Category: reflective tape

To be seen and to survive!

During the preventive event “Be seen, you will survive!” the city police focused mainly on pedestrians.

With the advent of autumn, days are shorter and people are more likely to be in road traffic under reduced visibility. The poor visibility is often the cause of tragic accidents.

In the Karlovy Vary region in recent years, the number of pedestrians killed has fallen slightly. In 2015, 34 lost their lives, in 2016 they were 33 and in 2017 there were 24. Police officers in Karlovy Vary are also trying to make pedestrian accidents a downward trend. They were alerting pedestrians to the risk and giving them reflective tapes and other reflective materials in the form of reflective pendants, shoelaces or stickers. Only one day was almost 300 pedestrians approached and awarded in Karlovy Vary.

The poor visibility is often the cause of tragic traffic accidents. In 2017 1140 road pedestrians in the Czech Republic caused 1140 pedestrians, of which there were 101 pedestrians killed in a total of 502 fatalities last year.

Lighting for cyclists and e-scooters vital

Road traffic regulations also apply to electric scooters. A violation can be expensive.

The dark season means poor visibility and increased risk of accidents for all road users. In November and December 2017, around 32 percent of traffic accidents involving personal injury occurred during the dark hours, the highest level during the year.

Cyclists, in particular, are required: damp foliage and wet, smooth tram rails increase the risk of falling, fog and twilight obscure the view. “Cyclists should definitely pay attention to function lighting and good visibility,” says ÖAMTC lawyer Guthrie.

In the same way, he sees the handlebars of e-scooters. The same rules apply to the battery-powered scooters as to cyclists, because if they do not exceed a maximum output of 600 watts and a maximum speed of 25km / h, they are considered e-bikes.

Check lighting regularly – “lack of light” costs up to 726 euros

According to the regulation, bicycles must have a white reflector at the front and a red reflector at the back. The reflectors must be mounted individually or integrated into the headlamp. On the pedals, front and rear reflectors are a must.

“Also prescribed are yellow or white cat eyes or reflector sticks on the wheels,” says the ÖAMTC lawyer. “Alternatively, tires with reflective borders are possible.” For electric scooters, the lighting regulations also apply according to their design. The expert recommends: “The condition and optimal function of the lighting should be checked regularly.”

“In principle, drivers of bicycles and e-bikes, including e-scooters, are not obliged to use headlights or red taillights in daylight and good visibility – but in the case of obstruction and darkness,” says lawyer Guthrie.

“Anyone who does not abide by the rules of risks not only the safety of themselves and others but for poorly equipped and unlit bicycles can be up to a penalty of 726 € imposed.” If you cause an accident with the personal injury because of bad or missing lighting, you also have to reckon with claims for damages and a judicial criminal procedure.

Helmet and reflectors must-haves for handlebars

Rules for the equipment of the driver itself does not exist. “Although a helmet is not mandatory for adults in Austria, it protects against serious head injuries in the event of an accident and should be part of the basic equipment – even more so in the dark season,” advises the ÖAMTC expert.

If a cyclist “falls under race conditions” without a helmet to fall and suffers skull injuries, he can even make a contributory negligence.

To be even more visible, it is essential to attach reflective materials to clothing or wear a safety vest. “Every supplemental aid, be it through headlamps or LED lights, makes sense, but it’s important to remember that this does not dazzle oncoming traffic,” says the expert.

Reflective tapes for clothing and safety vests, for example, can be found at all Mobility Club bases – there are many other “little helpers” for more visibility, such as armband and leg bandages and reflective pendants.

Residents got flares

A preventive action has begun. As part of the action, reflective materials were given out on the streets of the whole commune.

Here we see was conducted last Thursday, October 25. On the streets of the municipality, reflective bands were handed out, while the officers and employees of the Municipal Office reminded us of the obligation to wear reflective vests outside the undeveloped area and the benefits of wearing flares.

