A fine of up to two thousand Czech crowns “on the spot” is to be imposed on the breach of duty. However, it must be reduced visibility and walking on the road without public lighting. Pedestrians should use at least one reflective material on clothing if they go under reduced visibility on the road without public lighting. The government today approved a draft ministry of transport, which is part of the amendment to the Act on Road Traffic.
A fine of up to two thousand crowns “on the spot,” that is to say in the so-called block proceedings, is to be imposed for the breach of duty. The Office could then impose a fine of 1,500 to 2,500 crowns in administrative proceedings. The same sanctions threaten pedestrians already for violation of other duties, typically a poor passage. Exceptions are to be unpredictable, such as an unobtrusive walkway and temporarily non-functioning public lighting.
According to the design, a pedestrian is obliged to wear reflective elements positioned to be visible to other road users. However, only if it is moving under reduced visibility on the roadside or on the edge of the road in a place where there is no public lighting or where public lighting is not illuminated. All three conditions (reduced visibility, road, no lighting) are required at the same time to create an obligation.
Tip for a marketing event
Decreased visibility is, in addition to the night, especially fog, heavy rain, twilight or dawn. The law does not specify the exact dimensions or location of the reflective element on pedestrian clothing. However, it must be visible from the front and from the rear, that is, sufficiently large and uncovered. Optimal, according to the Ministry, is the use of a reflective tape, either on the pedestrian’s hand or foot (ideally in both places) pointing to the roadway.
The Authority expects that the acquisition of reflective elements will come to about 50 crowns, some of which have and are already in use. You can also expect marketing events where retailers, or even petrol stations, offer reflexive features at discount or free of charge. The ministry is counting on a five-percent increase in municipal police spending (due to the extension of controls). The main benefit for the state is to reduce the number of accidents, and to reduce the associated costs.
Visibility rises several times
The number of pedestrians killed in the Czech Republic declines (in 2013 there were 134 on the roads), among the countries of the European Union, but the Czech Republic is still one of the worst places. The Ministry recalls that many other countries, including Slovakia, have introduced the obligation to wear reflective elements. Reflective material can be seen at night three times as far as light clothing and more than ten times as far as dark clothing.
The Ministry of Transport originally considered a stricter variant – the use of reflective vests, not just elements. However, he dismissed this as well as a more lenient solution consisting only of another awareness campaign. If the government and subsequently the Parliament approve the amendment, it will start to apply from January 2016.