December 2019 - Reflective tape

Over 20,000 bicyclists died in road crashes; one tiny fix could have saved them

If Faridabad-based PP Singh has his way, bicycles wouldn’t be out on roads without retro-reflective tape affixed on them. Singh sees it as an effective tool on bicycles that can help motorists identify them and prevent a crash from taking place.

It all started when he had a narrow escape with an accident on a foggy winter night six years ago. “It was coming back from work. The bicycle in front of me not only lacked illumination but was also black, making it completely impossible for me to spot it, “says Singh, an IT manager and founder of the NGO.

The incident shook Singh. The following day, he started counting the bicycles with reflectors on his way to work and back. He continued the exercise for a month and was shocked to find that a whopping 80 percent cycles on roads did not have reflectors. Since then, he and his NGO team have fixed reflective tapes on more than 1 lakh bicycles in and around Faridabad.

Bicyclists are one of the most vulnerable road users in the country. According to data by the ministry of road transport and highways, bicyclists ’fatalities surged by a whopping 37.7 percent in 2017. In fact, in the six years between 2012 and 2017, as many as 24,755 bicyclists lost their lives in road crashes.

Passionate about his cause, Singh followed it up with a letter to the WHO suggesting reflective tapes as a long-lasting solution for the safety of bicycles. The effectiveness of retro-reflective tapes was also recognized by Union minister for transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari who wrote a letter regarding the same to the minister for consumer affairs, food, and public distribution, Ram Vilas Paswan in 2014. Sadly, the idea has ‘ t yet picked up.

POOR VISIBILITY, THE KEY REASON BEHIND CRASHES

One of the major reasons for crashes involving cyclists is poor visibility. To ensure bicycles remain conspicuous to other road users, especially in the dark, many cycles have a reflector on the rear mudguard. Sadly, the safety tool on the bicycle has never been taken by the riders. “A damaged reflector doesn’t hamper the movement of a cycle, so it not replaced by most cyclists. Even an educated bicyclist doesn’t appreciate its utility and bother replacing it, “adds Singh.

In 2015, the Supreme Court committee on road safety mandated a set of 10 reflectors conforming to ISO 6742-2 standards on different spots on bicycles. The good news is that cycle manufacturers have begun complying with it. Says Abhishek Munjal, director, Hero Cycles, “A set of 10 reflectors are installed across all ranges since 2016 as cyclist safety is of paramount importance for us.”

However, road safety experts aren’t happy. “Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recommends equipping bicycles with retro-reflective tapes too. This is very much-needed as reflectors aren’t that effective, “says KK Kapila, chairman, International Road Federation.

In India, bicycles are the most popular transport for commuting to work. A whopping 13 percent or 2.62 crore Indians cycle to work, according to Census 2011.

The retro-reflective tape is a simple and effective solution for a vast chunk of population riding old bicycles. It comes with many benefits:

One, unlike reflectors, the retro-reflective tape is not susceptible to breaking and therefore does not need replacement.

Two, it offers good visibility. A bicycle with a retro-reflective tape is easily visible from 100-200 meters, a good enough distance to be spotted by a motorist. However, for increasing the conspicuity of a bicycle, BIS recommends tapes at specific locations on bicycles. “The tape should conform to BIS specifications. The one that I experimented with, on a patch of road, washed away with just one rain but another one survived extreme weather conditions, has a good hold and even after six years is intact on all bicycles, “says Singh.

Three, it is cost-effective. A high-intensity reflective sticker of size measuring 2”x 2 “costs anywhere around Rs 12-15 against Rs 25-30 for a reflector. Also, reflective tapes are now available in smaller sizes, taking away the pain of buying a complete roll of tape and cutting it proportionately.

With India just two years away from meeting its target of reducing road crashes and fatalities by 50 percent, solutions like retro-reflective tapes can go a long way in making roads safer. What it needs is a concerted last mile effort that will make reflective tape easily accessible to cyclists.

Test ad suggesting Edmonton pedestrians wear reflective tape

Suggestions from the City of Edmonton that pedestrians should wear reflective tape to avoid collisions with vehicles as the daylight hours diminish are being met with a bit of backlash.

