At night, athletes play safety

With the changeover to winter time, the night falls earlier and the number of road accidents is doubled compared to the rest of the year. In Saint-L, sports associations redouble their cautiousness when it comes time to go out to work in the early evening.

Every year, the switch to winter time causes a peak of a road accident, with an increase of nearly 50% of pedestrian and bicycle accidents due to the decrease in brightness from 17 pm. Athletes, who usually train after their day's work, are the first to be involved.

In Saint-L, sports associations are working hard to ensure the safety of their licensees. This is the case, in particular, the boxing-club saint-laws. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, between 40 and 50 members warm up in the streets of the city center, on a course that can range from 5 to 12 km. "The group is asked to wear a reflective vest and to equip headlamps," says Jacky Adam, one of two coaches who coach amateur boxers.

But this is not enough. Crossing at crosswalks, making sure that the car stops completely, preventing traffic until the last is mounted on the sidewalk ... are part of the rules of good practice imposed by the coach of the club. "We try to do the maximum in terms of safety. However, Jacky Adam is not fooled. "We are safe from nothing. It is enough that a person does not listen to the instructions or be a little distracted ... It can happen. "

A call to order

Vigilance is appropriate and all the more reinforced after the tragic accident occurred Thursday, November 8, 2018, rue DE Originator, Saint-L. A 48-year-old man was hit by a car while jogging around 7:00 pm. The driver, aged 70, would not have seen the rider arrive in the night. The St. Lois, unfortunately, died as a result of his injuries.

This father was particularly well known at Sade Saint-Lois Athletics. Even if he was not fired at the club, the rider had already had the opportunity, on several occasions, to exchange around the practice with other fans of the association. "We are all dismayed by what happened and we think very strongly about him and his family," said Gerard Roses, coach of seniors and middle distance veterans at the track and field club.

An accident that sounds like a call to order. "We always say that we are seen by motorists, but that's wrong. During the winter months, the coach voluntarily adapted his warm-up sessions. The group of fifteen athletes, aged between 19 and 55, whom he coaches three times a week, follows a route that avoids, as much as possible, the main thoroughfares. And when it is not possible to do otherwise, the trainer, keen on running and cycling, used to travel at night on his two-wheeler, makes sure to take "all necessary precautions".

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 of them were not motorized - it's pedestrians or cyclists. Especially in autumn and winter, this statistic can be improved, taking care of its visibility.

There is a mistaken belief that only after passing the driving test we become participants in the road traffic. After all, drivers and motorcyclists have to 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!

Art. 2. The terms used in the Act shall mean:

17) 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 him as a "person" outside the vehicle on the road and not carrying out works or activities stipulated by separate regulations, and also a person driving, pulling or pushing a bicycle, moped, motorcycle, pram, 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 rollerblading.

The entire second chapter of the Act applies to pedestrian traffic. The set of principles contained in it is aimed at maintaining 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 do not have to do this, going to the roads or sidewalks, 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:

4a. Pedestrian moving along the road after dark outside the built-up area is obliged to use reflective materials in a visible way for other road users unless it moves on a road intended only for pedestrians or on the sidewalk.

The law requires the wearing of reflective tapes or reflective vests outside built-up areas, but there is no doubt that using them on any road can save a life. The cheapest enchains 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.

Experience firefighters or rescuers, run a competition

Desk Nickname - A sports knowledge event with volunteer firefighters for children from the age of 12 will take place at the Children's and Youth Center in České Nickname.

Competitors will be able to test the work of the Integrated Rescue System components in the field. This will be a physically challenging competition, wherein this form the candidates can learn the knowledge and knowledge of the IRS components. Contests will be in groups with adult escorts in all weather, the necessity of quality shoes, reflective clothing, reflective tapes, and flashlight. Action Firefighters in the snow will take place on Friday, March 1, from 5 pm to 3 pm at the Children's and Youth Center. The entry fee is 30 crowns.