Author: stellaqi

Pedestrians must have mandatory reflections from September

From August 31, all pedestrians outside the built-up area and after dark must have a reflective element. Is it Absurd recipe? Not at all.

 

Mandatory reflective elements from 31 August will have to wear Polish pedestrians. Many people are already protesting against “the next regulations of life” and consider this a jump on the money – an easy way to create a new field in which the police can earn many credentials. However, even though I am against excessive regulation myself, I accept this duty with enthusiasm – because the reflections serve not only pedestrians. Anyone who has ever driven an unlit road at night knows it well.

 

From 1 September, pedestrians will have to wear reflective vest after dark and outside built-up areas. Indignant new provisions often overlook these two conditions. Wrongly – because it is this detail that makes the obligation sense and is needed. Outside the built-up area, roads often lead through forests or are on the sides embellished with a row of trees – after dark you cannot see anything. The lights of the car illuminate a small piece of the road, the driver is focused on driving, has a very small chance of seeing a pedestrian going along the side or the edge of the road. If there are clouds, you can only see a few meters before the car. In addition, remember, outside built-up areas, cars usually move faster than 90km / h, especially after dark when roads are empty.

 

Pedestrians without glare are then simply invisible. The reflective material changes this diametrically – all you need is a wristband, because the state has not begun to require us to wear waistcoats. One item that can be purchased at the kiosk, at any bazaar, for 2 zlotys. Added to this is the fact that pedestrians walk often without imagination, going almost to the belt.

 

 

 

Police gave pedestrians reflective vest during the inspection

During their Saturday action, the police from Zama distributed gifts … to controlled persons. Pedestrians, who were poorly visible after dark, handed out reflective vests. However, there were also those for whom the meeting with uniforms ended with a mandate.

 

Saturday activities were focused on pedestrian safety. Therefore, the uniforms paid particular attention to how drivers behave towards road users, but also controlled the behavior of these “unprotected road users.”

 

Several people who moved without reflective elements took away the uniform from the uniforms glowing in the darkness. – People encountered without reflections were told how important for the life and health of the pedestrian is its visibility on the road. The police officers promoted the habit of wearing reflectors not only outside the built-up area, but also in the built-up area – emphasizes Dorati, a spokesperson for the Municipal Police.

 

He added that during the weekend activities, road traffic officers found more than 30 offenses committed by pedestrians and almost 15 committed by the driver. Most often, the pedestrians walked on the wrong side or crossed the road in unauthorized places. However, the most common offense of the drivers was bypassing the vehicle, which stopped to give way to pedestrians – explained the police officer in safety vest.

 

 

 

Let yourself be seen on a motorcycle

Car drivers very often admit that there was an accident, because the motorcyclist did not notice. We suggest how you can improve your visibility on a motorcycle.

 

The Hurt report initiated by the Department of National Transport Safety of the United States confirmed that when the motorcyclist wore bright yellow, orange or red safety vest – the probability of participating in the accident decreased because his “visibility” was increasing significantly. In contrast, the MAIDS study, commissioned by the Association of European Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) with the support of the European Commission, showed an increase in the number of accidents that occurred when motorcycle drivers wore dark clothing.

 

Therefore, more and more often, clothing manufacturers permanently fix reflective elements and use materials in neon colors in their products. However, if we do not have such an outfit, we can stock up on: reflective stripes on the torso or ankle, vests or butterflies on the shoulders. Such additions will make you more eye-catching in the daytime, and in the dark, reflective elements will reflect the vehicle’s headlight. Very often you can also personalize them with any inscription.

 

Helmet manufacturers are also more and more often in their offer, not only better white helmets visible in the day, but also those equipped with reflective graphics and neon colors:

Motorbike and helmet can be reflective also on their own. For this purpose, you need to buy straps to stick in the rim of the rim or a universal reflective tape to wrap selected elements of the motorcycle. The choice is considerable; we can choose colors and, for example, adjust them to the color of the motorcycle.

 

In order to bind your visibility at night, you should take care of the right lighting in your motorcycle. Check the light setting at the diagnostic station, and replacing a bulb with higher brightness can improve visibility by up to 60% (the bulb should be approved). An additional method to increase visibility is also the assembly of enlarged or additional STOP light, on the trunk.

 

The installation of additional light bar lighting at the front of the motorcycle is also becoming more and more popular, which does not significantly affect the lighting of the road, but only improves the visibility of the motorcyclist on the road. Very often, however, they are assembled in a way that the legislator did not envisage. It is safest to mount them as an additional fog light, for use on winding roads or with limited air transparency. Of course, the reflective elements alone will not protect us from danger. Nothing can replace the principles of careful driving, maintaining a safe distance and speed.

Winter – the police are calling for road safety

Winter is a dangerous time for all road users. Change in aura forces the change of driving technique – unfortunately, many drivers forget about it. Police officers APPLY for prudence and common sense. Incorrect speed to the conditions on the road may be the cause of the tragedy. The weather prevailing in our country makes the conditions on the road very volatile, treacherous and dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians. That is why traffic cops appeal to everyone about the road safety – drivers, cyclists and pedestrians – to be particularly careful and careful.