Will Edmonton adopt “Vision Zero”?

As part of its annual “Heads Up” campaign, the City of Edmonton put out a test ad to the Edmonton Insight Community that urges pedestrians to wear reflective material or attach reflectors to themselves to avoid being struck by a vehicle.

While the ad hasn’t been rolled out on the streets of Edmonton yet, some have shared the poster on social media. It shows a pedestrian wearing reflective tape and another carrying a flashlight. The same tips can also be found on the city’s website.

“When drivers are watching for headlights, wearing a strip of reflective material or a reflector can save your life,” the city’s website reads.

The test ad is part of the City of Edmonton’s “Vision Zero” campaign, a global initiative adopted by the city that aims to have zero fatalities and serious injuries on city streets.

Troy Pavlek, a local software developer who plans to run for Ward 11 councilor in the next municipal election, said the campaign goes against everything Vision Zero hopes to achieve.

“The big problem with this campaign is it continues a sort of trend the city has put forward where the onus seems to be on the pedestrian to modify their behavior to stay safe on the streets and that is not Vision Zero,” Pavlek said.

“When we’re saying it’s behaviors that need to be modified here, that’s the problem.”

The council hopeful said Vision Zero seeks to have the traffic system change to accommodate user behaviors, not the other way around. Pavlek believes the city should do more to make traffic infrastructure safer for pedestrians and drivers.

“Lighting crosswalks, putting more pedestrian crossing lights,” he said. “Extending curbs wherever pedestrians are frequently crossing is both a cheap and very effective way at signaling to pedestrians that: ‘this is a safe and convenient place to cross,’ as well as to drivers: ‘the road narrows here so you need to slow down. ‘ ”

According to the city, a pedestrian who wears dark clothing in the dark is not visible to drivers until they are 36 meters away from the vehicle.

“No matter who is at fault, a human body is no match for a vehicle. Pedestrians have only a 10 percent chance of surviving if the vehicle that strikes them is traveling over 50 km / h, “the city’s website reads.

A spokesperson with the city said pedestrians and drivers share responsibility when it comes to preventing collisions and it was not the intention of the test ad to place blame. While changes to infrastructure are in the works, Gary Dyck with the city’s Transportation Department said change doesn’t happen overnight.

“As you might guess, changing infrastructure takes time whereas daylight is decreasing now. So if we can tell pedestrians, drivers, to look out for each other now, we might save a life, “Dyck said.

“When it comes to a collision between a pedestrian and a car, a pedestrian always loses. So it doesn’t matter whose fault it is, the pedestrian loses. So if we can remind drivers to look out for pedestrians and pedestrians to be as visible as possible, we can save lives. ”

Pavlek maintains the initiative will discourage people from walking, which he said: “flies in the face” of what the cities messaging is supposed to be.

“We’re supposed to be prioritizing active modes of transportation – walking, cycling, taking public transportation – and instead, this puts pedestrians on the same level of responsibility as cars for managing their safety,” he said.

“It makes walking something that a pedestrian has to plan to do,” he continued. “When we make it more inconvenient for people to walk places by saying, ‘if you don’t wear reflective tape or reflective vest you’re insignificant danger’ that is going to make everyone less safe because we will get fewer people walking.”

Pavlek said it’s time to stop playing the blame game and instead, rally the city for a change.

“We need to stop blaming pedestrians, stop blaming drivers and start encouraging people to work together and encourage better design,” he said.

10 Tips to Keep Your Employees Safe from Accidental Falls

5,580 people in England and Wales had accidental falls mentioned as an underlying cause of death on their death certificate in 2017, according to new research by Safety Services Direct.

The study analyzed recent ONS data on mortality from accidental falls and found 15 people on average died each day in England and Wales because of these mishaps, with many instances occurring in the workplace.

Considering these findings, Nisha Lawrence, Operations Director at Safety Services Direct, gives 10 actionable tips to help keep your employees safe against accidental falls:

“Our research shows that all ages can be affected by accidental falls, so putting necessary health and safety practices in place in the workplace to avoid injuries and potential fatalities are vital. The irony is that fall injury are some of the easiest to prevent in the workplace”.

