Category: safety vest

Mototaxis drivers sensitized in Douala

According to a recent report, 23% of traffic deaths occur among motorcyclists.

Around the world, 3,400 people die every day on the roads. Recent studies have shown that 23% of traffic deaths occur among motorcyclists. In Cameroon in general, and in the city of Douala in particular, the figures for motorcyclists’ accidents are becoming more and more important, because of the limited knowledge that drivers of these two-wheeled vehicles have about road safety. Still across the national triangle, 70% of the causes of traffic accidents are human. “Motorcycles face higher hazards than cars and other vehicles. In fact, the reduced size and less stable nature of the motorcycle, the potholes, the uneven heights between the tracks and other irregularities or objects expected on the road pose a serious threat to the safety of the motorcyclists, “Kaman observes. Kiore Maura, Managing Director of Guinness Cameroon SA.

 

The boss of the brewery apartment company Diageo group was speaking during a sensitization session for motorbike drivers organized by its structure on Saturday, October 14, 2017, in Douala. The event is chaired by Kim Noun Nana Thierry, secretary general of the Littoral region and representative of the governor in the proceedings room of the company based in Bassa district, gathered more than a hundred drivers residing in Douala. Guinness Cameroon SA also took the opportunity to give these carriers safety vests. According to the boss of Guinness Cameroon, this is an effective tool for reducing the risk of accidents because it allows day and night for the person riding the bike to enjoy greater visibility on the road.

 

An initiative that beneficiaries has not failed to salute. “Your commitment is proof that we can count on Guinness Cameroon,” said Willy Kennel, president of the motorcycle drivers of Douala 5th district. The latter took the opportunity to call the brewery to accompany the “bounciness” of Douala in the process of obtaining driving licenses. While recalling the importance of the mode of transport by motorcycle in the city of Douala and in the remote areas, the secretary general of the Littoral region called the beneficiaries of these chasubles to make good use of it. “These chasubles are not just clothes. I invite you to make good use of reflective materials to reduce the accident rate in Cameroon. “said Kim Noun Nana Thierry.

 

In five years, Guinness Cameroon says it has already distributed nearly 200 miles of high visibility vests to motorcycle drivers in Cameroon. “We are trying to do our best to assist the state in this effort to secure the road,” said the CEO of Guinness Cameroon. Throughout his speech, he has repeatedly called on motorcycle drivers to avoid any alcohol consumption when they are called to drive. The representative of the regional delegation of the Littoral transport at this event hailed this initiative which frames according to him with the objectives fixed by the Ministry of Transport.

Safe to school – safe home

The start of the new school year requires special attention from all road users. With the kick-off event at the beginning of the school year “Safe to School – Safe Home” in the Wittelsbacher Land, organized by the Roundabout and supported by the Theresa elementary school Friedberg and designed with a great supporting program, all responsible persons made an important contribution to the road safety.

 

School, district administrator, mayor, police, school board, traffic guard, ADAC, parents and savings bank appealed to the special caution, to the protective measures of the children and in particular the motorists were called to the special caution, so the general tenor “the safety of the pupils and students are all dear to our hearts! “. Rector Elisabeth Kern emphasized in her welcome address that this commitment is particularly important and necessary.

 

The importance of the safe way to school Klaus Metzger and Mayor Roland Eichmann, who is still desperately looking for traffic helpers for Friedberg, and also police councilor Ralf Burley from the police headquarters Schwab Nord, because in the first half of 2018 there were more school-leaving accidents in which four children were killed. The school choir enthused in between time and again with his song contributions. After school director Ingrid Hillenbrand welcomed almost 100 first-graders, the schoolchildren were given the protection vests by the guests of honor, which the ADAC Foundation provided.

 

KVW chairman Helmut Beck also appealed to the parents that the ADAC safety vest can only have its protective effect if worn by the children. Wolfgang Pretzel, managing director of the community campaign “Safe to School – Safe Home” thanked EPHK Hubert Schroder from the Ministry of Interior for the organized activities, which represents an important step towards more road safety on the way to school.

