Tag: reflective vest

Cyclists and pedestrians, reflective elements can save your life in the dark

The cyclist is obliged to be illuminated at night, the pedestrian must have reflective elements outside the village. Reflective vest stands like two beers, yet we meet “invisible” pedestrians or cyclists every day. The fine is the least that can happen to them.

 

With short days and early twilight, you can find out more about drivers’ attention. But they are not alone on the road. Particularly in rural areas, he shares roads, often poor conditions, with pedestrians and cyclists who do not have a walkway or bike path.

 

How to fog lights? They can not only help but also do harm

These road users are the most vulnerable, but they sometimes behave as if they were immortal and walk or drive along the roadside in the dark without lighting or reflective material elements. It is hardly two months since we wrote about a pedestrian who was knocked down and injured to the hospital, probably because in the dark he walked on the road without lights or reflective elements.

 

Police statistics speak similarly. Over the past five years, more and more pedestrians have died on the road at night than in the daytime. In 2018 it was 55 by day vs. 58 at night. The largest number of pedestrian accidents, not necessarily fatal, occurred in December. November was second and January was third. And most pedestrian accidents occurred between 4 pm and 5 pm.

 

Reflective bracelets cost only twenty crowns. A larger and more visible reflective vest costs about 50 crowns, and when not needed, easily fits in your pocket or purse. It may not suit you, but safety on the way home is more important.

 

Since the beginning of 2016, ie for three and a half years, it has been instructing pedestrians to use reflective elements, paragraph 9, § 53 of Act 361/2000 Coll. on traffic on roads: “If a pedestrian is moving outside the village in poor visibility along the verge or at the edge of the road in a place not illuminated by public lighting, he/she is obliged to wear elements of retro-reflective tape material placed to be visible to other participants traffic on the roads.”

 

For cyclists, this is governed by paragraph 5 of § 58 of the same law: “In poor visibility, the cyclist is obliged to have a headlamp with white front light and a rear lamp with a red light while driving.”

 

If these obligations are not fulfilled, the pedestrian or cyclist may face a fine of up to CZK 2,500. However, this is negligible compared to what can happen to an “invisible” pedestrian or cyclist.

Pedestrians, watch out!

If you follow the road outside the village, you need to have reflective elements on your clothes, such as a sleeve belt or reflective vest. If not, you face up to two thousand fines. In administrative proceedings, penalties range from CZK 1,500 to 2,500. An amendment to the Road Traffic Act has been in force since Saturday, which obliges pedestrians to wear reflective elements.

 

The so-called non-motorized road users are the most vulnerable to road traffic. Pedestrians, in particular, should ensure that they are well visible at a sufficient distance and that drivers can avoid them in time. But the reality is that people often wear dark clothes on the roads. The chauffeur often sees them at the last minute and some clashes have fatal consequences for pedestrians.

 

Reflective elements are intended to increase their safety. The more they wear, the better. Generally, police officers recommend at least two. One placed on the hand and the other on the leg, especially on the right side, which is towards the road. “Illuminated flashlight or mobile phone are not considered to be a reflective element, because light from them is not visible from all sides,” said Kladno police spokeswoman Michaela Novakova.

 

“Police officers have been involved in the prevention of visibility of road users, especially pedestrians, for example in the framework of the project Seeing You. Therefore, their progress, alerting pedestrians to the use of reflective elements, nothing fundamental changes. It is only that if pedestrians do not have them, it is contrary to the law, “said Novakova.

 

Police officers can already fine pedestrians, but it is possible to negotiate. Over time, police patrols will be much stricter.

“Certainly we will not start organizing a pedestrian hunt without reflective elements. Rather, we will explain to them initially that it is about the safety of theirs, but also of other road users, “the spokeswoman said.

 

Many tests have shown that when a pedestrian moves in dark clothing, he is visible to the driver at only 18 meters, in white clothes to 55 meters and if his clothing is accompanied by a reflective sign which made of reflective heat transfer vinyl, the driver sees it at 200 meters.

 

In addition to the obligation for pedestrians to wear reflective material elements, the amendment also obliges drivers to clean the car from snow and ice or allows municipalities to ban segway operations.

