Walkers, be careful! Reflective elements are mandatory

Reflective-elements-are-mandatory

The new duty is to increase pedestrian safety. A very cheap solution for pedestrians can save their lives.

The long-awaited obligation to wear reflective vests under reduced visibility will come into force this Saturday, February 20th. On the basis of the amendment to the Road Traffic Act, pedestrians will have to wear reflective elements for reduced visibility when moving outside the village along the roadside or on the edge of the road in a place not illuminated by public lighting.

Reflective elements will be mandatory for pedestrians not only at night but also in clouds or fogs. Pedestrians will not have to wear reflective vests. It will be a good complement of retro reflective material of distinctive color (e.g. yellow, light green) that will be visible to other road users.

The Ministry of Transport recommends pedestrians to use a reflective belt on their legs or hands towards the roadway. Ideally, such a tape should appear on both limbs. These tapes can be bought in sporting goods stores or in classic supermarkets, costing around 30 crowns.

The test of the sister magazine Motor World has shown that even with this inexpensive solution, the pedestrian can be seen much better than not illuminated. The Ministry of Transport adds that while a pedestrian in black outfit sees the driver in the dark at a distance of only 18 meters, using a reflective element he can recognize him for 200 meters. As a result, the chauffeur has more time to respond to pedestrians and avoid him.

The solution is also the distinctive reflective fabric that are part of the clothing (or bag, bags). On the contrary, the flashlight or other light sources from the point of view of valid legislation according to Pert Womack of the Central Automat Club of the Czech Republic is not enough.

Pedestrians who do not blink out reflective elements outside the village will face a fine of CZK 2,000 in block proceedings in the administrative proceedings and will pay from 1,500 to 2,500 crowns in administrative proceedings. However, police officers will be lenient in the coming weeks and instead of sanctions they will focus on education. In co-operation with BESIP, infringing pedestrians will be given free-of-charge reflective tapes and bags.

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