 

He also emphasized that no serious traffic accident had to be registered on the crossings and intersections with traffic helpers. In the end, there was a common appeal to all motorists “Always be careful, focused and take special care of the little schoolchildren!”

Holiday fun in the last holiday week

Also in the last holiday week, there were plenty of adventure for children as part of the urban children’s holiday program. 12 children met for a great afternoon at the shooting club. At the beginning, interesting facts about the air rifle and the shooting sport were explained. Then it went for a part already in the shooting range, the other went outside and played darts. Thanks to the electronic shooting range there are conditions such as the Olympic facility in Munich. Proper stance, holding the air rifle, charging and aiming and then hitting the middle proved not so easy. After a few test shots, the points were counted to crown the “winner” at the end of the day. Between the passes, the children tested the marksmanship at the darts competition, played foosball or football or fortified themselves with cool drinks.

 

For the second time, the brewery offered a guided tour. 15 children, equipped with a safety vest, made their way to the interior of the brewery. After the participants had learned about the basic ingredients of brewing art such as hops, malt, water and yeast, the very brave ones were allowed to examine the huge beer tanks from the inside. In order to come back stronger after the long excursion, the brewery offered children an original brewery pretzel with apple spritzer.

 

15 boys and girls attended the program “Children’s Yoga”. After the welcome by the yoga teacher, it was a round of introductions and then directly into the “lotus position”, the seat of yoga. In this attitude, there was first a meditation, to calm down and to strengthen the concentration.

 

This concentration had to show the children in exercises such as the caterpillar, cat, dog. To greet the morning and welcome the sun, the children learned the sun salutation.

 

A karate introductory training also took place in the last holiday week. After the welcome by head coach Schlitz and his assistant trainers, there was a small karate quiz followed by warm-up exercises. It continued with targeted stroke exercises, with concentration and body control played a major role.

 

Children wore safety clothing were taught a step-fist-kick combination, which they then tested on special padding. The children were working up a sweat. In between, there were always games that required the skill and teamwork of the children.

 

The next day, the Taekwondo-Do-taster training took place. After the welcome by Christian Forster the warm-up started and the kids learned how to count in Korean. With much enthusiasm, the children were immediately afterwards able to prove their kicking ability in the “foil test”. The stronger the kick was, the louder was the sound that made the special foil. The self-liberation from hand and strangleholds was popular. With the right technology, every little fighter could free himself from the grip of his opponent. A shadow fight at the end and splitting a board with a single kick was the highlight of the day. At the end of the introductory training everyone received a small present from the Taekwondo-Do Center.

 

18 young people came together for the “adventure trip through the night” with six employees in the room rented by the community in the Adam Rauscher house. After the welcome by the leaders and staff and a “get-acquainted game”, the kids were divided into groups for a city game. Much joy made approximately two hours lasting game, whereby it went around the topic: “all banana or what?”. For example, the kids had to measure a car length with a banana. That makes you hungry is not a problem. So the young people made their way to dinner. Anyone who was in the mood for a stick bread with jam afterwards could bake this on a glowing dish prepared with charcoal.

 

Then they set off on the torch night walk, which then had to be stopped because it literally seemed to fall in the water.

 

Back at the Adam Rauscher house, a lot was played, rattled and romped, until a DVD ushered in the end of the evening.

 

The next morning, after a copious breakfast, the young people listened to a biblical story, presented by Martin, youth lecturer at the community. A heartfelt thank you go out from the community to all the parents who have trusted to entrust their children for a day and a night.

 

On Thursday afternoon, 30 children who wear hi vis vests met at the Bowling Center. After the welcome groups were formed, who played together on one of the eight tracks. After a few “normal” game, the children were allowed to bowl under a black light. The girls and boys were there with joy and zeal, so that in the end the group with the most points could enjoy a free drink. The best player and the best player got a bowling voucher.

