Category: reflective vest

The Seimas will decide whether to allow cyclists to take off their reflective vests

Lithuanian cycling enthusiasts have been striving for change for some time now – they would like to ride through pedestrian crossings without getting off the bike and change the order when it is necessary to wear reflective vests or ride with the lights on. It is on the latter issue that the Seimas will decide in the autumn.

 

In early July, the government assessed the desire of cyclists to allow them to ride through pedestrian crossings without getting off their bikes. According to LRT.lt, then the Government decided to keep the current procedure – cyclists are not allowed to ride through pedestrian crossings without getting off the bicycles unless it is a regulated crossing or road markings indicate that the road is crossed by a bicycle path.

 

However, the proposal on the use of brightly colored vests and lanterns has been submitted to the Seimas for consideration.

 

Under current regulations, cyclists must wear brightly colored vests or ride with their lights on at all times, regardless of the time of day or where they ride – in the city or on the highway, on a bike path or the roadside.

 

The draft submitted to the Seimas envisages changing this procedure. It is proposed that wearing a brightly colored vest and driving with the lights on should only be mandatory during the dark hours of the day when cycling in the city or on the street, as well as on the highway and that the vests or headlights should only be worn during the day.

 

Will decide in the fall

A special working group headed by MP Tom Tomlin was convened in the Seimas to resolve the issue of cyclists and prepare a draft law.

 

He assures that the draft law seeks to find a compromise that would satisfy both cyclists and other road users, although some categorically opposed the changes.

 

“The Ministry of Transport was quite categorically against it, although at first, it seemed to be prone to consideration. I understand the arguments that any solution that affects road safety is debatable, but I think that a certain level of human comfort is also very important for cycling culture. They feel that there is too much flying in their lifestyle and clothing,” says T. Tomilinas.

 

Vidmantas Pumputis, the head of the Traffic Safety Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, who was interviewed on the LRT RADIO program “Morning Sounds”, has noticed that the currently valid requirements did not come about by accident.

 

“A few years ago, the visibility of cyclists was a very big problem, especially in cities, where many tragic events took place.

Until the city has developed infrastructure suitable for cyclists, there are no consistently designed bicycle paths (for example, in Vilnius from Justiniškės, Fabijoniškės or Šeškinė it is practically impossible to drive to the central part of the city without getting on the road), it is necessary to do everything to make the cyclist visible,” said V. Pump.

 

He added that cyclists are given two alternatives. This is to wear a brightly colored vest or another bright garment with reflective elements or to mount headlights on the front and back of the bike. It is these tools that help to better notice the cyclist.

 

The head of the Seimas working group emphasizes that in resolving this issue, efforts were made to take into account the wishes of cyclists as one of the groups of road users, as certain changes may encourage people to ride bicycles more often than cars.

 

“I think the problem is that we are too car-oriented. In our country, the vast majority of the population is driving. Attempts are being made to protect their comfort and safety, but cyclists are also a traffic group that cares about their safety. They just don’t want to be overworked with that worry,” says T. Tomilinas.

 

True, speaking about the amendment to the law prepared by a working group convened in the Seimas, T. Tomilinas states that it is still too early to decide whether the amendments will be adopted or not. This decision will finally be clear in autumn.

 

“As with all laws, in this case, submission, deliberation, and adoption are awaited. Members of the Seimas will register this proposal and it will be discussed in the autumn. It usually takes 2-3 months.

 

If the law is approved, I think it would be logical if it came into force on the first of January next year, “T. Tomilinas explains.

The Seimas will propose to allow cyclists to ride through the crossings

The Seimas has drafted a project that will allow cyclists to ride through pedestrian crossings by obliging the cyclist to stop, pass cars and ride through the crossing at pedestrian speeds without endangering pedestrians. During the preparation of the project, an analysis of accident statistics was performed, and good foreign practice was evaluated. According to surveys, almost no one is complying with the current requirement to get off the bike in front of the pedestrian crossing. The new regime is expected to even increase road safety by obliging cyclists to stop and pass cars and pedestrians and to oblige cyclists to drive 3-7 km / h at level crossings for accident prevention. The draft law will be submitted by a group of 14 members of the Seimas. This is with a different composition (wider group) than the working group formed by the Seimas. Main provider Member of the Seimas Dainius Kipnis. Also read: An experienced cyclist has evaluated his city: where is the best place to ride One problem is hindering the use of electric scooters in cities Rinktinės Street – important changes: a new pedestrian and bicycle path will be developed. The project is also based on foreign practice.