 

Roadways can already be frozen, and therefore slippery, and in such situations, the wheels easily lose their grip. Remember that precipitation or slush lengthen the braking distance of the vehicle, in extreme cases the driver may slip and not control the car. Overtaking, passing, cornering in such conditions can be very dangerous. Drivers should remember to move on the road with lights on and observe speed limits, and when weather conditions are worse – release under the rule that slower means safer. We appeal not to charge, think or anticipate threats.

 

You should pay particular 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 be able to slow down. A special appeal is also directed to pedestrians wear a reflective vest so that they do not 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, key chain, headband or even a flashlight will make moving around a poorly lit road better visible to the oncoming driver. 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. A fine threatens the lack of a reflective element. Although traffic regulations do not impose an obligation to use vests and reflective elements in the built-up area, they, largely, improve visibility. They give drivers valuable time to take the right response – often saving lives and health.

 

It is also important to remember about proper and compliant use of fog lights and daytime running lights (Article 51 of the Law on Road Traffic). An additional difficulty during this period, not only for drivers, is often a worse mood. Bad mood can affect the speed of reaction and concentration, which is also worth remembering when moving on the road.

 

Mandatory bike lighting – what do you need to remember

The spring-summer period is the perfect time to pull a bicycle out of the garage and take care of the condition and health, as well as to diversify sunny afternoons and evenings. It is also a great way to improve your well-being and spend some time in nature – preferably with friends or family. However, we must not forget that cycling is also a necessity to adapt to certain safety requirements. What is going on? We checked it.

 

When choosing a bike trip, we should remember to take care of your safety. That is why it is so important to check whether our bike meets all the most important requirements. One of them is lighting for the bicycle.

 

Why is the right bicycle lighting important?

Compulsory bicycle lighting is important not only due to legal requirements, but above all for the sake of safety. A cyclist who, for example, travels around a vacant space after dark and does not have any lighting, is almost invisible to the driver. Thus, it threatens not only yourself, but also other road users. If at some point, for example, he decides to turn, it can lead to an accident.

 

Bicycle lighting – recipes

According to the regulations in force, every cyclist is required to have at least two lights installed: white or yellow on the front and red on the back. It is very important not to swap their places! Such a distinction is intended to help car drivers to know which side the cyclist is facing – whether he is driving towards them or in the opposite direction. The lights may be flashing or not – it is a matter of debate, which of them is better visible to drivers. In addition, a red reflector should be placed at the back of the bike. The front can also be mounted, but it must be in white. Such light should be visible from a distance of about 150 m.

 

The bike can also be equipped with reflectors – on wheels (specifically on side planes) and pedals. And what about the cyclist? The law does not require the biker to wear flares, but we strongly encourage you to do so – says Anita Nicias from the Reflective Platform Company. – A cyclist who puts on wearing a reflective vest or even a reflective harness is incomparably better visible on the road from the one who only uses light, and this allows him to ride safely.

 

There are many options for choosing reflections – people who do not like large, loose vests, can choose a more suitable model or choose a reflective harness. Among the gadgets, we also find scarves and reflective hats – great for both adults and children.

If we are planning to spend the summer months on the road, make sure that our lighting and our bicycle are impeccable – this way we will not only save on a possible mandate, but also protect our own health and life.

 

The world of fashion promote vests and safety

Fashion designers are convincing that it saves lives, and our reporter checks it in practice. The reflective vest is the heroine of the clip made by road builders. The action “A2 that it is safe to bet on reflections!” is to convince young people that although the vests are not too stylish, it is worth to wear them, because they improve safety. The TVN24 reporter checked how much night wear this piece of clothing. A pedestrian with a reflection is visible from almost 100 meters, while a man in a black jacket appears in front of the mask unexpectedly, several meters in front of the vehicle. In this situation, there is no time to react.

 

How important is visibility on the road, also convinces Josef, head of the Road Traffic Department of the Municipal Police in Poznan. – Appropriate visibility is above all a guarantee of safety. Then when we are visible with reflective clothing, the driver can react and avoid an accident. Safe distance is a standard range of traffic lights, or 150 m. This distance is enough to control the vehicle, but only if we are visible.

 

The vest has the same cut for years, but it is still attractive because it has saved people’s lives for years. This is what we intend to promote – says spokesperson Sofia. Fashion people – designer Rowena, the founder of the Risk brand, will help in this. The result of cooperation is a short film with vests in the main role. – We want to persuade most people to have such vests – says Opals in the clip. For the promotion of high visibility vests, the well-known fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld was once invited. “It’s yellow, it’s ugly, and it does not suit anything, but it saves lives,” he argued in the campaign. So you can say that road builders … follow fashion.

 

 

Insert the reflective vest into the storage compartment

Reflective vest – in Poland, passenger car drivers do not have to have it, but they should. It costs only PLN 7-10 and can save a life. In most European countries, reflective vests are mandatory equipment for cars and trucks (in some also motorcycles).

 

From 1 July, the obligation to have a vest was introduced in Germany. Its lack means a mandate of 15 Euros. The obligation applies only to drivers of cars registered in Germany, but for the sake of their own safety, it is also worth respecting them with us. In countries where vests are compulsory, they must be worn whenever the driver and passengers have to leave the vehicle, for example as a result of a breakdown or accident, on a highway or other road – except of course parking lots.