 

There was a lot of fun for 20 children at “Game and fun around the horse” at the riding club at the end of the week. In a beautiful weather, the children got a tour and a stable guide with explanations in attitude, handling and care of the horses and first basics for the physique of the animals. Especially the horse Thor got many strokes of the mostly female participants. They were also allowed to take part in a quiz on the knowledge they learned so well that initially no clear winner was found. For the last determined winner, there was then pony riding for free.

Do accidents increase with delivery and parcel companies?

The competition is forcing many delivery companies are betting on an increasingly common formula, in order to reduce costs. It is about looking for self-employed workers, who work with their own vehicles for these companies. Now a study warns of the risks that this practice is bringing for road safety.

 

University College London (UCL), which conducted the research, found that 63% of self-employed drivers do not receive road safety training on how to minimize risk. In addition, 65% do not receive even the most basic security equipment, such as a safety vest (70% buy their own) and reflective tapes. The study also surveyed taxi drivers and found a very similar situation.

 

Up to 42% of drivers said their vehicle had been damaged as a result of a collision while working, and 10% more reported that someone had been injured. Only 25% of courier drivers claimed that their company cared about their safety while they worked.

 

Heather Ward of the UCL Transportation Studies Center said: “Our findings highlight that the increase of these contracts in transport companies could increase the risk factors that affect the health and safety of workers.” Among his concerns, he stresses that as there are more workers in these conditions and competition increases. They increase the number of hours they need to work and the distances they must travel to obtain a stable income.

 

Fatigue, especially among parcel couriers, due to overwork and the pressure of delivery time leads to frequent mistakes and collisions. “We know it’s a problem, but we do not know exactly how long it is, since not all companies have an obligation to report on the number of self-employed workers,” Ward said.

 

The report makes a series of recommendations to companies that use self-employed drivers:

Pay messengers for blocks of time, instead of delivered packages. In doing so, they must take into account the time necessary to travel safely within the speed limits, taking into account that they must perform administrative functions, such as scanning codes and signing the receiver of the package.

 

Do not allow mobile phones to cause distractions. Most workers currently receive orders through a smart phone application.

 

The Society for the Prevention of Accidents to ensure that the conclusions of the study of UCL are worrying, considering the rise of this type of work. It should be added that in the United Kingdom (as in Spain). One third fatal accident involves someone who was at work at that time.

 

Companies of this type should have programs to minimize risks to road safety (drivers and other road users should wear safety clothing), which carry their business, without a doubt. And maybe we should all have more understanding when we receive an order that we have made online with a couple of hours late. That would also help.

School starts – what should be considered?

Police Superintendent Jennifer from Directorate Traffic, gives tips and hints about traffic safety advice. These are not only addressed to the parents and children, but also to the other road users:

The new school year starts and the first graders begins a new phase of life. In addition to new impressions and expectations of the school itself, the children are confronted for the first time of the dangers of road traffic. In order for the children to become safe and self-confident road users, we would like to inform you here about how you can accompany and support your children on this journey.

Children are not “little adults”

Children perceive the traffic differently. You still cannot estimate speed and distances like adults. It is not possible for them to know which direction a sound is coming from and it is also difficult for them to filter important and unimportant noise. Because of their height they have a different angle; they cannot look over cars and their gaze is obscured by many obstacles. Even her field of vision is about one third smaller than in adults up to the age of 8 years. Children do not have any dangerous awareness yet. They mix imagination and reality. They can also be distracted easily in traffic and often react impulsively. They then run thoughtlessly and without concentration across the street. The conversion from near to far-sightedness also happens to children with a delay. So there are many reasons to prepare children for school in good time.

