Month: January 2021

According to the St. Gallen canton police, there is often a lack of clarity as to what rights and obligations pedestrians have in traffic. They provide clarity in a recently published guide.

 

Where do pedestrians have right of way?

People who are on foot in road traffic have right of way on pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, and footpaths that are marked with a blue mandatory sign. Every child knows: “I have right of way on the pedestrian crossing!” But suddenly crossing the street on a pedestrian crossing without waiting for an approaching vehicle to stop is not only inconsiderate but also dangerous. And it is also important for pedestrians to wear reflective vests in the night or dark time.

 

In meeting zones, pedestrians always have right of way over rolling traffic. This also applies when crossing the street. This looks different with 30 zones. “Pedestrians are generally allowed to cross the street anywhere, but they must give way to the vehicles on the street,” says the guide.

 

Behavior at the pedestrian crossing and light signals

According to the police, abruptly entering the pedestrian crossing without taking into account the rolling traffic can also be viewed from a legal point of view as “enforcing the right of way”, which is a violation of road traffic legislation. If the lane is crossed next to the pedestrian crossing, this could be punished with a fine of ten francs. This rule applies up to 50 meters before and after the pedestrian crossing. The same rules apply to pedestrian crossings and underpasses.

 

According to the police, it happens again and again that people in their motor vehicles are distracted while driving. “If someone enters the pedestrian crossing at this point, dangerous situations or even accidents can occur,” says the guide. Entering the road, for example behind a bus stopping or parked vehicles, is similarly dangerous.

 

Traffic lights also apply to pedestrians, at least those that are intended for such. Entering the lane when it is red and ignoring the light signal can be punished with a fine of 20 francs. “So it is not only worth waiting for the green phase of a light signal for safety reasons,” said the police.

It is sometimes difficult to circulate by bike in the city center in Angers. To help Angevins gain confidence, the town hall is making a bicycle guide full of tips available online and in print.

 

Mobility week is next week. And to help Angevins get started on a bike right away, the City has created a guide to feel at ease on two wheels. The idea is simple: remember the few basic safety instructions. It is available on rue de la gare at the Vélo Cité agency, and online. Like the “cyclist’s kit” with helmet, lights, and reflective vest.

 

Scooters are also concerned

Tips for avoiding accidents are also mentioned. For example, stand a meter apart along with parked cars so as not to be surprised by an opening door. Scooters have not been forgotten. They can circulate without a motor on sidewalks but cycle lanes if they are electric.

Due to the changing weather conditions, driving conditions become more and more difficult. In such winter circumstances, it is really easy to get involved in an accident. Police statistics show that this is the time of an increase in the number of collisions and accidents, including those with the most tragic consequences. That is why the policemen call for special caution and for taking the foot off the gas.

 

Real winter appeared outside the windows. A layer of snow of several centimeters caused the weather situation to change dramatically. It is a reason to be pleased for the youngest during the winter holidays because it will finally be possible to go sledding. However, not everyone is satisfied with the winter weather. For motorists, such conditions make the roads slippery and dangerous. Residual snow or slush causes that car drivers do not always remember the right behavior on the road. And yet, to travel safely, you just need to follow a few simple rules.

 

The uniforms remind you that the road surface combined with rainfall extends the car’s braking distance, and in extreme cases, the driver may skid and not control the car. Overtaking, passing, and cornering in these conditions can be very dangerous. The law enforcement officers make a special appeal to pedestrians not to go directly in front of an oncoming vehicle. Even at a pedestrian crossing, make sure that the driver has time to brake. Every pedestrian and cyclist should also remember their safety and make sure they are visible. A reflective vest, a headband, or even an ordinary flashlight will make it easier to be seen by the oncoming driver when driving on a dimly lit road.

 

“Winter road conditions mean that traffic policemen have their hands full. Not all drivers receive appeals for a reason and the proverbial taking off the gas. Last long weekend, in the Tczew, officers worked in places of 10 road collisions. At that time, there was no road accident and no drunk driver was revealed.” says asp. staff. Dawid Krajewski, spokesman for the Tczew police.

 

During difficult road conditions, the uniforms pay special attention to the daring drivers. Police officers react to such dangerous behavior on the road and also check the technical condition of vehicles, the sobriety of drivers, and the required documents.

 

“There is only one conclusion. Remember that humility and common sense, combined with compliance with the law in difficult winter conditions, means that we avoid unpleasant consequences, but above all, we benefit from road safety.” adds the policeman.