 

On 27 November 2018, the Research Division of the Information and Communication Department of the Seimas conducted an analytical review “Regulation of Bicycle Traffic and Safety Requirements in the Member States of the European Union”. Signatories of the Vienna Convention have studied: Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Estonia, Latvia. It has been established that the legislation allows cycling through pedestrian crossings in the signatory countries of the Vienna Convention: Germany, Latvia, the United Kingdom, and Estonia. In Germany, for example, road traffic rules do not directly prohibit cyclists from crossing a pedestrian crossing. However, when crossing the carriageway, pedestrians take precedence over motorists, only pedestrians, and cyclists, if they ride, have no preference, and only gain it by getting off and cycling, then they are treated as pedestrians.

 

In the UK, cycling through pedestrian crossings – Zebras – is for guidance only. In Estonia, cyclists must not endanger pedestrians and choose a safe speed when crossing a pedestrian crossing. In Latvia, cyclists are also allowed to cross the carriageway through pedestrian crossings without impeding pedestrians and reducing speed. Also, Lithuania is a party to the Vienna Convention, so the national legislation adopted by Lithuania cannot contradict it. However, the Vienna Convention does not define cycling at pedestrian crossings at all, leaving it to each signatory to decide what regulation it wants. A petition was submitted to the Seimas, which was approved. It consisted of two parts: the first part proposed the abolition of mandatory reflective vests/lights for cyclists during the day, and the second part proposed changes to the rules for driving through pedestrian crossings. To prepare the project, a survey of 18 institutions (municipalities, police commissariats, courts, prosecutors’ offices) was conducted on cyclists involved in accidents when crossing pedestrian crossings. Her findings: although 90% of cyclists cross the level, according to the petition’s surveys, the accident rate is very low or non-existent. Accident data were obtained from 18 institutions: 16 of those institutions did not find any accidents for the cyclist to cross the crossings; a small accident was recorded in two institutions. For this reason, and due to the disproportionate need for human resources, several authorities have refused to obtain data on road accidents caused by these persons. The Seimas submitted a draft on vests and voted in favor of the submission.

 

The proposed changes to the rules read as follows: The driver of a bicycle, a motorbike can cross the carriageway on both an adjustable and an unregulated pedestrian crossing when riding a bicycle, motorbike. When approaching an unregulated pedestrian crossing, the driver of a motorcycle must: 1) stop, 2) skip vehicles driving on the carriageway, 3) start driving only when he is convinced that his actions will not force other road users to change direction and speed, 4) start pedestrians pass only convinced that it is safe. When the bicycle is approached by an adjustable pedestrian crossing, the traffic order is set by the traffic bike driver or the regulator. When driving through both an unregulated and an adjustable pedestrian crossing, the cyclist or motorbike driver must ride at a speed close to the speed of the pedestrian (3-7 km / h), give way to pedestrians, not obstruct or endanger them, leaving such a gap from the side to keep traffic safe.

 

The habit of saving lives, how about reflectors?

It is extremely important to stay safe on both roads and streets as it gets darker and brighter every day. A recent photo released by the Lithuanian police perfectly illustrated that even during daylight hours, a pedestrian without a reflector or other light-reflecting device can be difficult for drivers to notice. We encourage all road users to be visible, wear reflectors and share some tips.

 

How to choose the right reflector and light-reflecting vest?

The reflector must be made of a suitable light-reflecting fabric. There are a variety of alternatives on the market, such as bright ribbons, pendants or similar accessories, as well as low-quality reflectors that hardly reflect light, so make sure your chosen item is a reflector and reflects light properly: in the dark, aim the flashlight at the light and watch as it reflects light. The reflector must also not be less than 15 cm² and the inscriptions on it must not exceed 20%. the total area of the reflector. It is much safer and more reliable if the advertisement is under reflective film. Also, it is known that bright yellow reflectors are better visible in the presence of fog. Another quality indicator is the special code LST EN13356 on the reflector or label, which means compliance with LST EN 13356: 2002 “Accessories for non-workwear to improve visibility. Test Methods and Requirements”.

 

A reflective vest is an even more effective way to prevent possible accidents, especially during the dark hours of the day. Before purchasing a vest, make sure that it meets the applicable requirements: the vest must not only be bright (yellow, orange, etc.) but must also have at least two or more horizontal light-reflecting elements at the waist.