 

Reflective vests are already valid in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic (applies to foreigners), Croatia, Finland (you can have reflective stripes), France, Spain, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and in Italy. The regulations are not uniform – in one country, you only need one vest in the car and in others, and all passengers must have it. In some countries, this obligation also applies to motorcyclists and cyclists, if they are traveling on roads after dusk.

 

We advise you not to look for loopholes and apply the maximum variant – take as many retro-reflective vests as possible for the number of passengers traveling. The vest costs from 7 to 10 zlotys. You can buy it at every gas station, in supermarkets, on the internet. Let us just remember to meet the norm – reflective vests are allowed in 3 colors: yellow, orange or red-orange. It must also have 2 reflective stripes at the front and back.

 

When buying vests, do not forget about children, in the event of a car breakdown or an accident, they will be particularly vulnerable. Reflective vests must be carried in the cabin of the car, and not – as most drivers do – in the trunk. The idea is to be able to put on a high visibility vest before leaving the car. We would also like to remind you: in the event of a breakdown or accident, a warning triangle should be put in front of the car; passengers should get out of the car not on the road, only on the right side, on the roadside. It is not allowed to stay on the road without having to go down to the side or the barrier as soon as possible.

 

Police in safety vest said the driver would not lose his penalties

In June 2018, regulations will become effective, thanks to which, after obtaining 24 penalty points, the police in reflective vest will not take their driving license right away.

 

In the case of committing a traffic offense, the police officer not only lists the ticket, but also imposes an appropriate number of penalty points. The driving license will lose drivers who exceed the 24-point limit, and its recovery is possible only after re-checking qualifications in all categories. If the driver has a driving license for less than a year, the point limit is 20.

 

Currently, people who have penalties on their account can take training at their own cost to reduce their number. This does not apply only to drivers within one year from the date of issuing a driving license for the first time. In this way, you can reduce the account by six points, and such training can take place no more than once every six months. The training organized by the Road Traffic Center is PLN 300.

 

From June 4, 2018, when changes are due to take effect, after exceeding 24 penalty points, the driver will not automatically lose his rights. He will be directed to a special training, but if he does not take part in it within one month of the delivery of the administrative decision, then he will say goodbye to the driving license.

 

The training is to last, a total of 28 hours, and the driver must reserve four days for it. The cost is PLN 500, and after its completion, the account with penalty points will be zeroed. Participants will be acquainted with the theory and will be subjected to psychological research. You need to know that you cannot pass more than 6 weeks from referral to the course to recover the document. After completing the course, you will not be able to take part in it for the next five years. If the driver again exceeds the 24-point limit, he will lose his license. He will have to go to the course and pass the exam.

 

After the changes, the police officer in safety clothing will be able to punish the driver with a maximum of 10 penalty points, regardless of the number of offenses committed.

 

He died on the first day of the year, hit by a car

Deadly accident happened on the first day of the year, in Timisoara. A man walking on a bicycle without reflective vest lost his life after being hit by a car in the early hours of the morning.

 

It all happened on Monday morning around 6 o’clock. The 50-year-old man was riding a bike on Calera in Timisoara. However, as he did not wear the reflective safety vest, a driver did not notice him in time and hit him in full.

 

“A 37-year-old man was driving a car on Lego Road, from Remote to Timisoara, and at one point he had a 50-year-old biker. Following the accident, the 50-year-old man died, “said Acute Murrain, spokesperson for IPJ Times.

 

The doctors immediately came to the scene of the accident, but they could not do anything to save his life. Now the cops in reflective uniforms have opened a criminal case for guilty murder and are going to find out exactly how the tragedy happened.

 

 

Awarded for antismog bikes with safety vest

At the end of the project, with the contribution of the Region and the support of the Municipality, 175 students of 12 classes of the Comprehensive Institute Puccini were awarded with safety vest in the afternoon of today. At the end of the school year, they took part in the project aimed at promoting the use of alternative means to the car to go to school, in particular the bike, or the possibility of going there on foot.

 

The project involved 7 schools in the city, equal to 60 classes for 1,500 students. All the people who participated were given a high visibility jacket to wear in the evening and at night when riding a bike. Two super prizes went to each class for the boy and girl who used the bike or walked to school for the number of days since the start of the project. In addition to each class was given the volume “Bicycles” published by Mop, an interesting photographic journey that immortalizes the use of the bike in Parma over time.

 

At each school that participated, then, two racks were given away. Paola from Parma took part in the award ceremony, as was Mobility Councilor Gabriele. “The goal – said Paola – is to have a city with fewer cars and more bikes, which means greater respect for the environment and us. The project has a transversal formative value and also involves issues related to road education, environmental education and the growth of students’ autonomy.”

 

“Thanks to your contribution – concluded the environment councilor Gabriele – it was possible to improve the air quality. The use of alternative means to private cars is an important tool for combating air pollution. I therefore thank the participants, the teachers, the school and Fib for promoting this worthy project to keep the road safety and children’s safety”.