Walk to school

Give your child an early opportunity to get to know and explore the way to school. Practice correct behavior with possible danger points (exits, construction sites, parking cars) and use existing crossing aid (pedestrian traffic light, crosswalks, traffic islands). Many schools have school maps that can help you choose a safe way to school, because the rarest cases. The shortest route is the safest. Distractions such as mobile phones, music and wearing headphones should be taboo during the school trip, because they only distract your child from additional distraction. Inquire with classmates and their parents. This is more fun and also relieves a little. It is advisable to allow plenty of time in the mornings, so that your child does not have to travel to school on a stressful day or even have to run to school. In order for your child to be seen early by other road users, we recommend brighter and, if possible, reflective clothing. In the first classes, all children will be provided with reflective safety vests by the ADAC, which can save their lives on the way to school.

By car to school

If you bring your child to school by car, remember that it takes a suitable child seat to strap on until the age of 12 or up to a height of 1.50 m. Use seats with backrest as long as possible and change as late as possible to the so-called seat shells. It is always important that the belt of the vehicle is clearly guided over the clavicle of the child and does not go along the neck. Always have your child get off the sidewalk side, taking care of cycling and walking.

Leave the car in the garage

Your child can only become a safer road user if they get the chance to experience their environment independently. A so-called island hopping (to be taken by car to a friend, to school, to sport, etc.) hinders her child. In addition, the large number of vehicles in front of the school in the morning causes a real traffic chaos and it can lead to dangerous traffic situations.

If it is not possible for you to complete the way to school completely on foot, then park a bit away from the school. Dare your child a walk of 200-700m and make the way to school a ritual. Your child can gain experience on the road along the way, learn to recognize danger, to estimate distances. It enjoys the fresh air and will arrive waking up at school. It can also go along with classmates and exchange with them before class.

The idea of not driving up to the school by car is worth it! Not only you and your child benefit from it, but also teachers and residents as well as the police. You also support climate protection with it. Some schools offer projects on this topic. (Walking bus, traffic tamer, etc.) Inquire.

By bike to school

In the lower classes, we advise against letting your child go to school by bike alone. Children of this age are quickly overwhelmed with the bicycle in traffic. The cycle is driving training, which we carry out with your children. Therefore takes place only in the 4th grade. If you decide to accompany your child to school by bicycle, there is nothing to stop them from a police point of view. It trains your child and makes it familiar with the traffic reality. However, you should pay a lot of attention: your child should already be safe in dealing with their own bike and control it so well that it can pay full attention to the traffic. Wearing a bicycle helmet and a vest with reflective material is more than recommended. Children up to their 8th birthday have to, older children up to the 10th birthday are allowed to ride their bicycles on the sidewalk. You may accompany your child to the age of 8 years of cycling on the pavement. Take advantage of two existing walkways always the right one. Particular attention should be paid to the entrances and exits. When crossing the road, at traffic lights and crosswalks must be lowered and pushed. Cycle paths may yet use the children, but then only in the prescribed direction. Once your child drives on the road, the bike must be roadworthy. Make sure there is enough air in the tires. Choosing the way to school when riding a bicycle is especially important. Pay attention to the help of the crossing.

No matter which school you choose, be sensitive and respond to questions and fears of your children. But also promote his independence.

Be a role model because children learn by imitation and are guided by family role models.

Accompanying the policy in the first classes, pedestrian training, to practice the crossing of the road and to prepare the children for possible danger in traffic. At the beginning of the school, large banners of the police will point to the start of school and more school trips will be carried out in primary schools.

We also want your children to become confident and safe road users and to be able to look forward to their school start.

Everything for a safe shooting festival

The shooters on the weekend, 10 to 13 August, want a nice shooting festival – and above all, the safety of festival. For this, they have done everything again and put a safety concept on their feet.

Already 14 days ago, all participants sat together: volunteer fire department, police, German Red Cross, public order of the community and the shooters. Since then nothing stands in the way of the festival weekend.

“We have to register the parades “, explains Michael, organizer of the shooting festival. The approval was given the circle – with the same specifications as last year. “That calmed us down,” says Pache. Nothing was changed in the process.

During the parades – picking up the royal couple with a march on Saturday and a big parade on Sunday – the main focus is according to Pache on the main street. “This is blocked off with beacons provided by the community,” says Pache.