There are simple measures that can be put into place to significantly reduce these risks, such as:

Keep walking surfaces clean and avoid cluttering

When walkways are clear, the risk of injury greatly reduces. With an unobstructed path, the chance of a person falling over an object reduces, as does the potential of a spill that could create a dangerous slipping hazard.

Lighting

A workplace with effective lighting inside and outside of the building helps reduce the chances of an accident.

By illuminating areas that are commonplace for trips and falls to happen, you can shine a light on hidden dangers. This will reduce any chance of an accident.

Signage

Using health and safety signs in the workplace that are clear and well-placed helps identify areas with potential problems.

Placing a sign that indicates a step, gap or an uneven ground brings attention to hazards and increases their awareness and attentiveness. Reflective tape can also highlight issues.

Stairs / Handrails

Stairs are one of the most common areas for falls to happen in the workplace, so additional care is required here to prevent injuries.

Keep all stairwells well-lit and clear of obstacles, ensure handrails are fitted where possible, use reflective tape used to mark the top and bottom of the stairs, and fix any unsecured carpets or rugs that you have had to remove from the stairs.

Footwear

Make sure your workforce knows clearly what attire is needed, including which safety footwear is appropriate for the conditions they are working in.

Step ladders

Providing accessible equipment such as ladders and step ladders helps employees reach heights safely. By ensuring options are available, this reduces the possibility of an employee being hurt by climbing on chairs or tables.

Manage wires

Wires that are out in the open can create obstacles for employees and the public which could cause injury. Cables should be put behind walls or under carpets, so they remain hidden.

Install all power sources, servers, internet connections in places that can be easily accessed, to avoid cables appearing along walkways.

Check the condition of the floor

Cracks and holes in the pavement on the outside should be filled in. Repairing them immediately will reduce the risk of any injury happening.

When an area is waiting to be fixed, warning signs should be placed to highlight the danger.

Keep filing cabinets and drawers closed

Everybody has to open a filing cabinet or a drawer during the day but leaving them open can lead to injury. Staff should be encouraged to ensure all drawers and cabinets are closed when not used to avoid potential dangers.

Clean up spills immediately

If a spill happens in the workplace, it should be cleaned up immediately. If certain liquids penetrate the surface, it can cause a surface to be more slippery than before after it has been cleaned up.

When a spill takes place at work, warning signs should be placed around the hazard immediately, and whilst the clean-up of the wet floor takes place. If a floor is known to be slippery anyway, this needs to be highlighted with an appropriate sign.

Shining vest for motorcyclists!

Reflective elements for clothing, such as reflective vests increase the safety of the motorcyclist. But there is something even more effective.

The death of a motorcyclist is often decided by fractions of a second. Therefore, experienced riders know that they must have eyes on the stopwatch and that they must “see” through the eyes of the car drivers. They often register them late, sometimes they completely overlook them. At the same time, little contact with the vehicle can end up disastrously for a scooter or motorcycle rider. It is therefore important that it is visible and identifiable to other road users from a sufficient distance. These words are especially true at night and in poor visibility, but the rain. Do not rely on the lights of the motorcycle or scooter itself. For other drivers, they may be fused or lost in the lights of other cars. Headlight motorcycle respectively. the scooter, moreover, may seem to some participants as a car in the distance.

Therefore, when you sit on a scooter or motorcycle, consider what you wear. If possible, choose bright clothes, ideally with glaring elements. These colors are seen from a much greater distance than dark. If you are driving in poor visibility, make sure your clothing has reflective fabrics. Reflection of light will significantly increase your visibility. The larger the reflective surface, the better for you. Ideally, the reflective surfaces are front, back and side, so that you can be seen from all sides. Many jackets, coats, and trousers have reflective elements right inside. However, these areas are often relatively small. However, there are many reflective jackets for motorcyclists with a larger reflective surface. Usually, these vests are in glowing green or orange color, so they improve your visibility during the day. Some are full, others mesh, some are fastened with Velcro, others with full zipper. Their price ranges from a few euros to 100 euros. A simpler and cheaper alternative is a reflective belt.