 

Where to mount a reflector?

Since the reflector itself does not illuminate but only reflects light, it should be mounted at the height of the vehicle headlamps, approximately at the level of the adult road. The strip reflector should be mounted on the sleeve of the garment, just above the wrist of the hand or on the right side of the calf. The road traffic regulations stipulate that the roadside must go in the direction of travel of the car, so the reflector attached to the handles of the backpack or handbag does not even reach the light of the car headlights. In this case, it is recommended to strap the reflector and allow it to swing at approximately the height of the human knees.

 

What do cyclists need to know?

The bicycle must be fitted with reflectors: there must be a red light reflector or lamp at the rear of the bicycle and orange light reflectors attached to the wheel spokes on both sides. When riding on the carriageway, the cyclist must wear a brightly colored vest with reflective elements or have a lit white light at the front of the bicycle and a red light at the rear. When driving on the road in the dark or poor visibility, both a brightly colored vest and lights at the front and rear of the bike are mandatory.

The police advise on traffic jams in the dark

The days are getting shorter and more and more people are moving outdoors and in traffic as the darkness sets. Then it is important to think about being visible.

 

“The most common mistake is overestimating your visibility and pretending to be visible,” says Camilla Samuelsson, intervention police in the Ängelholm local police area.

 

The reflex can be cheap insurance and Camilla Samuelsson believes in seeing more and more wearing reflective vests.

 

“I imagine that those who are used to being out and going at these times have different thinking. But on the whole, you are probably poor at taking on, perhaps especially in urban environments where it is illuminated and you think that the lighting helps one to be seen,” says Camilla.

 

Among the teenagers, Camilla is sometimes told that it is foolish to wear a reflective vest. Just as it is wasteful to use a bicycle helmet. To pop up the reflex by designing reflective jackets, for example, she thinks can be important for getting a certain target group to start using reflexes and realize risks.

 

“If you as a parent do not have reflex, the children do not have it either. It is also very important how we affect each other,” says Camilla.

 

Angelin Guy and Tuva Vidal at the handing over of reflective vests at Junibacken’s preschool.

 

At Junibacken’s preschool, educators believe that the influence can be made in other ways and that the children bring the behavior home to the parents. Länsförsäkringar works with sustainability and wants to help create a safe everyday life. That is why the office in Ängelholm has decided to distribute reflective vests to preschools.

 

“To target, the child was a choice we made, it should start on time. It is a good target group that can affect parents,” says Ingvar Johansson.

 

The preschool Junibacken has received reflexes, but more preschools have the opportunity to get vests. It is, first of all, says Ingvar Johansson.

 

“That’s really good. We are sometimes bad at using reflective vests but this is going to be a kick in the end,” says Lisa Karstorp, an educator at the Junibacken preschool.

 

Do you ever talk about the importance of reflexes?

“If we see that one of the children has reflections on the clothes, we point it out and talk about why it is important,” says Lisa Karstorp.

 

Police Camilla Samuelsson has no evidence that the number of accidents will increase in the fall. She believes that there are different risks for each season.

 

What to think about if you should go out and walk in the dark?

“Having reflex. If you do not want a large vest then you should set the reflections low for the motorist often have their eyes directed low. A hanging reflex can also be good, then it is something that moves and catches the attention. Don’t take for granted that the motorist sees you, even if you have reflexes, there are many unsafe drivers in traffic, so pay attention,” says Camilla.

 

If you go out on a bike, other regulations apply. As long as the bike is guided, the rules apply to pedestrians. But as soon as you jump up on the bike, it counts as a vehicle.

 

Then the traffic rules apply, such as stopping at red lights and showing the direction of travel. You should keep to the right and you must not cycle on the pavement.

 

Failure to meet the requirements for which lighting and reflectors a bike should be equipped with can be costly. If any of the lamps/reflectors are missing or they are out of order, it costs 500 SEK. Should it simply be that the lamp is not switched on it also costs 500 SEK? The police currently have no pronounced response to bicycle users. In the past, the Police have informed the public about the rules that apply and then go out and make an effort in reality.

 

Then we have been working out in the evening and actually fined. Our ambition is to release us once in the fall, then to what extent depends on the prevailing situation all around. Then checks are made more or less on occasions when we have radio cars driving outside and you discover these misbehaviors.

