It is impossible to tell how many people wearing a reflective vest saved their lives. Most often, millions of wise pedestrians are mentioned, who from the accident saved the reflecting “guardian angel”. Why are the reflections so important? As explained by PZU experts, with poor visibility, no reflective materials, the pedestrian is visible on the road in the car’s passing lights from a distance of only 20-30 meters. At a speed of 90 km / h, the driver overcomes 25 meters per second and may not be able to react when he sees a pedestrian. However, if the pedestrian is equipped with a reflective element that reflects the lights of the car, the driver will notice it already from a distance of 130-150 meters, which is much faster. It can save a living life. “If we are visible on the road, we become much more secure. Just pin the reflection to the school backpack or put on your hand. Such a small thing – a reflection, in certain situations may prove invaluable and protect a child from an accident,” explains Dorota Macieja, a member of the PZU Życie Management Board.
For years, various institutions have been trying to convince pedestrians to wear reflective elements.
On January 25th, the “Reflex Day” is celebrated. Its originators are Norwegians, and since 2017 it is celebrated in Poland. The primary objective of the campaign is to promote the use of reflective elements with reflective tapes, especially by pedestrians. The PZU is also encouraged to wear the reflections of the youngest road users. As part of the “Reflective – safe child on the road” campaign, by the middle of September, she will provide 1.6 million reflections with a flashing light built-in to all primary school students from grades I-III in Poland. The campaign was under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of National Education.