Do you ride your bike at dusk? Be seen

Probably all of us sometimes found ourselves in a situation where we had to go cycling in the dark or even after dark. During the summer holidays and all-day cycling trips, it is not unique at all. However, it should be remembered that you need to be well visible. From a distance and all sides. As with pedestrians, the rules of visibility apply to cycle.

 

The driver reacts with a delay

The cyclist needs to be seen by the driver of the vehicle in time so that he can avoid it in time. Note that the driver reacts with a delay. To stop or stop the chauffeur in time, the driver must see you from a distance. Before the driver even begins to react, they pass more than two seconds and during that time the vehicle travels a relatively long distance.

 

The cyclist must be seen from all sides

From behind: The cyclist rides on the same side as vehicles that drive much faster, so visibility from behind is important. For this reason, the wheel must be equipped with mandatory red reflectors (rear and pedal) and red rear light. The light may also flash.

 

From the side: The cyclist crossing the intersection on the main road must be seen for vehicles coming from the side road, so it must also be seen from the side. It is necessary to have orange reflectors on the wheel spokes. However, you must not forget the reflective elements of clothing.

 

Front: In poor visibility, the wheel must be equipped not only with reflectors but also with a front light. However, you can significantly increase your safety by using reflective materials on your clothing.

Reduced visibility is not only in the dark.

 

Visibility is also impaired in fog, heavy rain, snowfall, from dusk to dawn, or in a tunnel. Again, the best assistant is the reflective vest, because it is not only equipped with reflective stripes but is made of luminous (fluorescent) material, so it is easy to see even in dim light and reduced visibility.

 

Most cautious must be a cyclist in the dark or rain

The driver has poor visibility, thanks to the raindrops on the vehicle’s window, the ambient lights “break” and the driver are also dazzled by the lights of oncoming vehicles.

 

Prepare reflective tapes

A fine of up to 2500 crowns is threatened from Saturday by pedestrians who will move in poor visibility on the road outside the village and in other designated places without mandatory reflective elements. This stems from an amendment to the Road Act, which will come into effect this Saturday. In particular, the measure should contribute to the safety of pedestrians, who often fall victim to traffic accidents in poor visibility.

 

The obligation to wear reflective elements for pedestrians will apply in poorly lit places, in municipalities especially in places where there is no pavement and pedestrians move along the side of the road. If pedestrians are not marked with reflective tapes or other elements, for example, they face up to two thousand crowns in block proceedings, while in administrative proceedings they are penalized in the range of CZK 1,500 to 2,500. Initially, however, according to the Ministry, the police will not penalize people but will negotiate and distribute reflective tapes and bags.

 

Police, in cooperation with Besip, are also planning to explain to people how to wear the tapes. “The strap should be located on the side facing the center of the road. So that the driver who is coming against me or from behind me can see how far as a pedestrian who goes along the side of the road or on the side of the road,” said Besip boss Martin Farář for Czech Radio.

 

The new facility mainly monitors pedestrian safety. Between 2012 and 2015, 523 pedestrians died on the roads, including 303 at night. Last year alone, 72 people died because they were not seen at night, the Ministry of Transport said. This repeatedly points out that to increase safety, it is not necessary to wear a reflective vest or another bulky reflective element, but even a luminous strip that can be easily removed from the pocket and placed on the sleeve. Reflective material elements increase pedestrian visibility in the dark up to 200 meters.

 

However, the amendment to the Road Act will not only apply to pedestrians. From Saturday it will also be possible to withdraw a driver’s license for half a year for drivers crossing the railway crossing at the time of signaling the arrival of the train. The fine for such an offense has not yet increased, but in the future, it is considered to increase from 5,000 crowns to five times.

 

Municipalities will also have the right to prohibit segway operation either using a traffic sign or by regulation, based on a related degree. The amendment also stipulates that people on these vehicles will be able to ride “at a speed comparable to that of walking”.

 

Reflective jacket for cars: obligation and penalties

Reflective life-saving jackets are mandatory to wear when you get out of the car parked outside the built-up areas and in poor visibility conditions.

 

The reflective vest also called a life-saving vest, required by law since 2004. The Decree of 30 December 2003 of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport establishes that those who get out of the car of a stationary vehicle in conditions of poor visibility (low illumination, fog, snow or heavy rains) is required to wear the jacket.