When buying a reflective vest, verify that it is CE certified. It is not only the durability of the vest but also the quality of the reflective surfaces. The advantage of the jackets as such is that they are lightweight, storable, so you can keep them in the box under the seat during the day, and when you get to the night, you can put them on any clothes. The only exception is the Macna Vision Vest, which is only compatible with Macna biker jackets. It is attached by a zipper at the back and two hook-and-loop fasteners at the front of the third at the back. That’s what we have to test. Available in different S – XXL sizes (depending on jacket size), it costs around 30 euros. Its advantage is that it is very light and in a folded form occupies minimal space. When properly attached to the jacket, it holds firmly even at high speeds. In summer, you will appreciate that it leaves the ventilation holes of the jacket exposed. On the contrary, the disadvantage is that it is only visible from the front and back, and the reflective surfaces are, also, relatively small. The biggest disadvantage, however, is that it is only compatible with Macna jackets. I recommend it more visibility during the day. For the night I would choose a reflective vest with larger areas, and especially one that has reflective areas on the side.

Whatever clothes you buy, you will always have to rely on the car’s headlight to illuminate you. And it only illuminates you when the car is already relatively close. The higher the reflective material elements are, the later the car headlamp illuminates them. In other words, the higher the reflective elements, the closer the car is to you when it illuminates you. But there is another option – a jacket or vest with Scilif SunFibre technology. These are light filaments that actively emit light in all directions – in our case of a glaring light green color. Drivers will register you from a long distance, much sooner than their headlight would illuminate. Under ideal conditions, a vest with such a fiber is visible up to a kilometer! I would like to remind you that the most modern LED headlamps with support laser beam have an afterglow of about 600 meters, headlights of ordinary cars are somewhere on the border of 200-350 meters. And that is what we are talking about about the range of high beams. But let us return to our village. Vest Not only shines, but the specific shape of the light filament in the shape of a human silhouette will attract the attention of other drivers. Drivers will see you in it, even in a bend. The light filament itself is placed in a textile wrapping – so-called piping. It makes it possible for the light fibers to be sewn into any textile material, in our case a reflective vest. However, they can also be used in back bags and the like. Paspules increase the mechanical resistance of the fiber and at the same time increase the overall luminous intensity. Included in the vest is a small control unit with a battery and a source with two LEDs. Press and hold the corresponding button on the control unit for 3 seconds to turn the light on or off, brief pulses to change the light intensity in 3 degrees and the light or flash mode. Just in flashing mode, the vest attracts the attention of the drivers even more strongly.

According to intensity, respectively. In the flashing or flashing mode, the vest will stay on for 2.5 – 20 hours. The battery is charged via a micro USB connector, for example from a computer. However, a power adapter is also included. The charging method is an advantage on the one hand, because it is simple, on the other hand, a disadvantage. Because if you run out of battery while traveling, you don’t have a chance to buy and replace the batteries with your pump. The control unit with a battery and light source are located on the back of the vest in a small zippered pocket. The tested vest has not only luminous fibers but also classic reflective surfaces, which further increases your safety. The vest itself is mesh, which ensures ventilation of the body in summer. It is light (you can not feel the presence of electricity at all), it can be folded (even luminous fibers are flexible). The vest is made of high-quality materials, it is resistant to external influences including rain. When it gets dirty, you can wash it in an automatic washing machine – at a temperature of up to 40 °C for a manual washing program. However, you must first remove the control unit. This vest costs 159 euros, which is not enough, but what to invest if not in your safety? There is currently no better solution on the market.

Reflective vests are designed to protect pedestrians

Without reflective waistcoat or tape either to the store or to the neighbor. This may look like this year in Slovak villages and towns. In an amendment to the Road Act, the Ministry of the Interior suggests that pedestrians walking along the road should wear safety features in poor visibility if they do not walk on the sidewalk. Today they need to have reflective fabrics on their clothes only when they are outside the village.

