Take care of your visibility on the road

Take-care-of-your-visibility-on-the-road

Only in 2017 on Polish roads, the police recorded 32,760 accidents in which 2,131 people lost their lives. Over 38 percent they were not motorized, they are pedestrians or cyclists. Especially in autumn and winter, this statistic can be improved, taking care of its visibility.

There is a misconception that only after passing the driving test we become participants in the road traffic. In the end, drivers and motorcyclists must undergo many hours of training, during which they learn the rules and rules of getting around on the roads. Meanwhile, the Law on Road Traffic clearly indicates that the records collected in it relate to each of us, whether we are moving by car, motorbike, bike or even on foot.

Be visible – a legal obligation!

The terms used in the Act shall mean:

Participant in the movement walking, driving, and other people staying in a vehicle or on a vehicle on the road.

Who is he walking then? The Code defines it as a “person” outside the vehicle on the road and not carrying out works or activities provided for in separate regulations, and a person driving, pulling or pushing a bicycle, moped, motorcycle, stroller, handicapped or disabled, a person moving in a wheelchair, as well as a person under the age of 10 driving a bicycle under the care of an adult. ” It is worth noting here that according to the pedestrian regulations there is also a person moving on a scooter, skateboard or rollerblades.

The entire second chapter of the Act concerns pedestrian traffic. The collection of principles contained in it aims to maintain order on the road, as well as taking care of our safety. It clearly defines where pedestrians can move, how they should cross the road or track, and what rights and responsibilities they have. By passing the driving test, you are confirmed that you have read the applicable regulations. Pedestrians, going out on roads or pavements, do not have to do this, but this does not absolve them from the obligation to comply with the rules. Today we will focus on one that was added in mid-2014:

Pedestrian moving along the road after dark outside the built-up area is obliged to use reflective elements in a visible way for other road users unless it moves on a road intended only for pedestrians or on the sidewalk.

Why is visibility on the road so important?

The analysis of statistical data on accidents on Polish roads leaves no room for doubt. Only in 2017, the police recorded 12,409 incidents involving pedestrians or cyclists. 11,411 people were injured in them, and 1093 were killed. Although the majority of accidents (11,099) took place in built-up areas, the more severe ones were those that occurred outside of it. The figures also clearly indicate that the most dangerous months for the so-called “unprotected” road traffic participants fall into the autumn and winter period.

The police drew attention to the above conclusions in the annual report on security on Polish roads. “Outside the built-up area, the roads are not illuminated, therefore pedestrians are less visible, especially during bad weather conditions” reads the information regarding the accident site. In turn, as the reason why the months between October and December are the most tragic, the police mention: “our climatic conditions, especially worse visibility at early dusk.”

The difference that a simple reflex can make can be visualized, thinking about the driver’s range of vision. On an unlit road after dark, walking in dark clothes will be noticed only from a distance of 20 – 30 meters. A car traveling at 90 km / h will pass this distance in about a second. It’s not enough to react, press the brake pedal, activate the braking system and stop the vehicle. Wearing a simple reflective vest you can be noticed from even 150 meters, it’s 5 seconds more for a reaction that can save our lives.

How to improve your visibility?

Reflectors are found today in a variety of forms, such as a backpack pendant or headband. They do not constrain the movements in any way and they definitely improve our safety. A frequently made mistake, however, is the wrongly chosen place where these elements are worn. It should be remembered that the reflector should be as close as possible to the lighting line of the reflectors. It is also worth making sure that it has not been obscured by, for example, a hanging scarf and whether it is visible to drivers on both sides, we do not want to be the victim of a car ahead of you on a narrow road.

If we often move around dangerous places, it may be a good idea to buy special clothing with reflective fabrics. Such clothes do not cost more than regular shoes or jackets, and they guarantee definitely more security. Parents who will not have to worry about whether their child has forgotten about the glare may be especially appreciated. Since we are already in clothing, it is worth choosing bright colors. They do not replace the reflection, but they are visible from far more distances than dark colors.

The alternative is to use a telephone. It must be remembered that most models are equipped with cameras with lighting diodes that can be permanently activated as a flashlight. It may also be a good idea to set the brightness of the screen to the maximum and enable a bright background. Even something so seemingly simple can help the driver see us from a greater distance and be especially careful.

Not only outside the city

The law requires the wearing of reflective materials outside built-up areas, but there is no doubt that using them on any road can save a life. The cheapest key chains can be bought for a few zlotys, and it takes less than a minute to mount them to a backpack or bag. As you can see, their help can be invaluable especially now, when the darkness falls early, and the visibility of the road leaves much to be desired.

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