Month: November 2018

The steps you must follow when you have a breakdown on the road

Both in the city and on the road, in case of an emergency, connect the emergency signaling to notify other users.

Whenever you can, slow down and head towards the shoulder or to a side away from the main road, where the car and its occupants are protected.

When you have a breakdown on the road, try to signal your vehicle well so that other drivers know your situation.

The average age of the passenger car fleet in Spain is now 12 years old and according to data from the General Directorate of Traffic, about 65% of the vehicles that circulate in Spain are more than ten years old. With these data, it is not strange that road failures increase. In 2016, mechanical problems increased by more than 16%, as confirmed by the RACE Fault Barometer. Breakdowns related to batteries or tires and traffic accidents were the most frequent problems.

Older cars or those that are poorly maintained are more likely to suffer a breakdown or accident, so be prepared to know how to act. Both in town and on the road, in case of any problem or emergency, emergency signaling must be connected to notify other users.

On the road, we must act with greater care due to the higher speed at which the vehicles circulate. Although it is an unforeseen and complicated situation, it is important to remain calm to act quickly and accurately without looking away from what is happening around you. Whenever you can, slow down and head towards the shoulder or to a side away from the main road, where the car and its occupants are protected.

Remember that, if you are forced to stop the car in a place that interferes with the movement of other vehicles, it is mandatory that you use emergency triangles. Do not forget that both the driver and passengers must put on the reflective clothing with reflective tape for clothing before leaving the vehicle. Failure to comply with these regulations and/or not use the triangles carries a fine of 200 Euros.

Once the presence of the vehicle is well marked and the occupants are not in danger, you can call the assistance service through your insurance company to come to help you or through any company specializing in roadside assistance. It is important that you stay away from the road to avoid abuses and that at no time you remove the reflective vest.

Children demand respect

The dark season holds danger in the traffic. This is what the action “Can you see me?”

In the past year, a total of 205 children in road traffic crashed in the city triangle. The dark season holds particularly many dangers. And this is exactly what this week saw the joint “Can you see me?” Action by the police and road patrol yesterday in the southern district.

In the intersection motorists were torn from their morning routine: Several large clusters of yellow glowing figures had positioned themselves at various points of the intersection and beamed the drivers in the dark from afar. These drove automatically slower to curious to see what was happening so unusual on the intersection. It was the children of the local daycare center and St. Josef, as well as students of the GGS, who demanded the attention of the drivers equipped with reflective safety vests and lanterns, with rattles and shouts and a large banner. “Can you see me?” Read on the poster.

One or the other motorist, who had been on the move, was stopped, enlightened and admonished by the policemen who accompanied the action. Drivers should know that children are unpredictable on the road, that pedestrians are less well off in the dark months, and reducing the speed protects the weakest road users, in this case, children as pedestrians, traffic police officer Michael summed up the key messages for motorists.

On the other hand, the children were taught that they had to make themselves visible to the rest of the road users, such as reflective safety vests, reflective materials on shoes, clothing, and backpacks which made of reflective fabric or just with the help of newly purchased lanterns, which were used for the first time, as Otto Mahler, chairman of the Traffic Watch told. Since 2015, the non-profit organization regularly distributes safety vests in day-care centers. Over the past three years, more than 1000 pieces have come together. Now 700 lanterns with the traffic signs “Tempo 30” have been added, which were distributed in advance to 40 Remscheid daycare centers. “The lanterns were financed by the Verkehrswacht Remscheid,” said Mahler. Developed by the Remscheid company Hamper and manufactured by the company from Wuppertal they should provide more security, at least make attentive and sensitize. “It is another building block in the task to increase the visibility of the children,” said Mahler.

In the St. Josef daycare center, the lanterns were not only used by the preschool children, who were standing on a green strip at the crossroads. “We have also used the lanterns on our Martin train to secure the movement and to make the parents aware of it,” said Kita director Stephanie Radix.

After all, even parents who drive their children to school themselves can sometimes become a source of danger on the morning way to school.

A parade in the city center before different actions

Several dozen “yellow vests” who wore yellow reflective vests formed a procession this Sunday afternoon in downtown, where the action could take a form other than the dams filtering.

Between 50 and 70 yellow vests marched in downtown, this Sunday, from 2:45 pm. They converged on the fair Saint-Martin installed place Jean, shouting “Fairgrounds with us”. The demonstrators had found support acquired since the fairground manufacturers are several to display the famous vest on their attractions. On Saturday 17 November, the first day of this mobilization, they were at the head of the snail operation which had gathered between 200 and 250 vehicles.