With this measure, the Ministry wants to prevent traffic accidents, which usually end to the detriment of pedestrians. Out of the 442 accidents, last year caused by pedestrians, up to 384 has occurred in the village. If they do not have them, they can be fined 60 euros.

“I consider it stupid. In my opinion, it would be sufficient if only cyclists were to have a reflective sign. I cannot imagine that I should always wear such a vest. And there is also a financial factor. In our country, there are ten-member households who live in poor social conditions. I can’t imagine buying a reflective vest for everyone in the family,” says Silvia Juhászová, a 33-year-old resident of Camoviec in the Lučenec district.

Thirty-seven-year-old Fiľakovcan Tomas Csík understands the effort to protect pedestrians but does not agree with fines if they do not have reflective elements. “In the evening I use to walk a few meters to the neighbors. I am careful about cars. When any goes, I step aside to keep my eyes off. I cannot agree with the draft of such a law,” added 64-year-old Jan Hornan from Trebeľovce near Lucenec.

The mayor of Liptovsky Jan Juraj Filo cannot imagine how he explains the new duty to tourists. The village is visited annually by about 500 thousand. “If a foreign visitor gets such a fine for something, he won’t come anymore,” says Filo. The mayor of Strba, Michal Sykora, says there is no need to worry about the reflective elements. “I also try to explain to young people that it is not just a reflective vest, and these reflective elements can also look modern.”

The ministry points out that stricter rules for pedestrians have necessitated a negative trend in the number of accidents in which the most vulnerable road users die or suffer serious injuries. Last year, according to police statistics, 15 people were killed on roads, two of them children. “Pedestrians caused a total of 442 traffic accidents last year, of which 384 were in the village,” police spokeswoman Denisa Balogh said.

On the side of stricter regulations is also inclined to traffic analyst Jozef Drahovský, according to which drivers do not have many possibilities to deal with unmarked pedestrians or cyclists. “They only have to anticipate and think that there may be someone on the road,” he says, not even street lighting helps in dense fogs.

Marian Cabák from the School of Safe Driving says that people are often reluctant to invest even a few euros in reflective things unless they are explicitly ordered to do so. The price for a reflective vest with reflective material ranges from three euros upwards. Similarly, there are other elements, as the law permits them. They can also be reflective belts on the sleeve, smileys on school bags or various other iron-on transfers.

If the proposed amendment passed, the mandatory labeling in the municipality would become the same offense as the non-marking of a pedestrian outside the municipality today. This is subject to a fine of up to EUR 60.

Slovakia is not the only country trying to protect pedestrians with protective features. Czech transport police chief Tomas Lerch said last week that he wanted to create a discussion on mandatory reflective elements for all who would go out at night. He also wants to find a compromise whether it should be in the village, outside or everywhere.

Going on a bike tour? We will advise you what to take with you and where to go

Summer and autumn are ideal times for getting to know your surroundings from the bike saddle. If you like active relaxation, cycling may be the right thing for you. You are just starting on a bike and do not know what you can see on the way? Or have you covered thousands of kilometers and are you looking for inspiration for interesting routes? Let’s try to give you some tips.

First of all, it is necessary to check the technical condition of your bike. If you don’t dare to check it yourself, for a few euros they will take care of its complete inspection at every cycle service.

Being easily visible is essential

In the event of poor visibility, it is important to wear some reflective material elements, whether classic reflectors on a bicycle or reflective fabrics on clothing. If the reflective vest is unacceptable to you, you can also choose from less noticeable reflective bands. You can attach them to your shoulder or backpack. Varied is also the offer of clothing with reflective surfaces.

If you are unsure whether you come back in the light, make sure you have enough lighting. A flashing light at the back and a small front lamp on the bike should be a matter of course.

Prepare for minor repairs

When cycling, many things can go wrong on the bike. You need some tools for minor repairs. Where to put it? There are small seat bags on the market, often sold filled with basic tools. The second option is slightly larger pockets for the bicycle frame. But many people love the backpack. If you do not mind the load on your back and suffer sweating, this is the ideal option. In addition to the tools, you can comfortably carry water, food or spare clothes.