Recall that after dark, a person dressed in the dark and without glare is visible from a distance of 20-30 meters. If it has a reflective element or reflective tape on clothing, the driver has the chance to see it from a distance of up to 150 meters. It has a better chance of reacting, inhibiting or bypassing the pedestrian.

Here we see was very popular with the residents and the Municipal Office announced that the action would be carried out again.

The order of revolt

“Yellow vests” “EN ISO 20471” are the name of the safety vest worldwide. In France, she now inherits the revolutionary symbolism.

It was supposed to unite France’s revolutionaries. The Cap of Jacob was once a great idea, it was the hallmark of the Robespierre followers, the sans-culottes, the fighting workers and the petty bourgeoisie. The Jacobean cap stood for freedom, brotherhood, but above all for the equality of the revolutionaries. At the same time, the so-called Phrygian cap was a great symbolic misunderstanding: the barricade fighters put the headgear on their angry head in the historical mistaken belief that it was already carried by freed slaves in antiquity. This is not true, because they had the felt cut on the vertex. The “Phrygian cap” was actually a tanned bull scrotum that was supposed to give the antique bear the power of a bull.

Revolutionary mood reigns in France these days. The fashion, however, has changed. At present, the “yellow vests” are fighting on the Champs-Élysées and throughout the Republic against the increase in petrol taxes and the state, as Emmanuel Macron imagines. Cheap vests as a symbol of rebellion against the tightened suit policy of Macron’s “En Marche” movement. Not a blue-white-red democracy movement, but a neon-glowing exclamation point that should unite communists and nationalists with the French rogue.

After all, the brief history of the warning vest tells pretty much the opposite of disobedience, revolution, and insurrection. It was invented to protect, not to cause chaos. It was intended to secure airport staff, truck drivers, hunters, and construction workers with increased visibility. In addition, folders of all kinds are equipped with the “yellow vest” to organize the public mess with a hard hand. At some point, the safety vest was then the accessory of dutiful helicopter parents: no kindergarten trip without apple slices and big yellow jackets. The strange species of radical cyclists wear safety vests so naturally over the Jack jacket as the plastic-helmet-protected bicycle helmet on their head and the neon yellow trouser-straps around the shins. There’s nothing more spiteful than safety vests – at most garden gnomes (who – why actually? – get along largely without yellow vests).

It was the English who eventually developed safety vests for chickens (in models neon yellow, pink and blue) and successfully exported them. The EU understood less fun. It has bureaucratically buttoned and unified the “yellow vest”: as part of the harmonization of Member States’ legislation on personal protective equipment, a standard for safety vests has been introduced, which is entitled EN ISO 20471. Since then, it has been necessary to carry “warning reflective clothing” in cars, which comply with implementation instructions of DGUV regulation 70, which refers to DIN EN 471 and certain requirements of the latter. ” Ironically, this globally standardized garment should now stand for a new French Revolution? Burning cars instead of protection for drivers? Disarray and uprising instead of clothes for folders? Coup d’état in mantle an EU standard? The state-obligatory clothes for the fight for freedom? Is this the second time in the history of France that this is a fashionable error of the revolutionaries? Are the “yellow vest” the Phrygian scrotums of our time? And is it in France really a neon revolution according to DIN standard?

It’s not that easy. Probably no other garment is present in as many households as the safety vest. It belongs in every car like the toilet paper on a toilet. The safety vest is the accessory that unites a people in truth. An affront to Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Paul Gautier and Karl Lagerfeld, the latter would probably claim that anyone wearing a warning vest, has long lost control of his life. The safety vest with reflective tape is as practical-rational as the guillotine and the cheapest and most socially acceptable uniform (the four-pack is available from 10.99 Euros). It symbolizes the history of the working class and at the same time embodies the people subjugated in the name of security. And most importantly: The common safety vest screams continuously, day and night, in neon-shrill clarity: “Look at me! Do not forget me!”