 

Can you drive in the dark? Test yourself. 10 questions and answers

Night driving is forgotten by Czech driving schools. The new textbook, which highlights important rules, has a change. Do you control them?

 

A quarter of traffic accidents happen in the dark, often with more fatal consequences than daytime accidents. Night accidents require about a third of the total number of victims each year.

 

Driving in the dark has its specifics, but instructors in driving schools have not paid much attention to them yet. Now Czech driving schools were the first in the world to get a new textbook, which is focused on driving in the dark. “It is based on years of experience of authors who are experts in the field of traffic accident analysis and their practice have met with the explanation of the causes of many accidents, many of which happened at night,” describes Robert Kledus from the Institute of Forensic Engineering, Brno University of Technology. has contributed significantly to the development of the new methodology.

 

The textbook is intended to prepare mainly beginners but reminds the rules of experienced drivers during training. “They will allow them to compare their practical experience with night driving principles,” adds Kledus.

 

Futility? See if you follow the rules for driving in the dark and make the right decisions at the wheel.

 

  1. What speed do you drive in the dark?

 

Theoretically, this is simple: the speed of the vehicle can only be so high that the distance needed to stop is always less than or equal to the distance that the driver can see. The driver should have a clear idea of how far a pedestrian by the road can be seen.

 

But that’s the theory. In real operation, the worst variant is to be expected. Add to this the road condition, the load on the car and the condition of the brakes. Also, a pedestrian may suddenly appear on the road, especially if it is needed during the night under the influence.

 

Also important is a sufficient distance from the car in front of you. At least according to the “twenty-one, twenty-two” rule, ie count down at least two seconds. However, at least another second should be added at night.

 

  1. Do you slow down enough after switching from high beams?

The recommendation is: If the driver is not sufficiently informed about the situation in front of the vehicle when switching from high beam to low beam, he must reduce the speed to at least 50 km / h even outside the village (not talking about highways). And this also applies only to good conditions, under worsened should go even slower.

 

Maybe it will surprise someone. But experts point to a slower eye reaction after switching to a low beam. Pedestrians in multicolored clothing respond to distances in the range of 50 to 70 m. The speed limit outside the village is 90 km / h, 25 m / s. If the car is traveling at this speed, the distance of 50 to 70 m will travel in 2 to 2.8 seconds. This is not enough to recognize a pedestrian, the driver’s decision on how to react and to adapt the ride, let alone stop.

 

  1. Are you using the high beam correctly?

Wherever the rules and conditions allow, the driver should use the main beam in the dark. He should only switch them when he is dazzled by a car in front of him, an oncoming car or another traffic participant. As soon as the situation allows, you need to switch back to the high beam.

 

As a matter of principle, they often compromise on driving by long-distance drivers so that they do not have to switch the lights frequently, but they endanger themselves and others.

 

An exception maybe when the car is illuminated sufficiently by the car in front, without unduly obstructing the driver’s view. This is true, for example, when driving behind another vehicle that uses high beams, and it is also possible to increase speed.

 

Even on expressways, high beams should be used whenever rules and circumstances allow. The problem arises at high traffic, allowing only low beam driving. Then, however, the maximum permitted speed of 130 km / h does not correspond to a sufficient view of unlit obstacles (see point 1).

 

By reducing the speed to 50 km / h, the driver would of course immediately impede the flow of traffic. Therefore, on highways, the use of dipped beams makes it possible to drive at normal operating speed, but all the more carefully to perceive how other vehicles illuminate the road and, of course, maintain sufficient distance.

 

  1. What lights do you illuminate in a lit village?

The driver must not use the main beam if the road is sufficiently and continuously illuminated. So, once the streetlamp lamps illuminate the road enough, you need to switch to the low beam.

 

But not everywhere, public lighting is a sufficient source. Lamps placed in the middle of the lanes often do not illuminate either side of the road. Lamps placed only on one side of the road rarely reach the far side.

 

At that moment, it is advisable to use the high beam, even in the village. On poorly artificially illuminated roads, you can easily overlook weak light sources such as bicycle lamps.

 

  1. Do you lower the lights according to the load?

Cars with manual headlight adjustment should always be set according to the current load. The basic position of the control (position 0) corresponds to the load of the driver, maximum driver, and passenger. Every additional cargo or crew member lifts the front of the car. The driver should react and lower the lights, especially to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic. And of course, put them back in the correct position as soon as they get rid of the load, otherwise, they shine lower and limit their view.

