In the winter months, drivers can easily get into unpleasant situations due to vehicle breakdown, skidding or traffic accidents. Do you know how to behave in the event that the ride cannot continue? Who should wear a reflective vest and do you just need to carry one? And is it better to stay in the car or get off?
If your car breaks down, try to drive it as close as possible to the roadside, especially if this happens outside the city or on the highway. Switch off the engine and switch on the hazard warning lights. Keep your reflective vest at your fingertips and get out in the reflective vest on the right side of the car. Now it's time to place the warning triangle. Place it at the edge of the road so that it is visible and clearly visible to the arriving driver at least 50 m away (in the village this distance may be shorter if required), at least 100 m behind the vehicle on the motorway. Then go to a safe distance from the car and call for assistance.
In the event of a traffic accident, if none of the participants are involved and there is no need to call the ambulance or the police, follow the same procedure as in the case of a breakdown. Turn on the hazard warning lights if the accident happened outside the village - put on a reflective vest, and then place the warning triangle.
Remember to document the situation for the insurance company and agree on the fault. It is advisable to have everything in writing, preferably through the "European Accident Record" form. If you cannot agree on the fault, it will be better to call the police for an accident. In case of injury to one of the car accident participants, do not forget to provide first aid, rescue service and police. Then follow their instructions for further steps.
If you cannot continue driving and have your car parked at the side of the road outside the town or even on the motorway, always get out of the car and take a safe distance. "Overcome the crash barrier or embankment and move away from the car until assistance comes. Never stay in the car and leave little children in it. One of the passing drivers can easily overlook and break down a car parked at the shoulder," says Olga Boučková.
"The use of a reflective vest with reflective tape is only mandatory for drivers in the Czech Republic. However, it should be remembered that pedestrians suddenly become pedestrians from the rest of the crew, who are also required to be reflective elements outside the village. In this case, it may be useful to have a vest for each crew member," recommends Olga Boučková.
Attention! Although the law does not impose the obligation to carry reflective vests inside the car, even since they are not compulsory since last year, the driver is obliged to use the reflective clothing whenever he exits the car during an emergency stand and moves on the road outside the village. So if you are driving out of town, always carry a reflective vest with you.