Stop what can penalize citizens

The call for this rally was launched via the Facebook group. A medium on which the communication will be redesigned, as indicated by Aurelia and Laetitia, two new spokespersons “yellow jackets” who wore reflective clothing with reflective tapes. The idea is to “stop the actions that can penalize citizens, but to ensure that this movement continues to be visible,” explained the two young women.

The members of the local movement agreed to stop the filter dams. However, it is expected that this place continues to host his lot of yellow vests, but no impact on traffic. In the ranks of the demonstrators gathered in front of the tourist office, some reminded moreover that they have been there daily for more than a week.

The two spokespersons did not wish to say more about the nature of future actions. This information will be delivered in priority to Yellow Vests via Facebook, a new group, closed this one, having been created. In addition, they indicate that a regrouping of movements at the Cornwall scale is underway. They had to meet officials from other cities, especially Quimper, this Sunday.

What should you know before traveling?

Poles do not shy away from foreign car trips. They often result from saving compared to, for example, air transport prices. Regardless of the reason for the decision to travel by own car to other countries, you should prepare yourself accordingly. Second movement rules in other countries usually differ from those in force in Poland.

Although the issues of equipping a car traveling on European roads are set out in the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, in many countries, there is no shortage of different legal tools.

What to pay attention to before traveling abroad by car?

A national driving license is sufficient for traveling around Europe. The obligation to have an international driving license is min. In Mexico, Brazil or the United Arab Emirates. The issue of car documents and insurance looks different. Regardless of the direction of travel, you must take your registration document and proof of the OC policy with you. In addition, in the case of trips to countries outside the European Union, it is necessary to have an international insurance certificate. Colloquially, it is referred to as a “green card”.

Another important issue during the preparation for a foreign trip is checking traffic regulations with particular emphasis on all restrictions. It is worth paying attention to:

Speed limits on particular types of roads.

Regulations regarding the possession of a reflective vest with reflective tape for the driver and passengers.

Procedure for dealing with roadside checks.

Rules on the obligation to ride on winter tires (in winter).

How should a car be equipped for a foreign trip?

Thanks to the provision of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, it is enough that the car will be equipped with reflective materials that are required by national law. If the driver has everything he needs to drive in Poland, it is also sufficient for trips to other European countries.

At the same time, it should be noted that even the reflective vest is not considered as a car’s equipment and its possession is required in many countries. For your peace of mind, it is worth having not only a vest but also spare bulbs and fuses that can be useful in case of problems with the car.

As for the specific requirements for mandatory car equipment in the countries concerned, such data are published by the European Commission.

The police soon “shone” at the pedestrians in Ostrava

With the arrival of typically autumn weather and shorter days, accidents involving pedestrians are increasing every year. Experts believe it is advisable for pedestrians to have reflective materials in cities where it is not mandatory yet.

Fog, rain and still shortening the day. These factors, combined with carelessness and carelessness, are worth pedestrian accidents. Every year, police record an increased number of such cases. Accidents occur mostly in the evening and in the evening, but also in the morning when there is no daylight.

And on the pedestrian’s behavior in low visibility, the Moravian-Silesian police officers focused on Tuesday. “Enlighten” them in the morning on the busy Centro Street in Ostrava.

In this context, experts recommend that people have reflective features even in cities where it is not yet mandatory. The obligation applies only when the visibility is limited outside the community when moving along the edge or edge of the road in a location where there is no public lighting.

According to experts, it is important on the roads to observe the rule of seeing and being seen. Under reduced visibility, this is double. Many drivers who injured pedestrians said they did not see it at all or too late. Pedestrian visibility can be enhanced by suitably chosen colors of clothing, patches, and accessories from special materials. Still used are the reflective tapes that people put on their clothes or bags. They are visible up to 200 meters.

Police officers handed out fines but also well-visible bags

Police officers checked more than one hundred vehicles and 28 drivers committed a misdemeanor. On Friday, police spokeswoman Marketa John summarized the findings of the traffic safety event that took place in Melnik on Wednesday afternoon. Police officers went into action concentrating above all on seat belts, holding a mobile phone behind the wheel – as well as using the blinkers when leaving the roundabout.

The use of belts by the driver or co-driver has been omitted in six cases. Even seven times police officers fined for a poor technical condition. And three times the speed was detected, John recalled frequent (and repetitive) offenses. “One driver drove under the influence of alcohol,” she added. “He breathed in a single promise,” she said, that the value found remained below the threshold separating the offense from the offense.

