The DGT wants to replace the emergency triangles with light signals

 

Portable danger signaling devices, better known as emergency triangles, are part of the elements that must be carried in the car. This is indicated in the General Vehicle Regulations. The basic function of this accessory is to notify other motorists of the presence of a vehicle stopped on the road for having suffered an accident, such as a breakdown or any other emergency.

 

Although it is an element that seeks to improve road safety, it can sometimes have the opposite effect, since it forces the driver to leave the car to go to the required distance: on two-way roads, you have to put one in front and one behind, at least 50 meters away and so that they are visible at 100 meters; on motorways and expressways only one is necessary, also 50 meters behind the vehicle, since on these roads the two-way roads are separated by a median.

 

Even though the driver must put on a reflective vest to be seen when leaving the vehicle to avoid collisions, sometimes this measure is not enough and ends up having a fatal outcome. The deputy director of circulation of the General Directorate of Traffic, Ana Blanco, explained to Europa Press after participating in a round table at the Motortec Automechanika Fair, that is 2018 “more than 20 people died on motorways and expressways as a result of this type of outrages ”. According to official traffic data, last year the death toll on motorways increased from 208 to 303, of which 20% were pedestrians.

 

To end the danger that comes with people having to place the triangles on the road, the DGT plans to replace this fault or accident pre-signaling element with light signals that would be placed on the roof of the vehicle, the most visible place of it. The change will not be immediate but is expected to arrive in 2025. During this time, the triangle would be gradually replaced by another means of light signaling. Currently, the regulation only recommends the use of a light device as an optional element.

 

The regulatory project would reform the aspects of how the user should behave in the event of a breakdown or a request for help after an accident. If we are forced to stop the vehicle on the road due to a mechanical incident, after activating the warnings, all the occupants must abandon it safely and move to a protected place (for example, behind the guardrail). We should never walk in the traffic lane to go to place the triangles. We must walk through the place that offers us the greatest security. Once we reach the appropriate distance, we will place the pre-signaling element when traffic permits. Then we will only have to wait for the arrival of the technical assistance service.

5 News from machine safety

 

A guided safety acceptance test, an assistance system for mobile machines, a new emergency stop switch as well as an economical protective door system, and sensorless standstill detection, are the safety news from January that we would like to present to you.

 

Guided safety acceptance test for Sinamics frequency converters

With the Sinamics Startdrive commissioning software, Siemens supports machine builders in validating the safety functions of Sinamics frequency converters with a guided acceptance test. With Sinamics Stardrive, Siemens offers a tool for integrating drive hardware into the TIA Portal engineering framework. The guided acceptance test of the safety functions contained therein is available for the frequency converters of the Sinamics G and S series and complies with EN ISO 13849-2 and IEC 62061.

 

The safety acceptance test is characterized by very simple user guidance. An assistant guides the user step by step through the acceptance process and checks whether the safety functions have been correctly parameterized and are being carried out correctly in the respective application. A standard-compliant acceptance report is then automatically created for the documentation. With the safety acceptance test integrated into Sinamics Stardrive, Siemens supports machine builders in performing the legally required validation of the safety functions simply and safely.

 

Safety system for mobile machines

A new driver assistance system from IFM for mobile work machines is based on the mobile 3D camera O3M, which uses the PMD time-of-flight method to determine the distance to a person in the camera's field of view. The active obstacle detection monitors up to 6 danger zones behind the vehicle and warns the driver at an early stage of impending collisions. The warning is given optically and acoustically. Also, the warning is displayed on a 7 "monitor installed in the cockpit. The system also detects reflective materials, for example on safety vests, earlier than that of objects.

 

New emergency stop switch with LED status display

With large machines and systems, there are usually many protective doors that have to be secured. In addition to monitoring these protective doors, each machine must also be protected with one or more emergency stop devices by the Machinery Directive. For cost reasons, the safety door monitoring and the emergency stop function is conventionally wired in series but still separated from one another, so that several safety relays are required. With the Smart Safety System from Bernstein, this complex wiring is a thing of the past.