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What specifically should you take with you? The most common failure on the bicycle is a puncture. Do not forget the mounting levers, mini pump, and spare tube. Before driving, check that it is OK. A defect bonding kit is also used. Whether you prefer it or the soul is up to you, you can wear both for sure. Many problems are solved by a set of hexagonal hex keys. It is unnecessary to wear them all, so try those you may need and wear only those. To adjust the derailleur after an unpleasant fall, you will appreciate a flat-blade screwdriver;

Clothing will make your experience pleasant

It is also important to dress properly. You’ll hate old cotton t-shirts after a few kilometers. Sweaty gain, not only weight but also a significant aromatic trace. And probably nobody wants people to look for him because of the smell. Cycling t-shirts are made of modern materials that wick sweat away from the body well, while not keeping it as cotton. If you choose such a shirt, it is good if its fibers are enriched with elements of silver. This prevents the smell from spreading, otherwise, this shirt smells even more cotton. The advantage of these T-shirts is also good ventilation, which often has a zipper to regulate the air supply. Also on your back, you will find pockets in which you can put not only a bottle but also other small items.

But most important are pants. First of all, look at the pad. Rather, invest more in quality than you should curse a piece of cheap foam between you and the saddle after a few kilometers. On the bike you can do with classic sneakers, if you think more serious, reach for the third. You can choose from hiking to hardsports, the decision is yours.

We take the cycling helmet as a matter of course. You will also enjoy gloves and goggles.

What to pack with me?

You don’t need much for a day trip. If your route leads through places where you can buy supplies, all you need is your wallet and water. Especially in these heats, it is important to maintain a regular drinking regime. A variety of ionic drinks are available, which you can buy at many cycling or nutritional supplement stores. They are useful as the prevention of cramps and can also increase your performance. Various energy bars and gels are very good. Even if you are not a top athlete, they will certainly make your tour easier. It is good to have something else with you. It is important to carry with you more supplies than to stay hungry and thirsty somewhere in the forest. Take a light jacket for longer hikes and in variable weather conditions. Leave the raincoat at home, the bike will sweat and the body will not breathe through the plastic.

Everything ready, we can go

So where to go? Slovakia is rich in various cycling routes, you will find some in every corner of it. Let’s introduce you to just a few of the best-known sites. Surroundings of the capital wish mainly road cyclists. You will find many well-maintained cycle routes. You can take the Danube Bicycle Road to Hainburg, Austria. With better fitness is also an interesting trip to Lake Neusiedl.

Central Slovakia is represented by terrains around Banská Štiavnica. Not too long climbs, but some quite steep perfectly test your fitness. By bike, you can get to know the mining history of this town and the surrounding mysteries. The north of Slovakia and the surroundings of Zilina are also attractive. You can enjoy less demanding cycling in the picturesque villages of Orava such as Terchová or Čičmany. Mountain bikes can be used in the valleys of the Great and Small Fatra.

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Eastern Slovakia also offers many opportunities, Strážovské Hills and Ondavská Highlands are suitable for fans of mountain biking. Less demanding will certainly appreciate the routes around Domaš, Prešov or Levoča. Low Tatras are also popular. The highest marked cycling route leads to the top of Kráľova hole. However, it is not suitable for road bikes, because the lower part leads along a forest road and driving on thin tubular tubes, especially downwards, will probably suffer. Nice and interesting routes can also be found in the High Tatras. Well-known are the Popradské Pleso and Silesian House. The pearl is the route to the cottage at the Green Ball. But we warn the less experienced to be careful. Especially in the last part, there are many really big stones on the pavement. So if you regularly drive along wide forest roads to your apartment and feel like a good mountain biker, this is the perfect chance to test your skills. We recommend a full suspension bike and a lot of experience so that this tour does not become a cake for you.

Do not overestimate your strength

That is the basic rule, especially in the case of severe heat. Plenty of fluid and common sense. Remember, it’s not a shame to get out of the bike, sit in the shade and relax in peace. You don’t have to break records and chase with the younger ones. Cycling is about enjoying nature, having a pleasant conversation with friends and strengthening your health. Not to destroy it. So find your hobby in it and she will reward you. It lets you identify places that would otherwise be hidden from you.