 

The advantage is, of course, the automatic headlamp leveling according to load, which some modern cars can do. And it can handle the size of the illuminated area according to speed, steering wheel or turn indicators.

 

  1. Do you clean the lights?

The driver must keep the vehicle’s headlamps, lamps and other vehicle elements in a clean and impeccable state that improve the visibility of the vehicle, especially when the lights are switched off. This may sound like a banality, few people clean the lights before every ride.

 

But it is not so irrelevant. It is mainly the principle of “seeing and being seen”. There is a big difference, as can be seen, a clean car and dirty. Maybe when he has to stop at the shoulder. You will realize this when you commute a grim slow-moving car in front of you in the dark.

 

  1. Is the crew on their mobile?

Error. There should be no significant light source in the car in the dark. Not even a lit mobile phone with navigation or tablet on which your child is watching a movie. All sources interfere with the adaptation of the driver’s eyesight to the dark. Also, illuminated displays can create reflections on the car’s windows. Eyes are less likely to recognize the low contrast obstacles on the road.

Also, if the driver starts driving immediately after leaving well-lit areas, he must take into account the time his vision will need to adapt perfectly.

 

  1. Can you cope with glare?

When passing oncoming vehicles, the driver should look toward the right edge of the road, the area with the greatest potential danger. Adjust the interior rear-view mirror settings when dazzling a vehicle in the rear. And when driving behind another vehicle is not good to directly watch its rear lamps.

 

Weak glare is not dangerous because the human eye can adapt to the darkness due to the rapid pupil reaction. However, severe glare can also cause temporary blindness, and the time required for back adaptation is very long.

 

  1. Are you lit properly in an emergency stop?

The ‘be seen’ principle also applies to emergency parking. The picture shows an example of an unmarked vehicle that has remained standing in the middle of the lanes after a previous car accident.

 

As the recent mass accident on the D1 has shown, the emergency crew should leave the car and wait for help off the road. At that moment, enough reflective vests are also needed. Impacts on an unlit vehicle and collisions with the crew when leaving the vehicle often have fatal consequences. And it is often enough that a driver left a poorly lit car on the verge for a few minutes when he wanted to go to the bathroom or the child was ill.

 

An emergency stop car must have the turn signals (and clean) turned on, but another independent light source is also good, of course, there should be a warning triangle.

 

  1. Do you rely on ABS?

Another error. Some drivers think ABS, ESP systems can shorten the stopping distance. This is only half the truth. These systems help stabilize the vehicle during extreme maneuvers. ABS allows direct braking with maximum braking performance without loss of stability. ESP stabilizes the vehicle when cornering and, together with ABS, when cornering.

 

Without these systems, we would not be able to brake with full braking so that the vehicle does not lose stability and the stopping distance is longer than calculated. But no system can overcome the laws of physics, and under normal conditions, it cannot shorten the stopping distance.

 

In which cases the driver can avoid the penalty for stopping in a prohibited place

For violation of the stopping and parking rules, the Administrative Code provides for various fines ranging from 500 to 5,000 rubles. However, in exceptional cases, traffic rules allow the possibility of parking cars in places where this is prohibited. The AutoVzglyad portal has figured out when a driver can do this with impunity.

 

The general provisions of the SDA (paragraph 1.2) contain the term “forced stop” when the vehicle stops moving in the following cases: a) a technical malfunction, b) the danger created by the cargo being transported, c) the danger in connection with the state of the driver or passenger, d ) the appearance of an obstacle on the way.

 

For example, if a wheel struck a car, you or a passenger felt unwell, or a pole fell on your way, then stopping the car in a prohibited place, according to the law, will be forced and you will not have any right to impose any sanctions.

 

In this case, the main thing is not to forget to perform the actions stipulated by the SDA: turn on the alarm and set the emergency stop sign. Recall that within the boundaries of the settlement, the “triangle” is installed at a distance of fifteen meters from the car, and outside the city – at least thirty meters from the car.

There is a third mandatory point – the driver must use all possible measures to remove the car from the forbidden zone: if there are forces, you have to push, there are no forces, you need to urgently call a tow truck. After all, we are talking about a forced stop, not a parking lot.