 

In addition to the safety sensors SRF (Safety RFID) for monitoring the protective doors, the emergency stop devices SEU (Safety Emergency Unit) can also be wired in the same safety circuit. Thanks to the patented Daisy Chain Diagnostic System (DCD), extensive diagnostic data for each connected device can be evaluated, for example via Ethernet. With the new illuminated emergency stop SEU, this data can no longer only be visualized on an HMI ( Human-Machine Interface ), but is now also quickly visible directly on the device thanks to the large LED status display.

 

Safe monitoring of movable guards

The new protective door system PSENmech with guard locking from Pilz offers an economical basic solution for the safe monitoring of movable guards. The protective door system with head section and 3D actuator made of metal is insensitive to water, dirt, and dust. With it, the safety door is securely locked until the machine or system is stopped. An unintentional restart of the dangerous movement is thus prevented. Also, PSENmech with guard locking can be supplemented with an escape release and emergency release, which makes it ideal for use on accessible doors. The protective door system PSENmech with guard locking is suitable for personal and process protection in numerous industries. The choice between different actuators and several actuation entry directions also makes installation quick, easy, and flexible for the user. The protective door system thus ensures high availability.

 

Sensorless standstill detection of drives

 

If dangerous overtravel movements are to be expected on a machine or system, a combination of a safety locking device (on the protective door) and a standstill monitor (in the control cabinet) for the necessary security. With the SSW303HV, the Schmersal Group is now introducing a new sensorless standstill monitor that offers significant improvements compared to the previous models in the AZR and FWS series. The new device replaces fourteen variants of the previous product range. This is made possible, among other things, by the use of a wide-range power supply unit for all common operating voltages from 24 VDC / 24 VAC to 230 VAC. The increased temperature range from -25 to 55 ° C opens up additional areas of application. Another advantage is the compact design: The SSW303HV only takes up 45 mm width in the control cabinet. The pluggable and coded connection terminals create the prerequisites for quick and error-free installation. An additional signal contact provides information about the error status of the block.

Older e-bike riders have a higher risk

 

Stuttgart electric bicycles are an attractive option for many older people to stay mobile. But you should be particularly careful when entering - because your risk of accidents is higher than with others.

 

According to the expert organization Dekra, older users of electric bicycles have a particularly high risk of serious falls. The reasons are that seniors have often not been on a normal bicycle for a long time and consequently they lack exercise. Also, the acceleration performance of bicycles with electric motor assistance is often underestimated, and not only by seniors explains Dekra accident researcher Luigi Ancona.

 

Also, there are declining abilities in eyesight, sense of balance, and ability to react. Also, older cyclists injured themselves more quickly and, above all, more severely than younger ones.

 

In general, but all the more important for older pedelec riders, it is to ride with foresight and consideration and wear a helmet. Reflective clothing or a high visibility vest will help other people see you in the dark.

 

Sales of e-bikes have been growing for years and, according to industry information, increased again during the corona pandemic. One possible explanation is that many people - including older people - use it as an alternative to bus and train in times of Sars-CoV-2 because of the lower risk of infection.

 

According to the Federal Statistical Office, 72 percent of the pedelec drivers killed in road traffic in 2019 were 65 years of age or older.

The comfortable, visible, and funny two-wheeler

 

In the Grenoble region, the brand of visible and comfortable equipment, imagined by Delphine Chartron five years ago, is already well known. The promise: safety equipment, visible, suitable for cycling, and always a touch of humor.

 

Originally an engineer in the environment and energy sector, Delphine Chartron had the idea a few years ago to create a yellow vest more suited to cycling. Less hot, more ergonomic, adjustable… she learned to sew to create her prototype.

 

"I was not programmed to undertake. But the first crowdfunding worked so well that I no longer had a choice". This is how Vasimimile was created.

 

Delphine Chartron's proposal comes in a range of products, adults or children, the best known of which are reflective vests with adjustable size. "More and more people cycle to work and need a backpack. However, the vest is hidden by the bag. Being able to adjust it allows you to put the vest over. And when we have no more bags, we adjust the vest so that it is more adjusted. It's much more comfortable than riding a bike with equipment that has a strong wind resistance".