Obligatory equipment of car 2019

Mandatory car equipment is a frequent feature that police investigate during roadside checks. For many drivers, it used to be a scarecrow, but from 1 October 2018, however, the compulsory equipment in many cases has been simplified. So what is mandatory in 2019 to carry with you and what is no longer necessary?

For 2019, the compulsory equipment of the car consists of a reflective vest, a warning triangle, and a first-aid kit. Conversely, a set of fuses and spare bulbs is no longer mandatory. The amendment of the Decree on Approval of Technical Capability and Technical Conditions of Operation of Vehicles on Roads. Thus reflects the technical achievements of 21st-century cars. After all, in times of xenon and diode headlamps, the driver does not change his bulb anyway.

In this context, the simplified obligation to carry a spare wheel and replacement kit must also be mentioned. If the car is equipped with so-called run-flat tires (such as run-flat) allowing for puncture indication and emergency landing, the spare wheel is not mandatory.

The reserve does not have to be carried even by those drivers who, thanks to the assistance service, have secured the replacement or repair of a damaged tire continuously throughout the Czech Republic. An alternative to a spare wheel is the tire repair kit.

However, if you do not meet any of these requirements, you must continue to carry a spare wheel (tire rim), including a wheel nut wrench and a hand lift with sufficient load capacity.

As far as the medicine chest is concerned, from October 2018 it does not have to be a three-pointed scarf, a patch with a cushion and a plastic mask. Similarly, there is an obligation to change the first aid kit because of the end of expiration. However, if you use any of the elements, you must, of course, add it.

And what is compulsory in the first aid kit? It consists of the following seven elements: one-pad finished bandage, two-pad finished bandage, smooth reel patch, rubber throttle bandage, rubber latex gloves, scissors, and isothermal foil, at least 200 x 140 centimeters.

When traveling abroad, it is not a matter of seeing the mandatory equipment in that country. Yes, while the Vienna Convention of 1968 applies that the vehicle should be equipped according to the country in which it is registered, but its enforceability is sometimes problematic. While local police officers have to take into account the fact that in the Czech Republic mandatory equipment may differ from the country, but the duplication of laws often complicates the situation. For example, when it is the duty to put on a reflective vest when getting out of a vehicle on a motorway – the Vienna Convention no longer applies.

Therefore, when traveling abroad, we recommend carrying a tow rope or reflective vest for all crew members (not only for the driver), which should also be within reach, so they should be located in the cabin and not at the bottom of the baggage. In Bulgaria or Poland, it is mandatory to carry a fire extinguisher with you, in France an alcohol tester. In winter, pay attention to the local obligation of winter tires.

Mandatory equipment in 2019

In the fall of last year, the Ministry of Transport amended the regulations on mandatory car equipment to better reflect modern times. From October 1, 2018, you no longer need to carry a set of spare bulbs. Likewise, a set of fuses disappears from the mandatory equipment. The responsible motorist can, of course, carry at least the basic bulbs and fuses. He just won’t get fined for not having them in the car.

The prescription for the first aid kit has also changed. Newly enough is a first aid kit without a three-pointed scarf, drape or patch with a pillow. And it will no longer need to be changed for expiration. So if you have an older type of medicine chest, it’s okay. Only the equipment of the first-aid kit must be changed. The ministry originally wanted to ‘throw’ the scissors out of the medicine chest, but they remained.

In brief info, the Ministry of Transport explained what is mandatory from 1 October 2018:

The amendment to the Decree on Approval of Technical Capability and Technical Conditions of Operation of Vehicles on Roads (No. 341/2014 Coll.) It also simplifies and specifies the obligation to carry a spare wheel in the car and equipment necessary for its replacement, such as a hand lift.

“Vehicles with spare tires do not need to carry the spare wheel and at the same time indicate a puncture. Vehicles may also have a means for removing the damaged tire instead of a spare. The third exception is vehicles that have an assistance service, which provides replacement or repair of damaged tires continuously throughout the Czech Republic,” said the Ministry of Transport.

