Safe reflections

Only every tenth reflector meets the requirements - it results from the inspection of the Trade Inspection. Entrepreneurs and consumers do not distinguish them from gadgets that do not increase road safety. UOKiK, in cooperation with the Police, the Central Institute for Labor Protection and the Motor Transport Institute, has prepared special guides on safe reflections.

According to the statistics of the Prevention and Traffic Office of the General Police Headquarters, in 2014, 1,116 people lost their lives in cases involving pedestrians, and the most tragic was the effects of events in the undeveloped area, on unlit roads - every third person died. According to the regulations, all pedestrians moving along the road after dark outside the built-up area obliged to use reflective elements.

Conducted in the first quarter of this year the inspection of the Trade Inspection concerned the safety of reflectors available for sale throughout Poland. The reflectors tested for marking, reflective properties, resistance to falls and the effect of rain. Laboratory tests carried out by an accredited laboratory of the Motor Transport Institute.

The results of the inspection

The inspection revealed that entrepreneurs lacked basic knowledge about the requirements that refinements should meet (including the conformity assessment procedure appropriate for this product group). Offered reflective accessories also marked without due diligence.

UOKiK noted that the market dominated by gadgets that resemble glare, but should not be used by consumers as reflective accessories, because they do not meet the most important size requirements (minimum 15 cm2), reflective surface properties and resistance to maintain these properties, even in difficult weather conditions. Many of them sold with information suggesting that they are full-value reflective accessories, and wearing them increases the visibility of the user on the road.

IH inspectors checked 113 entrepreneurs (producers, importers, retailers, and large-surface stores.) Over 90% of 226 tested batches of products were questioned. Research in the ITS laboratory, which was subjected to 41 samples, showed that 41.5%. of them did not meet the photometric requirements - the light was not reflected sufficiently or the reflective surface was too small (according to the regulations, it should be at least 15 cm2). In 81 percent. the reservations were related to a user manual that was missing or incorrect. Other remarks referred to inadequate documentation and marking: a missing or incorrectly prepared EC type-examination certificate - 58%, EC declaration of conformity - 71% and CE marking - over 40 percent.

In the case of 156 products, the Provincial inspectors of the Trade Inspection enabled entrepreneurs to undertake voluntary corrective actions. They also issued 17 decisions temporarily forbidding access to reflections that did not meet the requirements and sent 13 notices of suspected offenses to law enforcement agencies. UOKiK has initiated 14 administrative proceedings so far to withdraw the disputed products from sale. In most cases, entrepreneurs have already taken voluntary corrective actions.

How to buy and use them correctly?

When buying a reflective vest, pay attention to whether the CE mark has been affixed to it, the name of the manufacturer and the type of the product and whether the instructions for use are included. The lack of these elements means that the product should not be used on the road - it is a gadget that only looks like a reflection.

The lower the reflector is located, the better the car's headlamps will illuminate it and the driver can see the pedestrian earlier. Therefore, the optimal height at which the user should wear a reflector is the height of the car headlight falling on it.

Make sure that the reflective materials worn are not covered with a scarf, bag or backpack.

When walking along the left side of the road (in the opposite direction to the movement of vehicles), it is best to wear reflections on the right hand or leg (from the direction of vehicle movement). When we move in the column, we should go the right side, then we should wear them on the left hand or leg (from the side of the vehicle movement).

In the case of elements permanently attached to clothing (especially sew on reflective tapes) periodically check that the reflective surface has not been wiped off, as a result of repeated washing or rubbing. If we notice that the reflective tape sewn on our clothing or backpack is worn, it should be replaced.

If the reflector is leaking and water gets into it (this applies to reflectors made of plastic and prismatic foils), replace it with a new one. The water inside the reflective surface causes the loss of reflective properties.

Bicycle outfit: we choose a T-shirt, pants and bike shoes

Bike outfit - why is it important?

Every lover of this sport should wear a bicycle outfit. A well-chosen sports outfit protects the body against harmful radiation or wind. Important in cycling clothing are reflective fabrics, thanks to which we are more visible to drivers, especially at night.

Suitable bicycle shoes should form part of the outfit. The choice of shoes will depend on the field of cycling. Shoes used for road cycling may differ in hardness from the shoes used by mountain bikers. Perfectly matched bike shoes should protect the foot and not cause painful abrasions or blisters on the feet.

Elements of bicycle outfit

The bicycle outfit consists of several elements. First of all, we should equip ourselves with several sports shirts, which we will put on ourselves during cold mornings. If the temperature during the day increases, we will be able to take them off gradually. A good idea is the use of reflective clothing that drains water vapor and sweat from the skin. Bicycle clothing should adhere to the body so as not to restrict movement, therefore it is not the best idea to choose a wide cotton sweatshirt.

Professional cyclists should wear a sweatshirt and a sports jacket, including a raincoat. When looking for pants for a bike, we will also find different types. From adjoining to thermally active or insulated. In summer, it is worth choosing short fitting shorts. If you travel a long distance on a bike, you should buy at least two pairs. Our feet should be protected not only by footwear but also longer bicycle socks, preferably from air-permeable material.

