been steadily increasing. In addition, accidents are more frequent at night. However, the wearing of the yellow reflective vest is not required in case of low visibility.

 

In 2014, 499 pedestrians were killed in France and 4,323 admitted for their wounds, according to statistics from the National Observatory of Road Safety (ONISR). Since 2010, the mortality of this category of users is constantly increasing.

 

At night, accidents are more frequent and more serious. The share of pedestrians killed at night represents 47% of the pedestrian mortality, or 233 pedestrians. It is a little stronger than that of all users killed at night (41%). However, this proportion varies according to the environment: pedestrians killed at night represent 32% of the pedestrian mortality in the city (342 of which 110 at night), 73% of the pedestrian mortality on roads outside urban areas (113 of which 83 at night) and 91% pedestrian toll on motorway (44 of which 40 at night).

 

At night or in fog, pedestrian groups should be visible

Wearing retro-reflective equipment, such as the yellow vest, is not required at night or in low visibility. Road safety only recommends that pedestrians wear light-colored clothing or retro-reflective tape to be visible at 150 m instead of 30 m. On the other hand, the Highway Code provides that “at night, or during the day when visibility is insufficient, the processions, convoys, processions or groupings of pedestrians must be indicated at the front by at least one white or yellow light Switched on and at the rear by at least one red light on.”

 

Wearing yellow vest for drivers stopped on the roadside

Since July 2008, motorists and truck drivers have to wear a yellow vest when they are forced out of their parked vehicle on the road or by the roadside. Since 1 January 2016, this requirement also applies to drivers of two or three-wheeled motor vehicles. In addition, the Labor Code requires the use of high-visibility clothing for workers working on roads and highways during construction work or temporary danger.

 

Raising the awareness of the youngest

Many local initiatives to protect pedestrians have been adopted. Departmental councils require the wearing of the yellow vest for children who use the school bus. Since the start of the school year 2015, a half-day of awareness of good behaviors and basic safety rules has been introduced in high schools. Wearing retro-reflective or fluorescent visibility elements on clothing, school bags or armbands is recommended.

 

Fluorescent motorcycle vests: What is the point?

This will only be surprising to the departments concerned, but here is another proof of the lack of usefulness of the latest CNSR recommendation regarding the fluorescent safety vest. In addition, we do not say it, or a pro-motorcycle organization, far from it.

 

On June 21, the National Road Safety Council gave a layer about the “safety” vest for bikers. The recommendation in question concerns the use of this retro-reflective device, which is supposed to avoid over-accidents in the event of a fall in low visibility or a night stop, with the threat of a fine of € 35.

Those who want to revel in the details of this obligation that does not say his name will be able to consult our dedicated news. The others, wondering if the transport of a vest under the saddle to quickly put it on after a fall will lower the vulnerability of motorized two-wheelers, will have their answer thanks to … Vinci Auto routes.

 

If you do not see the truck, will you see the biker?

On Twitter, the company Vinci has announced that two of their intervention vehicles were struck on Tuesday. With a more than conspicuous decoration, combining fluorescent colors, rotating beacons and multiple retro-reflective bands, it seems incredible that a motorist cannot see such a van and end up crashing into it.

 

Who sit at the CNSR, do you really think that imposing the transport of a motorcycle, or scooter vest (without sanctioning its absence, such as the breathalyzer) is more urgent and will save more lives than the fight against the causes of such collisions? Between two orders of speed cameras, could we not, for example, put in place controls, not speed only, but awakening? After all, who hits a fluorescent yellow truck for lack of vigilance will he pay more attention to a biker with high visibility vest, visually much less impressive, even painted yellow. The example given by Vinci Auto routes today can make us doubt…

 

The same motorway companies had already published statistics going against general communication, pointing to drowsiness and drugs as major causes of accidents on their network.

 

They hung on the logo and slogan of the yellow vest

The Children’s City Council met on Saturday. Aurora Caro, municipal councilor delegate for children and youth, guided the debates. This second council after the start of the school year had on the agenda: set the slogan and logo to be on the new yellow vests to distribute to schoolchildren this year. Remember that in 2016 and 2017, the motto “I think in the night, I think of my life” was flocked to reflective clothing.

 

“The reflective vest saves the lives of young and old”

The counselors endowed with a fertile imagination defended their proposals. “My vest equals my safety”, “Think about it, the reflective vest, everyone goes there,” “In Menu, on foot or by bike, you need a fluorescent vest,” “For your safety, wear a vest”, “With a vest, you are saved”…

 

Ultimately, the slogan adopted after the vote was that of Lilly-Sarah: “The reflective vest saves the lives of young and old.” As for the logo proposal, that of Algae won the majority of votes: two concentric circles in which a boy and a girl wearing a vest hold hands. The advisors decided to solicit local insurers to help them financially with the realization of the fluorescent vests.

 

Outdoor cinema on July 6

Three other points were adopted unanimously: the outdoor cinema, the visit of the rescue center and a day of animation. The open-air cinema session will be held on the last day of school, July 6, in the City Hall Park. On this occasion, Mila wishes this year a distribution of drinks and argues: “Eating popcorn makes you thirsty.” The day of animation could take place in March, the carnival in the morning then a boom in the afternoon room Alain.