However, police officers gave not only sanctions but also reflexive items. Already in the morning, they focused on the visibility of pedestrians. For children, they had reflective tapes, drivers got reflective vests and seniors bags with reflective fabrics. “The most reflective materials were distributed in the village, where the bus stop is illuminated. Walkers in dark clothes are almost invisible here, “added John.

 

“Do not be a blindfold: bike in Aachen, but bright”

Stephanie Kipper promotes the campaign “Do not be a blindfold: bike in Aachen, but bright” for a working lighting on the bike – especially in the dark season.

“Do not be blindfishes: bike in Aachen, but bright”: With this action, the city of Aachen is again promoting road safety for cyclists this autumn with functioning lighting and reflective clothing.

It did not take a minute, as Stephanie Kipper and her team met three traffic offenders. All of them were traveling with their bicycles and did not disregard traffic lights or traffic signs; on the contrary, they were barely visible.

That this is especially dangerous in the current season emphasized Kipper, project manager of the urban campaign “Bike in Aachen” insistently: “The dark months have begun and you realize that the light on the bike does not work but has no time to fix it, However, anyone who wants to be perceived on the bike as an equal road user, needs a working light and reflective vest on the bike. “For this reason, Kipper and her team stood in the context of the action” Do not be a blind fish: bike in Aachen, but bright! “At various locations in the Downtown and made road users aware of missing or barely visible light.

The action took place for the second time. “When it gets dark so early, accidents often happen that would have been avoidable if the bicycle had been adequately lit,” said Kipper. The aim was, to sensitize the cyclists to make sure that their lighting system work. In luggage had the actors bright vests with reflective materials, stickers and also glowing arm and leg bandages. As a result, at least some cyclists could continue their way a little safer.

300 injured cyclists

Nearly 40 percent of cyclists are traveling in the dark with poor or no lighting. The number of injured cyclists recorded in police accidents has been around 300 for several years. Not to be forgotten is the fact that bicycles must be equipped with a functioning lighting system, as stipulated by the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). Anyone traveling without proper lighting not only risks fines but also risks being overlooked in traffic in the dark.

“Everyone knows that driving without light is forbidden. Therefore, we do not work with a raised finger, but try to get attention with unconventional methods. Humor brings here more than the reference to paragraphs. “summed up Kipper. And so, for one or the other well-equipped and thus well-visible cyclist, there was also a small chocolate saloon to reward.

Over 20% of cyclists are out in the evening without light

Correct bike lighting plays a key role in preventing accidents. A sample survey in the nine largest Swiss cities has shown that the correct use of bicycle lights still requires a great deal of action. More than 20% of the cyclists were without light at night and endangered themselves and other road users. More than 50% of cyclists in the city of Geneva were without light and reflective vests. With this survey, the TCS wants to set an example in the context of the “Day of Light” and to raise awareness of this important topic.

Of the sampled bikes, almost 80% were properly equipped with front and rear lights. Sometimes the lighting was poor. The results in the different Swiss cities were very different. The leader was the city of Aargau, where 100% of the tested bicycles were underway with the right lighting. At the bottom, the city of Geneva, where only about half of the tested bicycles with proper light were traveling.

“Light-biking without light not only puts one’s own safety at risk but anyone without light endangers all other road users Lack of visibility is a common cause of accidents Many of these accidents could be avoided with little effort,” says Helmut, TCS traffic safety expert.

At dawn and at night, the risk of the accident is three times higher than during the day. If there is rain, snow or backlighting, the accident risk is even up to ten times higher. Correct light is important in two ways: it increases the safety of cyclists because they can better recognize and at the same time they are perceived by other road users earlier and better.

Regulations in Switzerland

Concerning bicycle light, there are clear rules: the headlight must be white, the taillight must be red. Both bicycle light must not flash and must be visible from 100 meters away. Basically, almost every standard bicycle light meets the legal requirements. Nevertheless, there are better and less suitable light for different types of bicycles and need (see TCS (2016) test report). It is important in any case, that you are completely visible.

Reflective clothing is important

In unfavorable conditions, a person wearing dark clothing is only visible to drivers from a distance of 25 meters. That’s often too late. Clothes with reflective fabrics are already visible from a distance of 140 meters and allow the other road users more time to react. The fact that luminous vests will not prevail in wide for practical and fashionable reasons, fashion industry and trade have been recognized. Meanwhile, there are already numerous products on the market, in which security and style can be quite combined. The MADE VISIBLE campaign by the Traffic Safety Fund aims to actively promote exactly this development and offers on its homepage a helpful overview of solutions that are already available and suitable for everyday use.

