In the winter months, drivers can easily get into unpleasant situations due to vehicle failure, skidding or traffic accidents. Do you know how to keep it going if you do not continue driving? Who should wear a reflective vest and really just carry one? And is it better to stay in the car or get out?
If the car breaks down, try to get it as close to the side as possible, especially if the situation occurs outside the city or on the motorway. Turn the engine off and turn on the hazard warning lights. Keep the reflective vest in the car in the reach and ideally out in the reflective vest on the right side of the car. Now it’s time to place a warning triangle. Place it on the edge of the road so that it is timely and clearly visible to arriving drivers, at least 50 m (this distance may be shorter in the village if circumstances so require), then on the motorway at least 100 m behind the vehicle. Then go safely away from the car and call the assistance service.
Report a traffic accident
In the event of a traffic accident, if nothing has happened to any of the participants and it is not necessary to call the rescue service or the police, follow the same procedure as in the event of a malfunction. Turn on the hazard warning lights when the accident is outside the community – put on the reflective vest with reflective fabric, and then place the warning triangle. Be sure to document the situation for the insurance company and agree on the fault. It is advisable to have it all in writing, preferably through the “European Road Accident Record” form. If you can not agree on the fault, it would be better to call the police to the accident. In the case of injury to one of the participants in a car accident, do not forget to provide first aid, emergency services, and police. Follow these instructions to follow up.
Never stay in the car
If you can not continue driving and have a car parked off the roadside outside the village or even on the motorway, always get out of the car and take it to a safe distance. “Pass the barrage or ramp and get to the safe distance from the car until the help arrives. Never stay in your car and do not leave small children in it. The car parked at the side can be easily overlooked by some of the passing drivers, “says Olga Nabokov from Bessie TSK, a.s.
Uses and obligations in the case of a reflective vest
“The use of a reflective vest is mandatory in the Czech Republic only for drivers. However, it must be remembered that from the rest of the crew that will leave the car pedestrians, who are also obliged to be outside the village, also signify reflective tapes. In this case, it is, therefore, appropriate to have a vest for every crew member, “recommends Olga Nabokov from Bessie TSK, a.s.
Attention! Although the law does not impose an obligation to carry reflective vests inside the car, even since the last year is not included in the mandatory equipment, the driver is obliged to use the reflective vest whenever he stands out of the car and moves out of the car outside the village. So if you are out of town, have your reflective vest always with you.