 

It is advisable to keep the jacket in the vehicle if possible not in the trunk so that it is within reach for wearing it before getting out of the car.

 

Reflective jacket, which one to choose?

The Highway Code provides in article 162 the use of the reflective jacket or alternatively high visibility retro-reflective braces.

 

What should the reflective jacket be like?

The 2003 decree established that jackets and braces must comply with the CE mark and UNI EN 471.

No matter the color, which can be yellow, orange or red, as long as it is fluorescent and has strips that reflect light.

 

The obligation of the reflective vest

 

Always art. 162 paragraph 1 of the Highway Code imposes the obligation of the reflective vest on drivers of all vehicles except cycles, two-wheeled mopeds, and motorcycles. Normally, quadricycles are not excluded, so those driving for example quads and mini-cars must have a jacket.

 

This also applies to foreigners, even if the decree focuses on vehicles registered in Italy, leaving drivers of foreign vehicles the possibility of having a non-homologated jacket.

 

In paragraph 4, the art. 162 of the Highway Code indicates that the jacket or shoulder straps must always be used by drivers outside built-up areas, stationary on the roadway, on emergency lanes and lay-bys, at night and during the day in cases of poor visibility, when they go down from the car, and in all signaling operations, how to position the triangle.

 

Once out of the car, the vest is also mandatory for other passengers besides the driver.

 

Lifesaving jackets: sanctions

It is advisable to keep the reflective vest in the door to wear it even before getting out of the car.

 

Those who break the rule can run into administrative fines ranging from 41.00 to 169.00, which for the driver goes to reduce even 2 points from the license.

 

In any case, it is not mandatory to have the vest with reflective tape in the car and show it during the checks, while it is for the triangle.

Tips for pet safety during Winter

With cold weather and outside conditions on the horizon, pet owners need to keep a few things in mind to keep their pets safe, healthy and comfortable this Winter.

 

Shelter crucial for pets as the seasons change, as is readily available, clean water and watching out for hypothermia.

The most important thing to keep in mind is shelter. Pets should have access to a comfortable and warm shelter to protect them from outside conditions, snow and cold weather.

 

Certain dog breeds are better made for cold weather than others. Short hair dogs such as Chihuahuas should not be kept outside too long, while long hair or thick-coat dogs such as Huskies can withstand much colder temperatures. If your dog will be outside during winter think about booties or coats for the dog as hypothermia and frostbite are very possible.

 

With dogs walking outside in the snow and on the pavement it’s crucial to keep them off of the ice as that can be dangerous and to wipe their pads so they don’t get antifreeze or road salt in them.

 

As for cats, it’s important to make sure they have shelter and water as well. Cats can be more resourceful at fending for themselves, but owners should still have spaces cats can go to keep them protected and warm.

 

Other things to keep in mind are to wear a reflective vest if taking your pets on walks at night and have an emergency kit for your pet with a blanket, food, water, and medication; enough to last five days is recommended.

Is the yellow vest soon mandatory for motorcycles and scooters?

We are used to seeing it worn by protesters. But the yellow vest could tomorrow be worn by bikers, and more generally drivers of two or three motorized wheels. The explanations of Maître Jean-Baptiste Dall, a lawyer in road law.

 

The mandatory wearing of the yellow vest, which returns to the front of the scene in recent days, is an old story for bikers. One could even say an old fight since users of two motorized wheels has so far been opposed to such a change. It is indeed not the first time that the idea of wearing a retro-reflective vest is advanced.

 

At the Interdepartmental Committee on Road Safety (IRB) on May 11, 2011, the government had already tried to impose it. After a few days of intense debate, the interior minister at the time, Claude Guéant, had backtracked. In the aftermath of the IRB’s announcements, many mobilizations were supported by the French Association of Suppliers and Users of Driver Assistance Technologies (AFFTAC). The bikers had been able to get quite easily the setting of the wearing of the vest. To be precise, he did not leave the closet but in the bag or under the saddle, since the presence of this equipment is mandatory in an automobile as motorized two-wheelers.

 

So why come out the vest?

