Month: March 2018

Morocco: reflective vests for young bikers

Marana is organizing a concert in Bordeaux to support a security operation. Marana 33 aims to raise funds to build and maintain a medical home in Tanana, a small Moroccan town at the foot of the Atlas. The association chaired by Abdu Salaam has partnered with NSA (North South Actions) which carries out targeted actions on identified needs in rural areas.

 

These two associations are organizing this Friday at 8:30 pm, at the Espace DS in Bordeaux, a concert of Berber songs, rap with oriental dances. Among the main artists expected will come with other singers from the Tanana region. Young local talent will join the scene too.

 

Mohammed, president of NSA, explains that the current action carried out by his association is to provide the Moroccan population with fluorescent vests and lamps allowing two-wheelers to be visible at night. Since, he says, one of the favorite “sports”, especially among young people, is to circulate without light, which makes Morocco one of the most accident organic countries in the world. The material collected will be distributed primarily in the Tanana region.

 

All the benefits of this evening will be entirely donated to the nursing home and the purchase of fluorescent equipment. Espace DS, 17 rue Faure. Admission: 20 Euros and it is not forbidden to donate a reflective vest.

 

Safety Equipment: ten new features to secure your safety

What is new on the side of personal protective equipment (PPE)? Shoes, helmets, ventilators or noise protection, the manufacturers have drawn in the new technologies with a marked concern to ensure.

 

Honeywell: safety shoes

With Energy and Synergic, Honeywell is launching a new range of two protective footwear for professionals working in harsh environments, including construction sites. This new range has been designed in full grain leather that gives the footwear resistance to wear in wet and soiled environments. The lining keeps the feet dry and absorbs perspiration, while the polyurethane coated protective toe is abrasion resistant. These shoes are also designed to facilitate the evacuation of liquids. Side resistance again, they have reinforced seams on the quarters and on the upper parts. A gusseted tongue reinforces protection while an ergonomic and padded collar ensures comfort in all positions. Precision, the range complies with the requirements of the applicable standard for safety shoes. Finally, both models are adorned with a reflective piping at the heel and on the sides.

 

Dunlop Protective Footwear: safety boot

Dunlop Protective Footwear won the “if Design Award” for a safety boot dubbed Dunlop Reliance, a label that testifies to the quality of its design. This boot, which combines aesthetics and protection, is born from the association of two brands that have brought each of the specific technologies: Uproot, a specific material signed Dunlop, gives it its lightness and ensures its thermal insulation down to -20 ° C ; and Viral XS Work, an extremely non-slip sole. Reliance offers the protection of a boot and the comfort of a shoe. Precision, it has a reflective material protective cap and a steel midsole that allows it to meet the most stringent safety standards without yielding to elegance. Equipped with pull-tabs, Reliance goes up to the calf and knee high under the name Dunlop Expander.

The DH tested a reflective material spray

The IBSR and the DH have tested the new self-reflective bombs and come to the same conclusions. Recently available on the net or in specialized stores, reflective material spray bombs have not yet invaded our cities. The Belgian Institute for Road Safety (BRSI) has conducted a study to determine the effectiveness of these products. The DH also performed tests.

 

To be effective, retro reflective paints must be visible when illuminated and otherwise invisible. “They can then become an alternative to fluorescent vests, considered impractical or cumbersome by some. Inversely, if they do not give the expected results, low users could have a false sense of security,” says the IBSR. As part of this survey, the BRSI tested paint samples on fabrics commonly worn outdoors and on building materials; and this in different weather conditions. At DH, we tested the textile bomb and checked its effectiveness on cotton in the dark.

 

“In view of the results obtained, the IBSR can not recommend the use of this type of retro reflective paint as an alternative to high visibility clothing. Although invisible paint, when properly applied, can improve the ability to be seen, the gain is much lower than that of traditional fluorescent jackets,” concludes the specialized institute.

 

First, the reflective effects are only noticeable at a distance of several meters. The spray is not very visible at three meters. Second, the product is certainly washable but is highly toxic and polluting, which is stated on the packaging. Third, to see the effect of the product, the packaging accurately makes a photo with flash. However, in our tests, we noted that the spray reflects much more flashlight than that of car headlights. Finally, the price of a bomb varies between 15 and 25 Euros depending on the volume (100 ml or 200 ml).

 

“If a properly approved garment is not available, the invisible retro reflective paint may be a good way to increase its visibility, but the user must be aware of its limited effect,” advises the BRSI. He welcomes the initiative and sees potential in this type of products.

 

 

Street art works stolen by fake municipal agents

The City of Paris will file a lawsuit against X for usurpation of function and damage to the image of the city against a group of thieves who is currently attacking frescoes of street art in the streets of the capital. They pretend to be municipal agents with wearing reflective vest.

The City of Paris has decided to file a complaint against X for usurpation of function and damage to the image of the city against a group of thieves who is currently attacking frescoes of street art in the streets of the capital city. These frescoes called “invader,” the name of the artist who poses them, are now part of the Parisian heritage. These are small critters made from mosaic tiles or tiles. Crossed in the corners, at the corner of the boulevards and avenues or hidden in the alleys, they are multicolored or in black and white.

