The use of reflective garments by motorcyclists continues to generate controversy, but the municipal measure is now in force.
“If you go on a motorcycle, use a reflective vest” could be the slogan that summarizes a fact: from today comes into force municipal regulations that require motorcyclists to use this garment (or its multiple variables) as a distinctive.
Since its announcement, more than a week ago, the panorama around this measure caused a stir among the drivers and divided the opinions into dissimilar ways. “The regulatory use of vests is already a fact. Despite the criticism in the streets and drivers seen using them from yesterday and note that people are interested in supporting the initiative, “said Enrique Romero, Under Secretary of Traffic and Transportation of the capital city.
In addition, the official stressed again the intention to take care of the life of the driver and pedestrians above all things. “We do not put numbers on vests or anything like that. What we seek is to improve road safety, “argued Romero. In this way, it differed from what is done in the province of Buenos Aires, where in the vest must be by law, the patent of the motorcycle.
In several stores, as noted by LA GACETA on Monday, the reflective vests had been exhausted, and the merchants were analyzing the possibility of ordering, in addition, garments such as divers and jackets with reflective tapes.
In parallel to this debut, today at 20 a number of groups of motorcyclists from Tucumán will carry out a new mobilization in Plaza Independencia in opposition to the use of vests. “As a biker, I’m also worried about safety because of the number of bikes that change lanes, they come in the opposite direction and do not wear helmets or patents. We are also affected by accidents, but to combat them we need more controls,” said crisp Andrea Maidan, member of the motorcycle group”Unión Rutera MG”.
Along with other groups, Andrea is part of the Facebook page “Lucha Motociclistas de Tucumán”, space where drivers want to be heard. “We are making contacts in the Deliberative Council to see whom we can talk to,” said motorcyclist Marcelo Carabajal.
- Who should wear reflective vests?
The garment will be regulated for the drivers and their respective companions. In the future, the use of the vest will also be borne by the cadets and delivery people. As an additional measure, the latter will have to add reflective tapes in the boxes of their bikes. Over time, Enrique Romero – Assistant Secretary of Transit and Transportation – will extend the mandatory reflective vest to employees of the geometries.
- What other reflective alternatives are there?
In addition to the waistcoat, the use of shoulder straps is also valid (a kind of light belt that crisscrosses the back and comes in orange or yellow). Another option is to resort to different clothing models made with high visibility materials, such as divers and jackets that already come with built-in reflective stripes or reflective heat transfer vinyl. Similarly, we can buy the light strips separately and sew them, on our own, to the clothing in question.
- How to recognize which vest is suitable?
The colors allowed in the municipal regulations are pure yellow, sand yellow, orange-yellow and green. The important thing is that the vests contain more than one reflective band (at least five centimeters thick) and that the fabric is sensitive to light. As for the measurements, these garments should be 60 centimeters long and 35 centimeters wide, with a reflectivity of 330 lux candles per square meter.
- Where can I buy this type of clothing?
Vests and bandoliers are sold in automotive businesses, as distributors and motorcycle parts stores. Another option is to visit a local specialized in work and construction clothes. In addition, there is a street sale of reflective vests (not so bandoliers) and, in online commerce sites such as “Free Market” and “OLX”, both garments can be achieved in different thicknesses of fabric and sizes (up to the XXL).
- Will there be a trial period for the resolution?
The municipal resolution that establishes the obligatory nature of the use of reflective vests (or bandoliers) for those who drive motorcycles, will be specified in stages and in a gradual manner. Starting today, with its implementation in the streets, a test phase will be carried out where the main objective is to inform drivers about the measure, call for attention to the offenders and allow motorcyclists to purchase vests.
- What happens if I do not live in San Miguel de Tucumán?
Regardless of the location or municipality of residence of the motorcyclist, the use of a reflective vest or shoulder strap is mandatory for drivers and companions who enter the capital of Tucumán. Even if they come driving from Yerba Buena or El Manantial, Banda del Río Salí or Tafí Viejo (Gran San Miguel). The residents of those cities that work or make arrangements in the city should buy their vests.
- What will be the penalties for motorcyclists?
For now, road controls will only focus on the area of awareness and driver prevention. Only in a second stage of the regulation will proceed to the realization of fines and the number of penalties will be set. The Undersecretary of Transit and Transportation clarified that the kidnapping of the motorcycles is not envisaged and that the inspections will be comprehensive, checking the use of helmet and lights as a compliment.
- What other rules apply to drivers?
Since June 2018 it is mandatory that, in the capital, drivers use low lights during the day. In addition, following another ordinance in force since this year, it is prohibited to park the car in front of schools and colleges. Finally, those who wish to obtain the driving license must complete a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course and present the certificate of background issued by the Police.
- How is the vehicular panorama in the province?
So far in 2019, according to data from the Undersecretary of Transit and Transportation, municipal workers issued 57,343 fines in the capital. To that are added 4,832 cars and 6,375 motorcycles that were sent to the municipal corralón. Last year, the number of hijacked motorcycles reached 10,973 vehicles, while cars totaled 4,684 in total during the year.
- Are there similar measures in other provinces?
The use of vests by motorcyclists is within the traffic regulations of Buenos Aires, San Juan, and Neuquén. The measure was also implemented in countries such as Mexico, Chile, and Ecuador. On the other hand, as far as automobiles are concerned, the safety kits also include vests so that in case the driver descends from the road due to an emergency, he can see 150 meters away.