Safety vests for the first graders

“Just make sure” is the motto of the ADAC safety campaign for the first graders. This year, the ADAC Foundation “Gelber Engel” distributed 760,000 of the popular yellow safety vests nationwide to new schoolchildren.

With the coming dark season, especially the young road users are overlooked. Reflective tapes and signal colors increase the visibility, because a child in dark clothes recognizes a motorist only from 25 meters away, with the ADAC safety vest already from 140 meters.

A few days ago, the annual transfer of the safety vests to the children of the new first classes took place at the school. As usual, the vests were handed over by Mr. Floss from the Reagan police. Also present were Rector Jana and the teachers of the first classes.

Mr. Floss greeted the 94 children and made them realize how important wearing this vest in the dark season. All students were enthusiastic about this meaningful gift and promised to always wear the vest with reflective material on the way to school and immediately put it on for a joint photo.

 

In the autumn, let’s be careful on the road!

Autumn is a dangerous time for all road users. Police statistics show that the most accidents happen at this time of the year. During this time, the conditions on the road are very variable and dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians who become less visible on the road. Fast darkening, rainfall, slippery surface, are factors negatively affecting safety.

Heavy rain, fog, early darkening, reduce visibility on the road. The wet and slippery roadway is also not conducive to the driver. An additional difficulty is often lying on the roadway leaves – in such conditions, the braking distance may dangerously extend, and in extreme cases, the driver may slip and not control the car. In the autumn, roadways may already be frozen, and therefore slippery, and in such situations, the wheels easily lose their grip. Overtaking in such conditions, passing, cornering can be very dangerous. You should pay special attention to the depressions of the terrain, on hills, near forests and water reservoirs – the road can be particularly slippery there. Exercise extreme caution near pedestrian crossings. Also, be careful when commuting to them. If the pedestrian enters the passage, the driver may not slow down.

The police recommend that you check the condition of the tires in the vehicle in use (tread depth and correct tire pressure) and vehicle lighting. Drivers should remember to navigate the road with lights on and observe speed limits. It is worth remembering that in conditions of reduced air transparency, we should turn on the low beam, and if the visibility is limited to less than 50m, turn on the rear fog lamps. Note that we do not move on daytime running lights with reduced air transparency. Such security measures can save lives not only for us but also for other road users.

Changing the aura forces drivers to change their driving technique and adjust their speed to the prevailing road conditions – unfortunately, many of them seem to forget about it. We remind you that exceeding the speed limit and not maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front is one of the most common causes of accidents in autumn. If there is fog or heavy rainfall and heavy traffic on the road – you should slow down to the speed allowing the driver to control the traffic situation. Remember – permissible speed does not always mean speed SAFE! It is also important to remember about the proper and compliant use of fog lights and daytime running lights.

This period is also dangerous for drivers of motorcycles, who are increasingly using their machines until late autumn, and even throughout the year. Unfavorable atmospheric conditions reduce the grip of asphalt tires and even a seemingly ineffective fall when trying to brake suddenly can end tragically.

A special appeal is also directed at pedestrians not to go directly in front of an oncoming vehicle. Even at the pedestrian crossing, make sure that the driver can slow down. Of course, the pedestrian takes precedence over the passage, but here the principle of limited trust is most applicable.

Every pedestrian and cyclist should also remember about their safety and take care to be visible. A reflective vest, keychain, headband or even a flashlight will make it easier to see the oncoming driver when moving on a poorly lit road. We would like to remind you that from August 31, 2014, all pedestrians who move around the dusk along the way outside the built-up area must have a reflection visible to the drivers. The lack of a reflective element is threatened by a fine. Although traffic regulations do not impose an obligation to use vests and reflective elements in the built-up area, they, to a large extent, improve visibility. Therefore, we encourage pedestrians to wear reflective clothing which made of reflective materials at any time of the day, also in built-up areas, because they greatly improve visibility and avoid tragedy. They give drivers valuable time to take the right response – often saving lives and health.

An additional difficulty in the autumn (not only for drivers) is often worse well-being. The bad mood can affect the speed of reaction and concentration, which is also worth remembering when getting behind the wheel of a vehicle and moving on the road.