Month: December 2020

Be safe on the road – wear reflectors

The safety of pedestrians on the road, especially outside built-up areas, depends on their good visibility. For many years, policemen have been talking about the importance of the role of reflective elements in increasing the visibility of pedestrians and cyclists. Good visibility is one of the most important safety factors in road traffic.

 

We remind:

 

  1. In times of poor visibility, when a pedestrian is wearing gray and black clothes and does not have any reflective tapes on his outer clothing, the driver notices him with a considerable delay.

 

  1. Remember that in the dark, a pedestrian can see the car’s headlights even from a distance of several kilometers, but the driver will notice it only when he notices the silhouette of a person within the car’s headlights.

 

  1. In the dark, without reflective elements, we are visible in the dipped headlights from a distance of only 20 – 30 meters. If the driver is driving at a speed of 90 km / h, it covers 25 meters of the road in 1 second and there is no chance of any reaction when he notices a pedestrian on his way.

 

  1. However, if a pedestrian is equipped with a reflective element, reflecting the car’s lights, the driver will notice it already from a distance of 130-150 meters, which is about 5-10 times faster! This can save a pedestrian’s life.

 

  1. The widespread use of reflective elements in various forms – pendants, bands, vests, bright umbrellas, will significantly increase the chance of a pedestrian to avoid being hit in conditions of poor visibility, even if he makes a mistake, for example, he moves on the wrong side of the road.

 

  1. Properly worn reflectors should be placed in such a place that they are within the field of operation of the car headlights and are noticeable to drivers coming from both directions (back and front).

 

The regulations impose the obligation to use reflective elements after dark, outside built-up areas, but it is also worth using them in the city and during the day. Reflectors allow drivers to see a pedestrian from over 100 meters. This will give them the necessary time to maneuver and behave on the road. Because a visible pedestrian is a safe pedestrian.

The panoply for safe night running

In mid-autumn, the sun sets earlier and earlier and night falls faster. Some people, often the most motivated, still go out to train despite the darkness. This is remarkable, but it is necessary to get out equipped to run safely.

Reflective jacket, headlamp, safety armband,…? What equipment to take on a night outing? Here are our tips on what to take on a night out and how to run safely.

When you run at night, you must be seen by other users of the public space: pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, or even motorists, especially in unlit places.

For this, it is necessary to equip yourself with clothing composed of reflective strips, especially on your last layer.

Here is an example of a jacket you could wear: The  Brooks Carbonite Jacket, the runner’s yellow vest.

The panoply for safe night running

In mid-autumn, the sun sets earlier and earlier and night falls faster. Some people, often the most motivated, still go out to train despite the darkness. This is remarkable, but it is necessary to get out equipped to run safely.

Both light and waterproof thanks to the Seal fabric, ripstop nylon, it is quite warm, but above all, its fairly wide cut does not hamper movement and you can easily wear two layers underneath depending on the temperature. It turns out to be a jacket that is comfortable to wear and performs well for night jogging in winter, and the rain.

Last but not least, the inserts in carbon black and yellow reflective materials allow you to be seen in the dark. Their distribution over the movement zones should in principle allow more or less lucid drivers to identify you as a running rider and therefore to brake in time!

You can also purchase a reflective safety armband to wear on the arm that is on the roadside. This is so that the car or the cyclist can better understand the safety distance to leave between you and him. You can also wear two, one on each arm if you wish.

A little extra that can be important: equip yourself with a flashing red light. To be visible from behind, in the fog for example.

Then you will need a lamp to light your way. There are two options for this. You can opt for a classic headlamp, which you will wear on your head.

Where else, you can buy a chest running light that you will wear as the name suggests on the chest. It’s up to you to see which one is the most comfortable.

Running on winter nights is like running in the cold. It is therefore essential to cover yourself well. I am thinking particularly of the extremities: the hands and the head. Remember to put on gloves and a hat or the like to keep as much heat as possible. The hat can be fitted with reflective tapes to be seen a little better. Tell yourself that the more visible and well equipped you are, the safer you will be during your outing.

When you go running at night, it is safe to let someone know your route, your estimated time out. So that in case of a concern, the person can intervene quickly. Better yet, go for a run with a family member! Avoid forests or paths with obstacles on which you could hurt yourself.

What are the rules to follow when traveling in a motorhome?

Motorhome road trips are becoming essential on vacation … But there are rules to be observed in terms of parking, permits, etc. We tell you everything!