 

Some misplaced minds could say that by imposing the yellow vest to bikers, it would tear the protesters. But this idea stems rather from the upcoming arrival in the Highway Code of the New Personal Electric Vehicles (NVEI) or Personal Movement Vehicles (PDU). Electric scooters and other hoverboards that swarm on the sidewalks of our cities for a few months. The government has therefore announced on May 4 an amendment to the Highway Code for September 2019. It’s objective: to make room in the regulation of these devices new mobility by imposing them, in addition to the helmet, the wearing of the yellow vest with reflective tape, night and during the day when “visibility is insufficient”.

 

Remember that it had long been envisaged to settle the legal issues raised by their arrival in the context of the Mobility Orientation Act (LOM). She refers to it. But its adoption is slow and the multiplication of incidents no longer allows to wait. The legal vacuum will be filled at the start of the school year using a regulatory amendment. However, the LOM law has not said its last word in terms of new mobility. And one will find probably in this catch-all text provisions relating specifically to NVEI or EDP. This is notably the case of amendment No. CD1951 filed on May 9 by 27 LaREM deputies, whose logic and content.

 

Everyone has the same sign

 

The diversity of the acclaimed machines, especially by users of agglomerations, raises the question of coherence. So we already find this concern in the announcements made May 4, for example in terms of wearing a helmet. It would indeed have been difficult to allow young users under the age of twelve to ride on a scooter without a helmet, while they must wear it when they are struggling on a bike.

 

The logic is a bit similar to Amendment No. CD1951 tabled on May 9th. We understand the concern of members to ensure the good visibility of users of electric scooters or other Monowheel, especially at night.

 

“Chapter 6 of Book 4 of the Highway Code is supplemented by a new Article L. 413-6 as follows: Article L. 413-6 – In circulation, every driver or passenger of a bicycle, a scooter, a Segway, a motorcycle, a motor tricycle, a motor quadricycle or a moped must wear a high visibility vest and be wearing a type-approved helmet. must be tied in. The fact that any driver contravenes the provisions of this section is punishable by the fine for class IV tickets.” In other words, everyone is housed in the same sign yellow mandatory vest with reflective material, bike to the bike through the scooter. Note that the question of the degree of visibility is not addressed in this amendment.

 

The question of the legal framework of these machines certainly had to be settled. But with electric scooters that can sneak as fast as scooter or motorcycle, the question of the difference in treatment arises. Why impose the wearing of the vest to the user of one of these scooters while the driver of a scooter neither more nor less fast would be dispensed? That’s why the 27 members want to impose the yellow vest on everyone.

 

In any case, many clubs and biker associations have already expressed their hostility to wearing the yellow vest.

 

Bus Driver for First Student Gets Reflective Belts for her Students

A school bus driver for First Student, based in Helena, Montana, recently felt the need to make school bus stops safer on her route. She decided to act after at least 7 kids were killed at bus stops nationwide last fall, or while loading/ Unloading their school buses.

 

Katee Horner has only been driving for a few months and quickly fell in love with the job and the children.

 

“I didn’t know if it was something I wanted to do when I first started, but I fell in love with it and all the kids on my school bus,” Horner said.

 

As Horner was thinking of ways to make the bus stop safer for the children she transports, she was reminded of the days she wore a reflective belt for various training exercises in the United States Army. In the army, the belts were referred to PT belts, physical training belts, and they were worn when running or conducting other activities so that cars were able to see them.

 

“Montana is very dark in the winter. If I am wearing a reflective vest in my school bus yard while I am getting ready to go out on my bus run, those kids aren’t even five minutes away from me waiting to be picked up, also in the dark,” Horner said.

 

First Student Location Manager Bevann Hamill added that some students are picked up in rural areas, where there are no sidewalks or lights. Especially in the winter there, it can get very dark. Horner said that half the time kids are standing on a dirt road.

 

Horner made it a goal to get as many kids as she can on her route a reflective belt. She also spread the word around to parents, asking them to help out where they can.

“It went from the kids on the busiest roads first, because they are the most at danger, and then I just went all around my entire bus route,” Horner said. “I am excited that so many parents like the idea. I also Had other local businesses find out about it and decide it was a very good idea too. They also wanted to help me get all my kid’s reflective belts.”