A protective helmet is sure to come in handy. When planning shopping, you should think about protecting yourself from the cold and stocking yourself with a neck scarf. Regardless of the season, bike gloves will be a good purchase - with stiffened but also flexible material.

Bicycle shoes

Bike shoes, like the outfit, should be skillfully chosen. Buying too big or too small shoes, in the hope that they will break up, is not a good idea. Bicycle shoes should fit, hold your foot and be comfortable. It is not worth saving on them.

Many cycling enthusiasts opt for SPD shoes, which are models adapted to be attached to SPD pedals (the mechanism connecting the shoe with the pedal), which in many cases can also be worn with classic pedals. Professional bicycle shoes have a hard sole that makes the ride easier, but it makes walking difficult, so if you only ride on a bike recreationally, and you want to use your shoes for other purposes, choose a sole with less hardness.

Trekking shoes with a thick, durable sole are good. The upper of the bike shoe should not be too high so as not to obstruct movements or cause abrasions. It is important that the material of the shoe is breathable, eg made of mesh in the front part of the shoe. Reflective materials on footwear will additionally affect our road safety.

Bike outfit - price

The price of a complete bicycle outfit may depend on the brand, material, and systems used in production. In the fall and winter season, we will dress warmer than in the spring and summer season, so we will pay more for the outfit. If we are just starting our adventure with a bike and we do not have a complete outfit, the whole thing can cost us even a thousand zlotys. However, it is not worth saving on individual items.

Elements of cycling outfit made of more durable material will be relatively more expensive, but they will also serve us longer. However, if we do not want to overpay, we can look for additives on stock exchanges or auctions.

MOTORCYCLE REFLECTIVE VEST: A CHEAP PROVISION IN SAFETY

In June this year, I had the pleasure of meeting some friends from Forum Skuterowo.com and have two rides. We moved at the edge of the right lane at around 50 km / h. Of course, we were overtaken. Unfortunately, the width of the roads and intensity in the traffic often prevented the single scooter from overtaking, let alone five. In particular, trucks under load were particularly difficult. Despite the fact that we were driving so that between us could enter the overtaking vehicle it sometimes took several kilometers to overtake our group. I realized that one of the most common threats for scooter users is overtaking other vehicles. Closing the whole group I compared how we are visible from the back.

Four out of five were dressed in dark or gray sweatshirts or windbreakers. One colleague put on a bright green jacket. Each of us mounted a different vehicle brand. During the ride, each of us had low beam lights turned on. We traveled quite a considerable distance along different routes, in variable road conditions and times of the day. I came to the conclusion that the rule about using dipped lights or driving during the day all day is one of the positive steps of our legislator. Even with good visibility, a black-scooter riding a dark-dressed colleague blended with the surroundings. His single bulb in the back lamp and white stripes on the helmet would be the only elements that could catch the eyes of the drivers of the approaching vehicles. We were least visible when driving through forests, shaded areas during rain and when it was cloudy. Effectively, scooters with a large rear lamp were distinguished in the above-mentioned conditions. The Kymco Vitality and Romet 717 rear lights were visible from far away and clearly, regardless of the conditions. The Piaggio Fly 50 and Router Sport 50 were worse. Other colors that influenced our safety were the colors of our vehicles and helmets. Gray and black scooter and the helmets of the same color blended with the surroundings. The red of two scooters and two helmets were elements that stood out and attracted attention in the environment. My Jaw is now over 30 years old. In its heyday, there was a completely different technique and other provisions were in force. In the rear lamp of my vehicle, there is one 5-watt incandescent light bulb. This moped was not equipped with a stop light. The front headlamp has a 15/15 watt bulb. These lights shine like torches with a draining battery. In addition, the rear lamp covers the trunk. Some of us are aware of the hazards that can meet us on the road and improve their visibility put on reflective vests, and one of us has a jacket with a flashy bright green color.

When it is necessary to repair the vehicle or perform other activities within the lane it is worth to be visible to other participants in road traffic.

I observed that they were the first element of a moving scooter observed from the rear. In addition, I felt more confident wearing a vest when my Jawek temporarily stunned on a fairly busy route without a shoulder. I was forced to set it on the edge of the lane and carry out repairs.

Following the forum, I see that many users use their scooters and mopeds for commuting, among others to work and overcome even 30 km one way. My suggestion is this. If your scooter is gray or black, you are wearing a dark riding suit, it is worth investing in a reflective vest. Your road safety will increase significantly. I also think that other road participants will also perceive a rider dressed in such armor as seriously treating participant traffic.

My next suggestion is that Skuterowo in the store will put on sale such a part of the scooter's wardrobe for sale. A vest of light green color, equipped with wide fluorescent stripes fastened with a zipper, because turnips cannot withstand gusts of wind. The vest should also include the logo of our forum, which I would gladly wear.

The police announce increased controls on the New Year's and New Year's roads

Similarly to Christmas, also on New Year's Eve and New Year's, the police will watch over the safety of the participants of the movement, striving to ensure that all those who set out for meetings and games reach their destination safely and return to their homes as safely.

