Rapid steps are coming to resume school, which also means that the days will become shorter and many students will have to travel home in the twilight or the dark.
Therefore, the use of reflectors to allow drivers to spot small pedestrians on poorly lit roads becomes particularly topical. A public survey conducted by the insurance company BALTA (PZU Group) shows that while the understanding of the use of reflectors is good, only 50% of parents admit that their children always use reflectors.
In general, almost all or 97% of respondents admit that it is important for them to have a reflector.
In reality, the situation is different: only half of the parents are convinced that children always use reflectors in the dark, and another 38% know that reflectors are used at least sometimes. At the same time, 7% of parents admit that they do not know if their children are using reflectors.
Are you sure your child is seen in the dark?
Yes, all bags, clothes have reflective fabrics. If it disappears, I buy a new one right away.
I’m pretty sure the baby has a reflector.
The reasons why children do not use reflectors are different. Although the use of reflectors is considered important by parents, almost half, or 47% of the respondents who admit that children do not use the reflector, indicate that their offspring do not travel the road where they think the reflector should be used. but almost a tenth of children do not use it because it does not look stylish to them.
“Whatever parents may think about when a reflector is needed or not, the gruesome accident statistics on Latvian roads suggest that it should become an integral accessory to a child’s clothing, regardless of where they live or their daily routine. One reason is that a reflector can save lives. Unfortunately, the experience of BALTA shows that every year we receive dozens of compensation claims for injuries caused because a pedestrian or a cyclist has not been noticed promptly,” says Ludmila Szczegolev, BALTA Product Manager, emphasizing that the use of reflectors is equally important within and outside cities.
Pedestrians should note that the car is only dimmed from 25 to 40 meters in the dipped beam and 150 meters from the main beam.
Therefore, road traffic regulations make it mandatory for pedestrians to wear reflectors, or better reflective jackets, or clothing with reflective material, both in built-up areas and on the non-lighted road or street sections in populated areas.
“Being aware of the importance of safety, many manufacturers have taken good care of incorporating reflective elements into children’s clothing, shoes, and backpacks. When making a shopping choice, parents are advised to choose just such items and not be shy to bring additional reflectors to the child – at the backpack, around the arm, at the jacket. One of the worst reasons why children don’t use reflectors is that it’s not stylish. We want to dispel this notion, so in the run-up to the new school year, we have launched a campaign called “Radiate Optimism” to remind parents once again how important this little accessory can be to the safety of their child.
For anyone who purchases at least $ 25 at Zvaigzne ABC bookstores or WHITE child accident insurance, we offer a stylish reflector as a gift,” says L. Szczegolev, wishing children and parents a safe start to school.
In anticipation of the start of school, BALTA encourages parents to re-discuss with children the principles of safe behavior – proper street and road crossing, proper pedestrian behavior and the need for reflectors.