 

Hamill said when Horner presented the idea to her, she wanted to expand it to other routes and students. The transportation manager for Helena Public Schools and Hamill split the cost and bought belts in bulk.

 

“Even if in early summer here, it is bright in the day. But the colors on your clothes blend into all the new colors—the greens and yellows, they are blending in,” Horner said. “But the reflective belt with reflective tape is still making And I have about 75 percent of my kids still wearing them. I also have a few kids that are close enough to walk home, and they wear them when they walk home from school too.”

 

Hamill added that Horner has even seen kids on their bikes riding around and wearing the belts. “Especially the younger kids, they like them,” Hamill said. “She has gotten positive feedback from the kids and the families.”

 

Horner won second place for her idea in the nationwide safety category for First Student’s “Be First Awards.” Horner said she was honored to just be nominated, and even being chosen as a finalist was “super exciting.”

 

Horner was nominated by her peers and was selected as a finalist. Over 600 nominations were made in 7 different categories.

 

“Isay, second place is good enough for me, as long as the word gets around that the safety of our kids is number 1,” Horner said. “And that we need to get our kids more visible to other people, especially in the rural areas. To save a life, you can’t put a price on it. Yeah, the reflective belts, depending on what kind you get, might be anywhere from $4 to $10, but it’s nothing compared to a child’s life.”

 

The reflective vest disappeared from the obligatory outfit. The ministry says no

With the October Decree, drivers have no obligation to drive bulbs or fuses in their car, and the contents of the first-aid kit have changed. Almost no one has noticed, however, that a reflective vest is missing in the mandatory equipment. The ministry tried to simplify the decree and go through the Austrians. However, experts point out complications in interpreting the law.

 

The Ministry of Transport has simplified the technical equipment of the car. Decree No. 208/2018 Coll. Came into effect with the first October day of last year, which amended the decree on the approval of the technical competence of the car and on the technical conditions of operation of the vehicle on the roads. For example, you do not need to carry spare bulbs in a car, for example, which most drivers can no longer replace, or fuses or, in certain circumstances, a spare wheel. And from the first-aid kit, the drivers could take out a lot of things.

 

The Czech Republic was one of the last countries where the law ordered drivers to carry the equipment. By decree, the Ministry has simplified many things and is actually going through the Austrians, who also do not have to carry everything from a flashlight to a light bulb in their car, but their equipment is mostly related to the driver and is more on his responsibility than he wants to be prepared for. You can find a detailed overview of the changes here.

 

But few have noticed that after the revision, the reflective vest with reflective tape has been dropped from the decree, and thus from the mandatory equipment of the car, also recommended and expertly discussed. This is already mentioned only in the Act on Road Traffic No. 361/2000 Coll., According to which the driver must wear it in the case when it is moving on the road outside the village during an emergency stand. There is no obligation to wear reflective elements in the village.

 

Experts criticize the gap in the law, as this innovation can lead to speculation in the technical and roadside control of the car, but also to reduce road safety.

 

“I’m surprised that almost no one noticed. All of them, after the amendment of this decree, were limited to information on bulbs, fuses and the contents of the first-aid kit. Thanks to this, we almost missed the big topic of visibility of road users and possible complications associated with missing a vest in the vehicle,” comments the transport specialist Martin from Dekra, who drew attention to the hole in the paragraphs.

 

He added that it is necessary to alert the driver to the absence of a vest in the compulsory gear, as this should be clearly and completely defined in the decree to avoid speculation and speculation about the interpretation of the law. Now, drivers need to have a vest in the car.

 

The ministry insists that the vest remains compulsory. However, it is not really in the decree. Therefore, the editors asked for an interpretation of the transport law expert Michal Diablo. “It is necessary to distinguish between compulsory equipment, that is, what must be in the vehicle at all times and between what the driver must sometimes wear. And since the reflective vest has dropped out of the Decree on Technical Approval and Technical Conditions for Vehicle Operation on October 1, 2018, there is no doubt that it is no longer part of the mandatory equipment,” Dlabola pointed out.

 

Likewise, Roman, an expert on transport safety, sees the new Vision Zero security platform. “The reflective vest is no longer listed in the mandatory vehicle equipment. It is hard to say whether this is a mistake or a ministry’s intention,” he said.