 

Since the first confinement, sales of motorhomes have exploded. It must be said that it is a way to go on vacation particularly suited to the current situation. Respect for social distancing, comfort like at home, and discovery of unusual places.

 

But there are also specificities specific to motorhomes in terms of legislation. Which license for which motorhome? How many people can you carry onboard? But also authorized parking lots for this type of “house on wheels”. We explain everything to you so that your future stay goes as smoothly as possible.

 

Which license to drive a motorhome?

The B license is sufficient to drive a motorhome on the condition that it weighs less than 3.5 tonnes. If your vehicle is towing a trailer weighing more than 750 kg and the weight of the motorhome and the trailer is between 3.501 tonnes and 4.250 tonnes, you will need to add the B96 training to your B license. The B96 training is done for 7 hours in driving school.

 

If the weight of your trailer is over 750 kg or if the weight of the trailer + the camper van exceeds 4,250 tonnes, you will need to obtain the BE permitted. Finally, if the trailer exceeds 3.5 tonnes, it will be necessary to opt for a C1E permit.

 

What equipment is required onboard?

In France, the mandatory equipment is the same as for a car, namely a safety triangle and a reflective vest. Be careful if you are traveling in Spain, the highway code imposes two triangles to be able to signal in both directions of traffic.

 

All people on board the motorhome must be able to be fitted with a seat belt. Attention to know the authorized number of people on board, it is necessary to refer to the gray card and not to the number of beds present.

 

When to carry out the technical control?

The technical inspection of a motorhome due before the 4 th anniversary of the first vehicle into circulation if it is new. The check must be carried out every two years for a vehicle over four years old or bought used. As for cars, a technical inspection of fewer than 6 months is necessary for the event of a sale.

 

Where to park with a motorhome?

Unless a municipal decree to the contrary, motorhomes can park freely in a car park and even sleep there. However, the vehicle must be in a parking space and it is forbidden to remove accessories such as a table or wheel chocks on the public highway. This would be qualified as public camping and reprehensible.

 

Many municipalities offer reception areas reserved for motorhomes. On these, it is possible to take out the table and chairs for the meal. Be careful, however, some municipalities only allow parking and not the “unpacking” of accessories. Still, others limit the number of nights allowed in these reception areas.

 

Finally, campsites, of course, which offer special pitches for motor homes and all the necessary amenities… For the price of a pitch of course! You can now travel the roads of France in full knowledge of the laws that govern the world of motorhomes…

Regulations on holiday destinations

One-third of Czechs go by car to the mountains in winter, much of it to the Alps. Here is an overview of what is good to know. And also information for others who prefer to fly in the heat in winter.

Although the first two weeks in July have long been the most exposed holiday date of the year, Czechs also indulge in weekly relaxation in winter. We usually go to the mountains, the most popular are home resorts and the Alps. We go to Austria for the weekend, we choose Italy for longer stays. The hit of recent years in France and increasingly accessible Switzerland.

Brands requiring chains are becoming more widespread, so we recommend packing them on the way to the trunk. And beware that liquid spray chains are not considered by local police to be a duty. The fines are greasy! The rules for winter equipment are not uniform. So if you are going to Ukraine, the M + S rubber must even be at least 6 mm deep. What to watch out for?

Austria

Our southern neighbors have raised ten-day highway signs for this year to 9.40 euros, ie 238 CZK. They are required to prescribe winter tires from 1 November to 15 April, and infringements face heavy fines. Toll mountain sections and roads may be closed in winter.

Pay attention to the rule that if vehicles cannot pass safely on mountain roads, they must stop. Those that find it easier are required to back up or turn around.

Snow chains are only permitted on continuously snowy roads or wherever the mark requires it.

Only the orange safety vest that passengers must wear each time they get out of the car in an accident is accepted.

Italy

Czechs like the Italian Alps for connected ski resort complexes. Unfortunately, the road will become more expensive through paid tunnels and a long journey. Winter tires are compulsory from 15 October to 15 April in the Val d´Aosta area on the Swiss-French border. Elsewhere from November 1.

And beware, tires marked M + S must have a minimum pattern of 4 mm even in summer. In Italy, it is forbidden to commute them to 1.6 mm, as you are allowed out of season with us, for example.

It is forbidden to tow vehicles on the highway.

On a narrow road, a heavier vehicle takes precedence over a lighter one.

Lighting is mandatory on the highway and in the tunnel.

Anti-radar devices are prohibited.