 

In yellow vest, equipped with a ladder

While the artist Invader is a regular at discretion – he lays his frescoes at night and often masked – the thieves currently raging do not take as much precaution. They act in daylight, with a fluorescent yellow vest on the back, at the top of a ladder, with orange pads around the stage, to give the impression that a technical intervention is underway. Moreover, for good reason, they do not hesitate to explain to who wants them to intervene on behalf of the city hall of Paris.

Why pedestrians are in danger when changing to wintertime

Every year, changing to wintertime causes a peak in road accident. Pedestrians and cyclists are the most concerned about the road safety.

 

The transition to wintertime does not only have the effect of saving energy. Indeed, each year this translates into an increase in road accidents, especially for pedestrians. Road Safety reports an increase of 5.9% between November and October, for this category alone between 2012 and 2016. Pedestrian mortality is 43% of the annual total between October and January, over these years.

 

These accidents are explained by a nightfall that occurs earlier, and starts during peak hours. During the time slot from 17h to 19h, the increase in accidents amounts to 47%! According to the National Observatory of Road Safety, this surplus of accidents is “a consequence of reduced lighting time, pedestrians without reflective vest are hardly perceived by other users, while they feel to be seen.

 

The risk also applies to other so-called vulnerable users, such as cyclists. For this last category is added another factor, that of reflectors and lights not necessarily in good working order, after journeys in broad daylight where they proved useless.

 

In addition to checking the equipment, the Road Safety advises to wear clear clothing, or even with reflective strips. This led some thirty prefectures, and representatives of the association of insurers Area to distribute free 60,000 kits of visibility, including a yellow reflective vest, a matching backpack and a reflective bracelet. An operation called “Well Seen Together” and which is supported by Nelson Montfort.

 

All you need to know about mandatory vests and triangles

From Wednesday, any car not equipped with fluorescent vest and pre-signaling triangle is liable to a fine of at least 90 Euros. Remainder you about the main provisions of this new security measure.

 

How many vest and triangle should one have on board? A reflective vest and a pre-signaling triangle must have been in each vehicle since July 1st. However, the Minister of Ecology, in charge of road safety, Jean-Louis Borolo had granted a deadline until Wednesday so that motorists can equip themselves “in the best conditions.” From 1 October, the police will report any driver who does not have the two objects on board his car.

 

Should the safety vest be visible under all circumstances? The driver must wear the retro-reflective vest before he leaves his vehicle. But it is not mandatory to drape the vest on the front passenger seat. The jacket should only be easily accessible, storing it in the glove compartment, or under a seat is sufficient. Where the triangle should be placed? The triangle must be on board the vehicle, bestowed in the cockpit and not in the trunk of the car, and be placed on the road, as soon as the driver leaves his vehicle, at a distance of at least 30 meters from the vehicle. Hazard warning lights remain mandatory when the car is equipped with them.

 

Where can we buy them? The kit is in supermarkets, in the centers autos (attention these are sometimes out of stock), in the markets as in the Paris metro. Prices can vary from single to triple, from 6.50 € in hypermarket to 20 € in the corridors of public transport of the capital. To comply with European legislation, the vest must be marked “CE” and the triangle marked “E27R.” In case of infringement, what is the risk? The offending motorist incurs a fine of 135 Euros. The amount of the fine can be reduced to 90 Euros if it is paid on the spot or within three days after the verbalization.

 

What is the legislation for both wheels? Bikers and scooter drivers are exempted from wearing the vest under any circumstances. The jacket is recommended but not mandatory for cyclists traveling in town. On the other hand, wearing the reflective vest is imposed on cyclists, pilots and passengers, who ride out of town in poor visibility conditions (rain, fog) or during the night. In case of forgetfulness, the pedal will have to pay a fine of 35 Euros (22 Euros if one pays in less than two weeks).

Wearing reflective vests: zero tolerance in the evening

For the past week, members of the Traffic Enforcement Squad have been conducting a zero-tolerance campaign against motorcyclists who do not wear reflective vests during the evening.

 

The police use the strong way against motorcyclists who do not wear reflective vests at night. In recent days, elements assigned to the Traffic Branch and the Traffic Enforcement Squad is present at various points of the country after dark. Their duties include “severely sanctioning” motorcyclists for non-wearing reflective vest, driving without lights, or without proper lanterns, or defective.

 

A senior police officer close to the file explains, “This long-term operation aims to make motorcyclists aware of the importance of wearing reflective vests during the evening. There are many serious accidents involving motorcycles that occur during the night and this is due to the lack of visibility of motorcyclists. The latter often tend not to wear reflective safety vests as required by law.

 

At the police press cell, Inspector Shiva confirms the implementation of the zero tolerance operation. He states that a list of the areas where the police will be present has already been drawn up. The targeted regions are Port Louis, Cassville, Flick and various northern regions, according to overlap.

 

“Two-wheelers are reckless and sometimes tend to underestimate the risks when they hit the road. Any collision involving motorcycles can be fatal. The idea behind the repression is to remember that the wearing of the vest is primarily important for the safety of the motorcyclist, “says Barley, author of the Complete Driver’s Guide.

 

Daniel Raymond, a special advisor on road safety at the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, points out that “repression is the most direct way of tackling the non-wearing of reflective vests by some motorcyclists. Wearing a vest has no social or economic constraint. It is just a question of road safety. Currently, the road looks like a jungle because each user does what he wants. For now, we must use the strong method because we do not have much choice. It will be a long-term plan.”