Body Language: reflective clothing keeps you more safety in the dark

Until recently, protective clothing certified according to EN 471: 2001 + A1: 2007 apply. This has now been superseded by the ISO 20,471th a comparison of the two standards makes the changes clear.

In scope of the additional “high risk situations” was recorded – which is particularly relevant for the emergency services. Advanced were primarily the requirements for the design of the clothing. To apply for reflective materials on sleeves new design requirements, while reflective stripes on the collar of the overalls were no longer counted for the detection of the total areas of reflective material. Florescent background material must enclose in a minimum width of 50 mm torso, sleeves or pant legs; there are allowed on sleeves and legs more than two reflective strips.

The demands on the fluorescent material have also increased. So a minimum tensile strength of 100N is required regardless of the weight. The tear strength should be at 20N (formerly 25N). This figure has emerged from another method, meaning no limit reduced.

Furthermore, the burst strength must be adapted to existing textile standards. The requirements of perspiration were increased. What has not changed is this factor: In single or multilayer clothing constructions of water vapor resistance must not exceed 5 be m²Pa / W. but was specified: If the latter is higher, the water vapor resistance must be determined and must not be greater than 0.15.

For greater design freedom of passage ensures: coverings with different fluorescent background colors can be certified.

Important changes also affect the maintenance requirements of the protective clothing. Thus the manufacturer should always dictate the care instructions, and the fluorescent materials must be checked after the wash to the color values.

Reflective for best visibility

The legislature has thus the requirements for protective clothing increases with reflective materials, which means extra safety for the wearer. Yet 471 certified protective clothing does not apply to EN by the new ISO of a sudden as potentially unsafe. All certificates before July 2010 continue unlimited validity. Certificates after July 2010 shall be valid for five years. The manufacturer of protective clothing in the long term, however, switches to the new ISO to guarantee the institutions the best possible visibility.

Especially in the dark retro-reflective materials are essential for the safety of the emergency services staff. While around 90 percent of the traffic-related information on the day are recorded and registered by the human eye, the visual acuity of the human eye drops at night to about five percent of the daily value. Retro reflective materials enhance the conspicuousness in the dusk and dark.

The principle of retro-reflection functions as follows: The incident light beam is redirected by mirror-coated glass spheres and reflected back toward the light source. The reflective strips from 3M, for example, are equipped with 30,000 glass beads per square centimeter. These beads directing the incident light to the reflector and then back to the “sender” of light.

Body Language concept ensures safety in the dark

However, technology alone is not enough as protection. Also important is the optimal placement of the reflective tape. Studies show that drivers react in a human different from a sign. While they take in a sign the clash sometimes in buying, try a person definitely avoids. Functioning warning clothing should therefore always trace the silhouette of people.

The reflective strips should be placed on the clothing that a 360-degree visibility of the person is given and this is also clearly visible in its typical posture. 3M calls this design concept “Body Language”. The reflective stripes are both sewn and glued.

Reflective tapes can support only protect if they are also cleaned properly. The consideration of the maintenance and cleaning cycles is essential, as they affect the life of reflective material crucial.

Wear safety vest will be safer

Motorcycle riders are the most clueless with the new traffic law.

Yesterday was quite normal driving without retro reflective clothing and no lights on their vehicles to see.

Both are requirements circulation any time of day and disrespect carries a fine of ¢ 47,000 for each violation.

Diego Herrera, director of the Traffic Police, confirmed that the non-use of reflective vest or any other suit was one of the repeated violations s yesterday.

 

Furthermore, it is common to see that drivers take advantage of the dams to advance in the middle of the road.

Under the new traffic rule, who forth between lines of vehicles more than 25 kilometers per hour is exposed to a fine of ¢ 94,000.

The new provisions do not like at all drivers who complain of being forced to use safety devices at all times.

However, Silvia, director of the Road Safety Council, explained that the use of this device throughout the day approved the recommendation of the Motorcycle Importers Association.

 

“As there are sunny days, there is very dark or rainy days, when clarity is drastically reduced and it is necessary to make them visible,” said Bolanos.

It is planned that next Tuesday discusses the regulations with the specifications of the retro safety vest; then it would take public consultation (through publication in La Gaceta) and is expected to govern two weeks later.

 

Another complaint is that motorcyclists are forced to turn on the lights at any time and that represents an additional expense of battery. But Bolanos said the battery of the bike “generates one, and there is no justification for saying that consumption increases.”

Roadway – the driving, sidewalk – to walk, cycle track

A simple statement, but it is difficult to remember. We remind you the most important information about the movement of cyclists, but with whom we should be familiar with EVERY road, and wearing your safety vest at dark condition.

Only a biker can ride the road bike. Pedestrian, car or moped or motorcycle cannot get around, if there is no road bicycle – cyclist riding a bicycle lane or roadway, sidewalk only in exceptional cases.

BUS lane – is only for buses and trolley buses and other vehicles engaged in the carriage of persons payable on regular lines

Passage for cyclists – the surface of the road or track designed for passing cyclists, where cyclists have priority – it does not mean that you can charge them. At crossings in force, as everywhere on public roads, the principle of trust and caution. Allow you to see the driver of the car, and thus give him a chance to disappearance of priority.

Pedestrian crossing – does not drive for kowtow- wanting to get to the other side of the road at a pedestrian crossing must dismount and carry him on the lanes.

Mandatory equipment bicycle

The lights cycle must be attached at a height no higher than 150 cm and not less than 25 cm from the road surface.

According to the current legislation in Poland, a helmet and reflective vest is not compulsory equipment. However, the helmet protects the head from injury in the event of an accident, and improves visibility vest, which significantly improves the safety of cyclists.

Directed by bike is obliged to use the road for a bike lane or bike if they are designated for the direction in which it moves or intends to turn. Control your bike using the roads for bicycles and pedestrians, it is obliged to take special care and give way to pedestrians.

A child under the age of 7 years can be transported on a bicycle, provided that it is placed on the additional saddle for safe driving – carry another person on a bicycle, cart, bicycle or bike dormitory can a person who has completed 17 years.

The driver bicycle or moped is prohibited:

Driving on the road next to another traffic participant (allowed exceptionally ride on the road to the rider next to another bicycle or moped, if this does not hinder movement of other traffic or otherwise endanger road safety)

Driving without keeping at least one hand on the steering wheel and feet on the pedals or footrests,

Use when driving with the phone requires holding the earpiece or microphone in hand, driving under the influence in the state after use of alcohol or agent acting similarly to alcohol.

Using the pavement or pedestrian by the rider is allowed in exceptional cases, when:

He takes care of a person under the age of 10 years guiding the bike;

The width of the sidewalk along the road, on which traffic is allowed at speeds greater than 50 km / h, is at least 2 m and a lack of dedicated cycle paths and lanes for bicycles;

Weather conditions threaten the safety of the cyclist on the road (snow, strong wind, heavy rain, black ice, fog).

Control your bike using the sidewalk or pedestrian path, it is obliged to go slowly, careful and give way to pedestrians.

Directed by bicycle without reflective tape can drive the left side of the road on the principles laid down for pedestrians, if the care of the person in charge of the bike under the age of 10.

Directed by bicycle can overtake other than the bike slowly going out of their vehicles right side of caution.

A person who has completed 10 years (to age 18) can move along a public road only under the condition of having a bicycle card or driving license.