Folder for removals wanted

As in the past year, red-white cordon tape, signs and folders in safety vests are enough in the Tempo 30 zones that the shooters carry out in their moves. “So far, a lot of folders have reported,” says Pache. He could still use three to four helpers. If you are interested, you can contact Michael Pache at Tel. 01 76/64 39 17 31. He suspects that, as in the past few years, there will still be briefs. “We always get it.”

“We are on the safe side”

“On Saturday and Sunday, we are on the safe side during the parades.” Michael Pache is very satisfied with the support of the participants. Especially the local fire department emphasizes the organizer. For the children’s parade in the family afternoon on Monday, the effort is less. “The parade does not take place on the street,” explains Pache. The children are working on the church behind the royal couple.

The security concept of the shooters, however, does not only include the parades. Also, the bird shooting on Saturday and the [Q] -stall party on Friday evening must be safe. “The bird shooting range has been completely renovated,” says Pache. There are certain rules that must be complied with. “It’s all in line with the rules. We have no security concerns, “emphasizes the organizer.

[Q] stall is a big event

The [Q] -Stall-Party is meanwhile a major event for the shooters with more than 1100 party guests. As in the previous year, the members have again taken care of a professional security service. The shooters have decided for the company Galicia Security from Unna. “They did a good job last year – with a lot of tact,” says Pache. “We trust in it again this year.” The police also drive more patrol.

A look at the past shooting festivals shows that the holidays went quiet overall. Several years ago, some guests thought they could steal signs that stood on the road. Since then, the shooters have illuminated the parking lot. Should there be problems on the shooter’s field or in the tent, the shooters would use their house right, explains Pache.

So far, the “village character” has always come through at the shooting festival. “People want to celebrate together peacefully,” says Pache. And so it is again this year: “We all want to have a nice party.”

‘Litter cleaner’ Anne Baseman gets help from alderman

FRANEKER Anne Baseman got help from Jan, alderman for nature and the environment, during the cleaning up of litter. During this job, Jan expressed his appreciation for Anne, who has taken many initiatives to keep Franker and the environment clean.

Anne went into the Franker streets for the first time, almost four years ago, with the stick and safety vest. He sees the streets as the sign of nature, and who wants to eat a dirty plate?

He started his cleaning round, but his route has now expanded considerably. Via de Skulk Welfare, more and more volunteers (wearing safety clothing when go outside) are joining, so that the area to be kept clean can grow more.

Once a month they combine the cleaning up of the litter with collecting the old paper. This is not only good for the environment but also good for social well-being.

Approximately three times a year, clean-up actions are organized in collaboration with Morin. The volunteers (who wear red reflective vest made of high light reflective tapes) receive a reward for the hard work. Anne sees these initiatives at the starting stage and looks forward to seeing this grow even bigger.

Alderman Jan is very enthusiastic about the initiatives and commitment of Anne to nature. It also works for infectiously. When the environment is clean you will not easily throw something on the ground “.

People who want to lend a hand can do this first of all to put the waste in the garbage can. You can also sign up as a volunteer.

Racers pay for safety vests

The safety vests are distributed free of charge. Subsidized traffic safety training courses are also offered. “Super action,” says Fritz Meyer. The fit-skinned pensioner cycled on Friday to the weekly market by bicycle. Back we went with potatoes, apples and a brand new safety vest. At the beginning of the cycling season, representatives of the district, the police, and the Ampersand traffic police had distributed yellow safety vests to the visitors.

 

“That really brings a lot to safety,” says Elson, head of the police station. “Cyclists, but also scooter or moped riders can be seen much better,” said Elson. Even in bright sunshine, the reflective stripes would increase visibility. Rudolf from the Ampersand adds: “Good visibility is often vital for the so-called weaker road users.”

 

3000 vests will now be handed over free of charge at various prevention events or markets in the coming weeks. The necessary 6000 Euros come half of the National Traffic Watch and the district. He specifically uses revenue from traffic monitoring for such purposes. Not only are the safety vests financed by flashed Riser, but also other measures.