The police remind us that if we decide to drink alcohol, we should remember that it is imperative to refrain from driving. In 2017, police carried out nearly 18 million checks revealing 109 405 drivers under the influence of alcohol. So people who break bans and drunks sit behind the wheel of the car, cannot feel unpunished. The probability of revealing such an act is large, and possibly very serious consequences.

Never choose a car as a driver for a party where you want to drink alcohol.

If you are hosting a party where alcohol is served, take care of the safe return of motorized guests.

Do not make fun of the non-drinkers and encourage them to drink toasts.   

If you are a passenger, never get in a car with a driver who has been drinking alcohol. Stop him so he does not drive the vehicle.

Being a pedestrian, apply the special precaution when crossing the road. Before leaving the house, attach a reflective tape to the clothes.

Protection against thermal risks from arcs

Mewa has new rental clothing that protects against the thermal effects of an electric interference light arc. This is the Dynamic Allround Arc collection.

The collection consists of reflective vests, pants, and dungarees. The new safety clothing has a double layered front.

Electrostatic charge

According to the supplier, the clothing offers protection against:

electrostatic charges according to EN 1149-5 (electrostatic properties, antistatic)

heat according to EN ISO 11611 and 11612

Interference light arches according to IEC 61482-1-2, class 2

Tip: Installation Journal has a free tool with which the arc energy can be calculated at a specified distance from the installation.

Meet the standard

The safety clothing is delivered, collected and washed after use. Mewa checks the garments for functionality. In this way, users can be sure that the clothing continues to meet the applicable standard even after washing.

Pockets and stripes

The clothing is equipped with many pockets for storing tools and with reflective tapes that ensure good visibility. The push buttons are concealed for absolute safety. The clothing is available in solid anthracite or two-tone in ultramarine/anthracite and navy blue/anthracite.

For a moment the Wadden beaches are clean, but new junk is on the way

Although the Wadden Islands now are clean, it is expected that a lot of debris will wash ashore again on Tuesday from the containers that went overboard last Tuesday night. The Dutch Safety Board is conducting an exploratory investigation into the accident.

At the moment, volunteers are no longer needed on the Wadden Islands, the Friesland Security Region says today. Only on Schiermonnikoog is a coordinated clean-up campaign ongoing. There, volunteers who wearing reflective vests stayed overnight after the clean-up actions of Saturday and soldiers today clean the last areas. The latter is on Schiermonnikoog because the beaches on the east side are difficult to reach.

Although most large junk has been removed from the beach, there still many small plastic particles and disintegrating polystyrene in the dunes. Various nature organizations are very concerned about the consequences of this for the environment. On Schiermonnikoog today a kind of vacuum cleaner crosses the beach that cleans up all the small plastic particles.

In the sea itself, fishermen have helped in recent days with cleaning up junk floating in the water. According to a spokesperson, not only small grits are picked up as shoes and toys, but also refrigerators and gasoline tanks for cars. The fishermen, about fifteen ships, also sail today and tomorrow to clean up. This is only possible in daylight because the sea is dangerous due to all the floating junk in poor visibility.

Although the beaches are currently stripped of toys, shoes, Ikea parts, and other washed-up debris, the municipalities are holding their ground because of the northwest wind and spring tide predicted for Tuesday. Probably a lot of rubble is washed up again. The mayors of the islands hope that afterward, volunteers will want to help again. For now, the security region warns against coming to the islands from Monday. Due to the predicted storm, it will be too dangerous.

For those who want to roll up their sleeves already, there is plenty to do on the mainland. Guides from the Wadloop Foundation, from Waddencentum Pieterburen and Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen, can still use the tidy coast along the entire Wadden coast. The guides are also volunteers, the organizations emphasize. They too must "row with the straps that they have."

On the Wadden coast, the items in the salt marshes can only be collected on foot and brought over the dikes. The area is too fragile to enter with tractors or carts. The organizations that coordinate clean-up campaigns urge volunteers to dress warmly. The Friesland Security Region emphasizes that it is wise for volunteers to join organizations and bodies that are knowledgeable. For your own safety - people have already been lost in cleaning up - but also to prevent more damage to nature in the Wadden area.

The junk that is now washing up on and around the Wadden Islands comes from at least 270 containers that fell from the MS Zoë container ship in the night of 1 to 2 January. Only a small part of the containers has already been recovered. The hazardous substance was peroxide in a number. Volunteers who see the white bags containing the stuff have to stay away and call 112.

The municipality of Vlieland and Rijkswaterstaat have made the shipping company of the container ship liable for the damage suffered. The Public Prosecution Service is investigating whether someone can be prosecuted under criminal law for the garbage dump that has arisen on and around the Wadden Sea area.

The Dutch Safety Board is in the German Bremerhaven, where the ship is docked, for an exploratory investigation. It is expected that during the week it will become clear whether the investigation into the accident should be done by the Dutch or by the German counterpart. This, for example, depends on whether the ship has lost its containers in Dutch or German waters.

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, the ship-owner who lost the containers, said on Saturday that it wants to pay all costs for the cleaning. The shipping company also promised to keep looking for lost containers until the last one was found.