Only the reflective vest and the warning triangle remain unchanged. Of course, you still have to carry the medicine chest, only its mandatory composition changes and the conditions for its validity have been modified. The spare wheel or full-fledged wheel (and wheel wrench and jack) must then continue to be carried by all those who do not have a puncture assistance service or have a vehicle that does not have run-flat tires. Likewise, even if you have assistance, of course, you can carry the reserve. Let everybody consider it himself, whether he wants to wait for the tow, or he can change his bike in ten minutes.

A tip at the end: A powerful LED flashlight can fit your car’s equipment. If there is a problem with the car in the middle of the night, a flashlight with higher luminous flux will be useful. The torches are compact, lightweight, and unlike mobile phones, it is easier to put them and point them in the right place while you are replacing a punctured wheel.

Revolution on the road: No risk of wearing reflective elements!

Revolution on the road! Today, at midnight, a new duty began to apply to pedestrians, who now have to wear reflective material elements at night and in poor visibility to be well visible, otherwise, they face a fine of up to two and a half thousand crowns. But as we found out tonight, pedestrians hardly know about it, and so they don’t.

People do not know about the new regulation at all, or simply because they are to have reflective elements on them. People returning home along the road at night are not visible at all. From today on, police officers can impose a fine of up to two thousand fines on unenlightened pedestrians.

For example, some pubs are already thinking of getting reflective tapes or waistcoats for their regulars and lending them for their night return home.

Police throughout the country in the coming days and weeks are planning special night events focused on pedestrian controls. In one breath, however, they promise that they will be a little more benevolent about fines for offenses, at least initially.

For example, the measure has already been introduced in Slovakia, and in five years of operation, the number of killed pedestrians has decreased by almost half. Over the past three years, more than five hundred pedestrians have died in the Czech Republic, more than three hundred at night.

Novice drivers cannot drive at night

Scientists from the Brno University of Technology have developed a unique methodology for night driving. It was created based on research that looked at the reactions of drivers to pedestrians in the dark in real traffic. Driving at night is the most difficult for beginners, yet driving school textbooks do not.

What influences the visibility of pedestrians at night and how fast is the driver’s reaction? Researchers from the Institute of Forensic Engineering investigated answers directly in the field between the municipalities of Lednice and Břeclav.

They involved four helmets and more than two dozen drivers. They used special glasses with recording cameras for research. “The first camera rotates with the driver’s head, which means that it senses where the driver is looking, and the second camera captures the driver’s eye. They measure the direction of the viewpoint,” said the head of research at the Institute of Forensic Engineering of BUT.

By comparing the two records, the scientists concluded that while a man dressed in white would be seen by a driver with low beams turned on for nearly eighty meters, pedestrians in black only for thirty. In the first case, the driver has four seconds to react, but in the second he has only a second and a half.

Some reflective material elements may not be seen by drivers

Although the law requires pedestrians to wear reflective elements outside the village, it does not say exactly what and how. Some reflective tapes, for example on the shoulder, may not be sufficient, according to experiments by the Institute of Forensic Engineering. “It is important that the pedestrian use more reflective elements and some on the lower body,” said Robert Aldus. Research also found that a muddy car is harder to see at night than during the daytime, and pointed out the danger of a nightly collision with wildlife.

Based on these results, the researchers developed two methodologies. One is used by forensic experts to deal with traffic accidents, and the other – Driving in Visibility Reduced by Darkness – can be used by driving instructors in their classes. Educational textbooks on the market deal with this issue only marginally or not at all.

The driving school has acquired a simulator and offers a special course

Petr Simara from Brno uses his teaching materials in his driving school and also bought a simulator that can simulate driving at night. “I think it’s a question of the driving school. How he does it and how much space he can and the interest of the client, said the driving school operator Petr Šimara. Therefore, for an additional fee, it also offers an above-standard course, where people can try night driving even in normal traffic.

Experts recommend that instructors devote at least one hour of theory to future drivers and two hours of theory to professional drivers instructing night driving. In their view, it would also be appropriate if questions related to this problem were raised in driving tests.