 

“For example, we regularly offer driver safety training on the air base. The participation fees are largely financed by the district’s traffic monitoring revenues, “explains prevention expert Hermann Nee of the police. Also at the spring meeting of motorcyclists on the weekend, he will again be present with colleagues at a preventive stand. Further distribution activities from the west are also planned in all other municipalities.

Avoid accidents on road with wearing safety vest

It also recommends helmet on and safety vest or fluorescent textiles on. “Responsibility and mutual care are essential in road traffic,” says Professor Dr. med. Joachim, Deputy DGOU President, and President of the German Society for Trauma Surgery as well as Director of the Department of Trauma and Hand Surgery of the University Hospital Dusseldorf.

 

According to calculations by the Federal Statistical Office, in 2016 there were a total of 81,272 bicycle accidents in which people were injured. 393 cyclists died. The main cause of serious bicycle accident injuries was a car crash in 74 percent of the time. In accidents involving a car, the cyclist was only 24 percent the main cause of the accident.

 

A collision between cyclists and turning car or truck drivers is one of the causes of serious cycling accidents. Therefore, Dr. Christopher, Head of the DGOU Prevention and Senior Physician Section at the Department of Trauma Surgery, Orthopedics, and Plastic Surgery at the University Medical Center: “Attention and respect for cyclists must become even stronger.” Do not forget to turn your shoulder glance and seek eye contact with the cyclist. Eye contact ensures mutual perception. If it does not come about, the cyclist should drive restrained, in order to be able to react to a dangerous situation in time – if necessary by stopping and turning the vehicle. Sparing advises: “For their own safety, cyclists should not rely on their right of way.” This applies especially to truck vehicles. Cyclists need to be aware that they may be in the blind spot and the truck driver cannot see them. Remedy here provides technical turn-off assistance, but with which trucks are so far only sporadically equipped and on the cyclists should therefore not rely.

 

In his own interest, the cyclist should also ensure that other road users could recognize him quickly at any time of the day or night. In addition to the traffic-safe bike with lighting is suitable to wear reflective clothing. One option is the safety vest, a simple but very effective means. Reflective straps or stickers also improve visibility. “On the other hand, car drivers must not rely on this provision. Their perception for cyclists should always be sharpened – especially at intersections, “says Sparing.

 

In the life-threatening injured cyclists, the major traumatic brain injury is the main injury. “Every cyclist should therefore use a protective helmet,” advises bicycle accident researcher and DGOU prevention expert. A bicycle helmet protects the head by reducing the energy that acts on the skull when impacted – helmet wearers thus suffer less severe head injuries. In 2017, 19 percent of cyclists wore a helmet. That is an increase of two percent over the previous year. In 2010, it was 9 percent. “The increasing acceptance of the helmet is very positive. Overall, unfortunately, there are still too few people using a helmet, “says Jurua.

 

Helmet, safety reflective vest, and a look at the risks in road traffic are measures that cyclists can implement on their own responsibility immediately and at any time – but which cannot prevent every accident. “For more safety for cyclists, further measures such as infrastructural changes in traffic are therefore necessary,” says Sparing.

Round Table 47 donates safety vests

The Service Club Round Table 47 has equipped four urban day care centers with safety vests for the children. Not only children, parents and educators were happy about the reflective vest, with which the Katanga groups can be seen, better during excursions and traffic exercises.

 

Round Table is an international association of young men with around 3500 members in Germany. “RT is born of the spirit of the English club life, the membership ends automatically with the completion of the 40th year of life, and thus a permanent influx of new ideas is secured. Round Table 47 was founded in 1969 in Monchengladbach to cultivate contacts, professional Exchange experiences and start repeatedly non-profit projects.

 

Traffic safety consultant Erwin Henchman from the police is also enthusiastic: “Even the youngest children often wear dark clothes today – that looks chic, but makes them almost invisible in twilight and darkness.”