Incidentally, in her old paintings, the revolutionary icon of France, the Marianne, proudly wears a Jacobean cap as she storms over burning barricades. The German Michel, on the other hand, was quickly given a similar, but completely differently connoted head covering by the French: with a sleepyhead. As a symbol of having lost the revolution. While the Jacobean cap has brought it into the democratic fashion of the United States, the sleepyhead still adorns mainly the garden gnomes in German front gardens.

Ultimately, little has changed in Europe since the first French Revolution. While the Parisians with the warning vest storm the streets, the Germans drive model EN ISO 20471 dutifully in the trunk around. And if they bring it out, then to be visible in the winter darkness.

“Yellow vests” also in Belgium

Twelve wounded policemen, 74 arrested, a few burned cars – this is the balance of yesterday’s protests in Brussels against fuel price increases. The Belgian Minister of the Interior has announced that today the police will also be mobilized.

The protest of the so-called yellow safety vests has moved from France to Belgium. The head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Jan Jambon, in connection with the protests promised in France today, the police forces in the Belgian capital remain ready. The detention of aggressive people after yesterday’s protests will also be continued today.

“People who have been detained today will hear accusations. You can protest, but attacks on policemen are unacceptable. And those who have committed acts of aggression and have not been arrested yet cannot feel peaceful. We have recordings from cameras and testimonies.” said the VRT head of the Belgian Ministry of the Interior.

Yesterday’s demonstration went quietly to a certain point, but later the demonstrators began blocking tunnels in the city, overturning police cars and setting them on fire. Protesters threw stones at the Prime Minister’s seat and demanded his resignation.

Protests in Belgium moved to this country from France. On December 1, another wave of protests will be rolled over France on Saturday. It will be the third consecutive Saturday when demonstrations against fuel price increases will take place in the country.

Five thousand policemen were mobilized in Paris. Champs Elysees closed for vehicular traffic. Passers-by everywhere – bags and backpacks are checked. All this is to guard against a repeat of the riots of last week when shops and restaurants were demolished, cars were burned. The losses were estimated at one million Euros.

“Yellow vests” – because of the wearing of this type of reflective clothing with reflective tapes to ensure road safety is called protesters’ movement, they do not intend to put up a gun, they will demonstrate against fuel rises, more than six cents per liter will be fueled by diesel oil, according to President Emmanuel Macron be an element of the fight for environmental protection.

The attempt to talk with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe with “yellow vests” was considered a failure. Of the eight guests invited there were two, but the head of the government decided that the conversation was interesting, direct, respectful, useful and added that the door to his office at the Matignon Palace they are always open to “yellow vests.” Traders complain about losses, but as many as 85 percents of the population support the protesters.

Fatal accident

Police officers under the supervision of the District Prosecutor’s Office, explain the circumstances of the accident that occurred last night. A 65-year-old man was mortally knocked down on an unlit stretch of road.

The tragic event took place on Wednesday, November 28, around 20:30 on the national road No. 42.

As it results from preliminary findings, on a straight stretch of road in an unlit place, a 19-year-old resident of the County, driving a VW passenger car, hit a 65-year-old man, a resident of the commune, on the road.

As a result of injuries, the pedestrian was killed on the spot. The driver was sober. The body of a 65-year-old and the vehicle were secured at the disposal of the prosecutor’s office. The policemen carried out a detailed inspection, securing forensic traces.

Traffic policemen appeal to everyone, both drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians, for particular caution and prudence. Drivers should remember to navigate the road with the light on and observe the speed limits, and when weather conditions are worse, to slow down according to the principle that slower means safer. We appeal not to charge, think or anticipate threats. It is worth to check the technical condition of the vehicle, which will answer the question of whether our vehicle is efficient and safe. 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 material is threatened by a fine. Although traffic regulations do not impose an obligation to use vests with reflective tapes and reflective elements in the built-up area, they, to a large extent, improve visibility. They give drivers valuable time to take the right response – often saving their health.

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.

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.