 

The topic of visibility is often discussed and road safety experts often resemble the vest. In addition, since February 2016, the obligation to have reflex accessories for pedestrians outside the village has been introduced in the Czech Republic. “For this reason, the absence of a reflective vest appears to be a mistake in the compulsory equipment of the vehicle. If there is a mistake, the immediate remedy is in place,” Bednar appeals.

 

What does it mean in practice? The driver doesn’t have to drive her in the car. “This means that if the driver does anything other than move on a road outside the village in an emergency, due to an accident, failure, or nausea, no one can skip it and fine for not having a reflective vest in the vehicle. The police cannot blame the driver even if he/she is in an emergency state in the village or if he/she is in a state of an emergency outside the municipality, but does not move along the road,” explained Michal Dlabola, an expert on transport law.

 

Since the vest is not directly listed in the decree, it should not be interested in the STK technicians as part of the mandatory equipment of the car, which may not cause it to malfunction during the technical test of the car and threaten the driver that his car will not pass MOT due to a missing vest. Only mandatory equipment items are subject to control.

Not all reflective elements are equally practical

Employees of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Kazan conducted an experiment for journalists, they showed how far in the dark a driver might notice a pedestrian. The inspectors also told which light-reflecting elements are most effective in the dark.

 

“These are cute reflective face stickers, which children and adults really like, unfortunately, quickly come off. Bracelets seem to be comfortable, but they tend to get lost. Plus, in order to designate a child on the roadway, at least 4 bracelets are needed – on each hand and on legs, so that the driver from afar can determine that a person is moving in front of him, and not some mysterious luminous object. The best thing is the reflective vest,” said Oksana Kononenko, senior inspector for the promotion of OGIBDD of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Kazan.

 

The vest covers most of the child’s body and is very visible in the dark. It contains wide reflective tapes. Inspectors recommend combining reflective elements – wear a vest, along with bracelets, for example. Then the child will be very noticeable in the dark.

 

“This year, 166 road traffic accidents involving children were registered in Kazan. Unfortunately, 2 people died as a result of an accident. One of them – a 15-year-old teenager, who crossed the roadway in the dark, unfortunately, he was not marked by reflective elements. The driver did not have the opportunity to notice him in time and avoid a collision,” said Oksana Kononenko.

 

In order for children not to refuse to wear light-reflecting elements, inspectors recommend holding various games with them. For example, to convince a child that he will be the brightest and most noticeable. Manufacturers go to meet the buyer and put on the market “funny” reflective elements.

 

At the beginning of the experiment, DPS inspectors placed children with reflective stripes and adults without such stripes at a distance of 50, 100 and 150 meters. Turn on the main beam headlights of the car. An adult on 50 meters was not visible at all, which cannot be said about children.

 

Reflective materials glittered and 150 meters. The vests were clearly visible, but the child with the bracelets and stickers could not be noticed.

 

“In both cases, the vest was visibly better. Here, apparently, well, well, from afar. And if it’s just a small sticker – even it is not clear what it is,” said driver Sergey Novoseltsev.

 

“The vest is visible from afar and the person is immediately noticeable. Bracelets do not immediately catch the eye. When my children grow up, I will buy them such. In the suburban areas of the road it is very useful,” the driver Ilfat Islamov said.

 

“The experiment is timed to the ‘Safety Week’, which is held throughout Russia as part of the VI International Congress ‘Road Safety – for the Safety of Life’. And one of the key issues that experts around the world are discussing is the safety of pedestrians on the roadway. For large cities, a pedestrian hit has become a very common type of accident, especially at night. And now, when autumn has come, the early twilight, dark time in the day more. And children go to different circles, sections. And one of the most effective ways to protect children, proven in many countries, is the retro-reflective elements,” said Oksana Kononenko, senior inspector for the propaganda of OGIBDD of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Kazan.

 

Results of the experiment – stickers justified themselves. Bracelets cope more or less but do not give a hundred percent picture. Best of all – a safety vest. However, the most noticeable child is the one on whose clothes there are several light-reflecting elements at once. Such a child will definitely be noticed on the road.

 

It should be noted that the wearing of reflective elements outside the settlements is mandatory for both adults and children. For their absence, DPS inspectors may issue a fine.