Soon we will sit down to the Christmas Eve dinner, which we will spend with our loved ones. The days immediately before Christmas are a time when we are all in a hurry, we are distracted and we are still running out of time. Before leaving, remember to secure your apartments and houses well and prepare for the trip.

 

As every year during Christmas, the policemen will take care of our safety. However, we encourage you to immediately forward this information to the responsible services by calling the emergency number 112 if you notice any disturbing situation or behaving strangely. It is also worth taking care of other items, such as a reflective vest, a thermos with a hot drink, or a blanket. Due to increased traffic on the roads, it is worth planning more time to get to your destination. Before leaving, let’s close the doors and windows carefully, and close the main gas and water valves. Additionally, to increase the safety of our property, let’s ask a friendly neighbor.

 

The opposition group Archipel Citoyen will propose to the Toulouse City Council this Friday, November 11 the payment of a bonus of 50 to 100 euros, intended for bicycle deliverers, so that they are equipped with safety equipment.

 

Citizen Archipelago supports bicycle delivery for men. To the point that the opposition group will devote a wish to them, at the Toulouse City Council on Friday, December 11. In particular to offer the payment of a bonus of 50 to 100 euros to each of them, so that they equip themselves with safety equipment (lighting, reflective vest, helmets or knee pads) or have their bikes repaired. A measure that could extend to all the voluntary municipalities of Toulouse Métropole. “Accidents and injuries are frequent when you exercise this profession, it is a matter of public health”, summarizes Michèle Bleuse. She insists on the sharp increase in the number of deliveries during confinement, that of couriers, which would be between 300 and 1,000, to date, in the city, and their risk-taking. “They are encouraged to multiply deliveries by moving as quickly as possible”. Moreover, as a cyclist, the elected Europe-Ecology-Les-Verts notes that the rag is burning more and more between the followers of two wheels and those of the car: “The invectives or provocations keep increasing . And this directly impacts the safety of delivery people”.

 

A working group to change the economic model

If Archipel Citoyen comes to the aid of this profession, it is also “because it responds to the ecological challenge of the last mile”, but above all “, because we must protect the weakest”, in the words of Hélène. Magdo, from France Insoumise. An echo of the social movement of delivery men, started several weeks ago, which demand, above all, the requalification of their status, from auto-entrepreneur to employee. “Today, they have no collective agreement, no right to unemployment, no contribution to retirement and very low social coverage … it is not a career choice,” recalls the elected. This is why the group will propose, in the first article of its wish to the Municipal Council, “to initiate a reflection to develop this economic model, so that it is more protective”, announces Michèle Blouse. This would consist of forming a working group with elected officials and professionals in the sector and supporting certain initiatives, such as cooperative projects.

In which cases is the fluorescent cycling vest mandatory?

Regarding the reflective vest, the Highway Code is clear. Article R431-1-1 precisely defines the conditions of the compulsory wearing of the yellow vest:

“When running at night, or the day when visibility is poor, while the driver and passenger must wear a cycle outside urban vest high visibility by regulations.”

 

In other words, the law obliges cyclists to wear a fluorescent vest when pedaling out of town and when the light is low. The notion of “insufficient visibility”, although difficult to define precisely, mainly appeals to common sense. As soon as night falls, it is obvious that visibility decreases. All the more so since public lighting is not as extensive outside the cities as in the city center. The vest allows the cyclist to be visible to all at times when the light is weakest. However, regardless of the time of day, visibility can also be reduced by other factors: fog, rain, snow, etc. Even in broad daylight, the vest also has an effect and its bright colors make it possible to catch the eye of other users.

 

The non-obligation to wear a reflective vest outside of these conditions does not mean that it should not be worn. Whatever the situation, cyclists are strongly advised, for their benefit, to dress in a way that they can be seen. A visible cyclist means less risk of an accident. The motorist who sees a cyclist naturally adapts his driving to the presence of the bicycle. If he does not see him, however, he may not change anything in his behavior. In addition to the essential importance of cycling facilities, by being visible, we reduce the risks when cycling.

 

A fine in the event of non-compliance with the law

Article R431-1-1 also specifies the penalties provided for in the event of non-compliance with the legislation.

“Any driver or passenger of a cycle contravening the provisions of this article is punished by the fine provided for 2nd class contraventions.”

That is to say a fine of 35 € – or 22 € for the reduced fine.