 

If the matter happened at the railway crossing, which is why no one is insured, you should immediately and immediately drop off all passengers so that they retire to a safe distance from the place of a possible accident. Then it is necessary to take measures to free the railway crossing from transport. While the train is far away, it is best to immediately send two people on both sides of the train to meet the trains, so that they signal the drivers about the obstacle in their way on time. In extreme cases, this should be done by the driver. To be noticed, you can swing the motley cloth to the sides or give light signals by a lantern. In all these cases, the car owner must use a reflective vest.

 

As practice shows, if a CCTV camera detects a car parked in a prohibited place, the car owner will, in any case, receive a “letter of happiness” – even if it is shot, how a person changes the wheel. In such cases, drivers have to appeal the protocols and prove in court that the stop was forced.

How to protect a pedestrian on the road in the dark

Klops publishes instructions for Kaliningraders on actions in extreme and everyday situations that require attention. Experts explain where to turn and how to act.

 

White or yellow clothes will make the pedestrian more noticeable for drivers, and the use of reflective material elements will significantly reduce the risk of getting under the car in the dark. Klops, with the help of the propaganda group of the regional traffic police, prepared recommendations for its readers on how to protect a pedestrian on the road.

 

Out of town – with reflectors

According to the rules of the road, in the dark, a pedestrian must use reflective fabric elements on clothing. In the city, this is just a recommendation, and outside the settlement, the requirement becomes mandatory. For violation, a fine of 500 rubles is imposed.

 

How to choose a light element

You can purchase a keychain with a reflective element and hang it on a bracelet. There are also badges and reflective stickers that can be attached to clothes, a backpack or a bag. Such trifles can be bought for 60 rubles at Russian Post offices, supermarkets, bookstores, and children’s stores, as well as at gas stations.

 

To choose a high-quality product, the traffic police advised us to photograph it with a flash.

 

“If the image is ‘illuminated’, then the material is of high quality,” the department explained, adding that the area of the retro-reflector should be at least 25 square centimeters.

 

The greatest safety at dusk and night for pedestrians will provide a special reflective vest. The larger the retro-reflector, the more likely it is that the driver will notice it.

 

Follow the rules of the road

On the edge of the roadway, pedestrians are required to move towards transport, the traffic police recalled. It’s easier to control everything that happens on the road. When approaching the car, it is recommended to slightly step aside, especially at this moment two cars are moving apart.

 

You can only walk along the sidelines of country roads. Walking on motorways is prohibited by law.

 

Invisible Pedestrian

A man in black clothes is invisible in the dark, while yellow and white clothes are visible even at night at a distance of 24-37 meters. The presence of a retro-reflective element will make the pedestrian visible to the driver for 200 meters, and in the high beam headlights – for 350 meters.

 

The traffic police reminded that in a critical situation, the car will not stop instantly. The braking distance on a dry road is 20 meters, on wet asphalt – 35, on packed snow – 70 meters.

 

In May, in the Ozyorsk district, a 15-year-old teenager was hit by a car to death. A schoolboy was walking along the side of the road towards Mayakovskoye village.

Lifehack on the “winter” ride

The next advice to motorists was given by the commander of the Budennovsky company of traffic police.

 

The Stavropol Territorial Administration of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate continues to publish videos with useful tips from the heads of departments of the traffic police.

 

The first video from the series “Lifehack from the Head of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate” was presented by the Chief State Inspector of Road Safety of Stavropol Aleksey Safonov.

 

The next batch of useful tips was given by the commander of a separate company of traffic police in the Budyonnovsky district, Alexei Krets. His life hack will help drivers prepare for the trip and equip the car for driving in winter conditions.

 

The police major recalled that before the trip you need to believe how much the car is filled up. It is necessary to take an additional tank with an “ice-free”, a warning triangle, a brush and a scraper with you on the road. Also, a reflective vest, a can of defrosting liquid, a tool kit and a car charger for your phone will always come in handy on the road to always stay in touch. A small bag of sand and salt will not interfere with drivers in the winter, so as not to get stuck on a slippery road. Before traveling, the inspector recommends checking the brake system and steering, the heating system and the wipers. Also, it is imperative to check whether the lights of the car are working. And, of course, the traffic police categorically do not advise to drive while tired or feeling unwell. These recommendations will appear on social networks and the pages of other resources on the Internet.

