On August 31, the amendment to the Road Traffic Act came into force. It introduces the obligation to use reflective elements by all pedestrians irrespective of age, moving in the dark at an undeveloped area. Until now, such an obligation was only for children under the age of 15.
This is a very important change. Cops and experts underline that after a pedestrian with a glare, the driver will notice five times faster than the unmarked. A person moving at dusk on the unlit road is practically invisible. The driver will only notice it from a distance of 20-30 m. If we assume that the allowable speed outside the built-up area is 90 km / h, and the minimum braking distance at this speed is 90 m – we see that the pedestrian has no chance. Already one reflective element causes it to be visible from 150 m, in which case the driver has enough time to slow down, slow down and safely avoid him.
The new rules do not talk about how to wear reflective elements or how they look. They only require you to be visible to other road users. Experts emphasize that the lights of the car do not illuminate the entire silhouette of the pedestrian. They are suspended low (about 25 cm above the ground) and illuminate the road asymmetrically – more light is falling on the right side of the road. That is why reflectors should be placed as low as possible and right on the right. The right leg is the right leg – knee and ankle. Reflectors can be pinned to the legs or shoes. It is also worth to have a retro reflector also at the back, at back height, so that pedestrians are also visible to the rear. It is therefore worth to invest in a reflective vest or take care of the glare of our children’s backpacks or satchels.
“One glare can protect against disability and even save lives,” emphasizes Marcela, head of the Social Prevention Section of the Traffic Department of the Capital Police Headquarters. Unfortunately, pedestrians often do not remember the safety of their own and others, and they make up nearly 9 percent all accidents. The worst part is that they are dead themselves. What mistakes do we most often commit? First and foremost we go out on the street directly in front of a car or behind another vehicle such as a bus or a car. In this situation, the driver has no chance of reaction. Besides, constantly, we often cross the road in an illegal place or in a red light – he notes.
Masonic self-government cares for the safety of children and young people. Since 2002 he has organized the “Safe Road to School” campaign, where students from grades 4 to 6 of primary schools in Masuria learn the rules of road safety. The students received sets of young cyclist – helmets, bicycle lighting, safety vest and reflectors.