 

The range also offers reflective Iroquois crests to be attached to helmets, or belts. "Everything is not fluorescent. Sometimes there are reasons. But they are reflective at night, to ensure they are well seen."

 

The one who says she is more comfortable with product creation than with marketing is not left out when it comes to catchy slogans. This is how his vests are crossed out with currencies, such as "the only chain that frees us".

 

The Covid-19 crisis did not spare the designer who resumed her activity last June. "In general the months of July and August are not the best, but this year there has been a form of catching up. I am aware that I am in the right niche, at the right time, because today, cycling and made in France are strongly encouraged".

 

Because obviously, Vasimimile equipment is stamped "made in France". The young entrepreneur, making a point of honor to responsible manufacturing, has part of her production carried out by an integration workshop.

 

Soon, Vasimimile should set up a partnership with the Cyclable shops, and develop partnerships with certain local institutions.

 

The range should also evolve, to be more suited to rain and cold, but also to meet the expectations of mountain bikers and trailers. "Their constraints are higher. And we must be able to put into production without too many seams, so as not to increase the cost of manufacture. It is imperative to be able to remain in the made in France."

Attention driver! It's slippery on the roads!

 Police urge drivers to be careful. The road surface may turn into an "ice rink". It can cause falling snow or freezing rain. Even though the road services will be on standby, we should be especially careful.

 

These conditions can be extremely troublesome in the evening and the morning. The speed limit signs on the road refer to good weather conditions. In the case of their deterioration, the speed should also be reduced.

 

A dangerous collision with the protective barrier occurred yesterday around 4 p.m. on the S7 road near Kazimierzów near Lublin. And exactly before the first exit to Elbląg West. The lane towards Warsaw was blocked. The 33-year-old, driving in a Ford, did not control the car and crashed into the protective barrier. The driver was fined. The incident caused traffic difficulties. The policemen call for adjusting the driving speed to the prevailing and changing conditions.

 

We also urge pedestrians to put on reflective elements. A reflective vest, a key ring, a wristband, or even an ordinary flashlight will make them more visible to the oncoming driver when driving on a dimly lit road.

The Poviat Police Headquarters prepared free reflectors for the residents

 

To improve the safety of residents, the County Police Headquarters in Szamotuły prepared several hundred reflectors and reflective vests for them.

 

"Every year, conducting preventive activities, police officers, thanks to cooperation with local governments, provided residents with reflective elements, e.g. during festivals or meetings with seniors or with school students. The prevailing epidemic limits our possibilities in this regard. To avoid spreading the virus, no meetings with senior groups are organized and students go through distance learning. However, to have a positive impact on improving the safety of the inhabitants of our poviat, thanks to cooperation with local governments, we managed to prepare reflectors and reflective vests, which we can pass on to the residents," informs the young asp. Sandra Chuda.

 

The materials are available in the waiting room of the County Police Headquarters in Szamotuły. So you can pick them up when visiting the headquarters. Reflectors will be available while stocks last.

 

The police in Szamotuły reminds that under Art. 11 of the Road Traffic Act, pedestrians walking outside the built-up area after dusk is obliged to use reflective elements in a manner visible to other road users. For your safety, it is also worth wearing reflectors when moving around the city or the countryside. We encourage you to use reflectors always, and not only in a situation where there is a fine for their absence. Thanks to this, we give the driver a better chance to notice us in time and thus improve our road safety.

Young entrepreneurs from Hamburg produce reflective rucksacks and bags

 

Jacob Leffers and Emil Woermann from Hamburg belong to a new, young generation of entrepreneurs in Germany. They are 20 and 19 years old and are on the road to success with a great idea. They have developed backpacks that glow in the dark - because they found safety vests somehow uncool.

 

They seem to have hit a nerve because the backpacks are almost torn out of their hands. They have now rented a factory floor in Eimsbüttel. They collected the money for their start-up "OAK25" via the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Production takes place in China.