 

The videos from the series “Lifehacks from the Head of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate” are published every 10 days, specified in the Office of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the Stavropol Territory.

 

Road safety: Inflatable vest for motorcyclists

A vest that inflates to help protect motorcycle riders in high impact crashes could become a standing piece of equipment for those riding on Northland roads.

 

The vests fit over the normal riding gear and a simple elastic-nylon tether connects the bike to a gas cartridge mounted in the front of the vest.

 

When the rider falls off the bike, a steel ball is pulled away from the housing that holds the gas cartridge, inflating the vest and protecting the rider’s neck, back, and chest.

 

The reflective vest will inflate in 0.1 of a second.

 

Keen rider Heidi Millard, IT project manager with Whangārei District Council, commutes to work every day from Maunu. She won a Helite vest at the Get Ready To Ride event in Whangārei, in September as part of Motorcycle Awareness Month.

 

While it is yet to be given the ultimate test she wishes she had it when she was involved in a rush-hour crash on the Auckland motorway when a driver decided to do a u-turn in front of her.

 

Millard slammed into the rear tire of a car when the driver of a car did a u-turn on the four-lane motorway.

 

She had no time to react; fortunately, her bike suffered more damage than she did.

 

“He did a turn across all four lanes. I hit my brakes but ended up hitting his rear wheel and coming off. The first thing I thought was someone was going to run me over”.

 

Wearing the new vest she said gave her a feeling of having a bit more protection if things did go wrong.

 

A Sergeant with Northland police Highway Patrol, Lance Goulsbro, is also a motorcycle trainer and was presented with a vest by Gillian Archer of RoadSafe Northland.

Goulsbro said the vest should become a part of any rider’s kit and while it was an extra cost, it could save a rider’s life.

 

“This blows up like airbags in a car and protects all your internal organs. It gives you a better chance of surviving a crash.”

 

Archer also encouraged riders to invest in the new piece of safety equipment.

 

“You can’t put a price on getting home after a ride,” Archer said.

Is it illegal to wear “Polite” jackets and high-vis vests?

For bikers and horse riders, being seen is vital for obvious reasons. Many choose to wear reflective clothing and high-visibility outerwear to make sure they stand out on busy roads and rural lanes.

 

But one particular type of high-vis clothing has caused a bit of a debate.

 

Jackets and reflective vests bearing the word “POLITE” have been adopted by several bikers and horse riders.

 

But critics say that such clothing could cause them to be mistaken for mounted or motorcycle police officers-with police also issuing guidance on the matter.

 

Devon and Cornwall Police released figures on this matter recently via a Freedom of Information request, the results of which are logged on their website.

 

Between 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2015 there were four arrests made for people impersonating police officers.

 

During the same time frame, no one was arrested for wearing a reflective fluorescent jacket bearing the “POLITE” logo.

 

But, is it illegal to wear a jacket bearing the word “POLITE”?

 

Well, in short, the law seems to be a bit ambiguous on the matter.

 

Last year the MailOnline reported how Jocelle Lovelle, 45, from Penarth, and her fellow animal lovers dress in the “POLITE” high-vis outfits after Jocelle’s teenage daughter Seren was knocked from her horse.

 

The article claimed that police encourage horse riders to wear high-vis clothing but not to deliberately mislead motorists.

 

Inspector Lisa Gore of South Wales Police said: “Some riders have reported drivers sounding their horns and revving their engines to frighten horses because they feel misled.”

 

“We want to ensure the public make an informed decision about wearing such clothing.”

 

Back in 2013 when these jackets first started appearing on our roads, the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) wrote to the British Horse Society pointing out that wearing such kit could cause riders to be mistaken for mounted officers.

 

In a letter published on the British Horse Society website, Assistant Chief Constable Ron Hanson wrote: “These articles have caused concern to the police because individuals wearing them are likely to be mistaken for being a police officer due to the design closely resembling police uniform.

 

“Any item of clothing that has been manufactured to match these characteristics of police uniform is at risk of contravening legislation, namely Section 90 Police Act 1996.”

 

While it is illegal to impersonate a police officer in the UK and offenders can be jailed for up to six months, it appears no one is on the record as saying that these particular jackets are illegal and should not be worn.

 

Indeed, a quick Google search shows dozens of such items freely on sale at shops across the UK.

 

Our advice? Probably best to give them a miss and don’t take the risk-but always wear high-vis clothing if you are worried about not being seen.