January 25, 2017 year across the country, including in Lower Silesia, the first run was the “Day of the glare.” Police officers in safety vest from the traffic police conducted preventive measures for improving pedestrian safety. Officers handed unprotected road users glare. The idea of the project comes from Norway, where “Day reflective” is organized every year.
In Poland, the “Day of reflective” was held for the first time. It was organized within the project “Traffic Safety” financed by the Financial Mechanism of the European Economic Area 2009-2014 and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014 in the framework of the Bilateral Cooperation Fund at the national level in 2016.
Lower Silesia policemen are implementing preventive measures within the framework of the Day of glare, talking with pedestrians pointing out the importance of reflectors for their safety. The officers reminded about their advantages, they are improving visibility, especially after dark. Also passed unprotected road users reflective elements.
Statistics show that about 38% of all road accident victims in Poland are “vulnerable” road users. The dynamic development of the automotive industry in the last ten years is causing a steady increase in traffic. It should be noted that with the development of the automotive industry at the same time increases the risk of traffic safety. An extremely important issue in this regard is the safety of vulnerable road users, because it conducted the analysis indicate a significant share of this group, in particular pedestrians in road accidents.
According to regulations, each foot moving after dark on the road outside the built-up area is required to use reflective material elements. Please note that when confronted with a vehicle, a pedestrian is always at a disadvantage. It does not protect him after the bumper, bonnet or airbag.
It is worth recalling that after dark pedestrian, who is wearing a muted gray – black color and does not have to outerwear reflective elements, is seen by the driver of a vehicle with a distance of only about 40 meters. In contrast, a person walking, sporting “glare”, becoming visible even from a distance of over 150 meters. These additional meters allow the driver to brake safely and get around on foot. Certainly in winter, when night falls early and the weather conditions deteriorate, pedestrians on the roads are poorly visible, therefore the probability of being hit by a vehicle significantly increases.
The use of reflective elements in various forms whether, pendants, tie, vest or shopping bags with reflective elements, increase the chance of a pedestrian to avoid deductions during poor visibility. Properly worn reflectors should be placed in a location so that they are in the action and headlights were visible vehicular approaching from both directions.
Cost of equipment with reflective vest are marginal costs and do not constitute an obstacle preventing its acquisition by the average user of roads. Whereas the costs of treating accident victims, is not counting the material losses are disproportionately higher and difficult to quantify.