Tag: reflective fabric

According to the St. Gallen canton police, there is often a lack of clarity as to what rights and obligations pedestrians have in road traffic. They provide clarity in a guidebook recently published.

 

Where do pedestrians have right of way?

People who are on foot in traffic have right of way on pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, and footpaths that are marked with a blue mandatory sign. Every child knows: “I have right of way on the pedestrian crossing!” But suddenly crossing the street on a pedestrian crossing without waiting for an approaching vehicle to stop is not only inconsiderate but also dangerous.

 

In meeting zones, pedestrians always have right of way over rolling traffic. This also applies when crossing the street. This looks different with 30 zones. “Pedestrians are generally allowed to cross the street anywhere, but they have to give way to the vehicles on the street,” says the guide.

 

Behavior at the pedestrian crossing and light signals

According to the police, abruptly entering the pedestrian crossing without taking into account the rolling traffic can also be seen as “enforcing the right of way” from a legal point of view, which is an offense against road traffic legislation. If the lane is crossed next to the pedestrian crossing, this could be punished with a fine of ten francs. This rule applies up to 50 meters before and after the pedestrian crossing. The same regulations apply to pedestrian crossings and underpasses.

 

According to the police, it happens again and again that people in their motor vehicles are distracted while driving. “If someone enters the pedestrian crossing at this moment, dangerous situations or even accidents can occur,” says the guide. Entering the road, for example behind a bus stopping or parked vehicles, is similarly dangerous.

 

Traffic lights also apply to pedestrians, at least those that are intended for such. Entering the lane when it is red and ignoring the light signal can be punished with a fine of 20 francs. “So it is not only worthwhile to wait for the green phase of a light signal for security reasons,” said the police.

 

Behavior on expressways

According to the guide, extreme caution is advised in the event of a breakdown on a motorway. It is advisable to seek protection behind the guardrail immediately when leaving the vehicle on a lane. In addition, you should put on a safety vest as soon as possible. “Regardless of this, anyone entering the road for no reason is punished with a fine of 20 francs and is also extremely dangerous.” According to the police, many underestimate such a situation and the dangers involved.

 

There are also a few things to consider when jogging or walking along the edge of the road without a sidewalk: If you are on a public road, you have to walk on the left edge of the road. If several people are traveling together, they must walk one behind the other. Walking or running is not forbidden, even on stretches out of town, but requires all the more caution on the part of the pedestrian. It is not allowed to stay casually at the edge of the lane of motorways and motorways.

 

Additional security measures

Before starting a walk on the side of the road, the police advise you to think about the appropriate equipment while you are at home. If it is dark outside or the weather is bad, you should wear light-colored clothing or, at best, clothing with reflective fabrics. If such clothing is not available, it makes sense to equip yourself with a flashlight or other light source in poor visibility conditions.

 

The conclusion from the police’s point of view: «Be considerate. Because if all road users pay attention to each other, many dangerous situations can be defused at an early stage or they do not arise at all.”

 

According to police spokesman Pascal Häderli, Kapo SG is primarily preventive in the pedestrian area. “We seek conversation and make pedestrians aware of their misconduct. Most pedestrians appreciate this. Therefore, buses are only distributed occasionally,” says Häderli.

 

In the wake of the pandemic, we are cycling more than ever. These are the three key tips from the General Directorate of Traffic to move around in this means of transport.

 

One of the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic has been the increase in this private means of transport. According to data from the Association of Brands and Bicycles of Spain (AMBE), during the de-escalation, demand soared, and in a few months sales grew more than 300%, maintaining that interest over time. Aware of this, the DGT gives us the three essential tips for cycling.

 

The cyclists are coupled to pedestrians and vehicle users’ mobility, the most vulnerable actors of the road. To circulate safely, it is advisable to put into practice some specific tips that, in addition, are sometimes mandatory rules, such as the use of lights or a helmet.

 

Bicycle lights

On a bicycle, the lights become a safety element that helps the cyclist to be seen by other users at a distance greater than 150 meters. With the regulations in hand, it is imperative to activate them between sunset and sunrise. In addition, they must be approved by the European Union; otherwise, the user may be penalized.

 

How do you have to wear these optical groups? The regulation establishes that it is mandatory to equip the bicycle with a position light at the rear, which must be fixed and white. To it, you must add a retro-reflector of the same color and any shape as long as it is not a triangle. In addition, it is advisable to include yellow reflectors on the spokes or the pedals, although the truth is that they are usually included in most models.

 

To this must be added that the cyclist must wear a reflective garment with reflective fabric if he is going to circulate between sunset and sunrise on interurban roads. Something that can be complemented with light clothing. The chapter on responsibilities closes with the use of a helmet: if traveling by road it is imperative, while in the city only those under 16 years of age should wear it, although for the rest it is advisable.

 

Finally, the DGT adds a couple of recommendations regarding equipment: goggles to put a barrier to dust and insects as well as gloves to protect yourself in the event of a fall.

Darkness, fog, rain – pedestrians, and cyclists are easily overlooked. Lighting is therefore essential. But even when it comes to clothing, it is important to turn an optical adjustment screw.

In addition to reflective clothing with reflective fabric, adequate lighting on the bike is also important. Powerful LED lights are particularly suitable for this.

Autumn and winter are particularly dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists because they are more easily overlooked by drivers and other road users than usual.

But high-contrast clothing, good lighting, and wearing reflectors help them to be more visible and thus to be safer on the road, explains the testing organization Dekra.

Especially with reflectors, the following applies: a lot helps a lot. For both cyclists and pedestrians, the feet of the light beam from the cars are the first to be caught. “Reflectors on the shoes are never wrong,” explains Dekra spokesman Wolfgang Sigloch. But you should also pay attention to reflective clothing on the upper body – be it safety vests or special jackets.

Cyclists should mount powerful LED lights. However, these must always be loaded. A dynamo solution with luminescent lights can also be useful. However, Sigloch advises against the classic dynamo, in which the lamps go out when the vehicle is stationary. Because then it could be that you stand unlit in the middle of an intersection.

Marianne Atlegård wants an answer to a question that can make more people appear better in traffic:

I lack reflective fabric to be able to decorate clothes. Can’t find something like that, maybe something for NTF?

Elisabeth Westman: There are reflectors on fabric, reflective bands in various widths, reflective tape, variants to iron on, reflective spray and ordinary reflective bands to sew on clothes in some sewing shops, craft detail shops, hobby shops and online. There are also reflective yarns for handwork if you want reflections on for example mittens and caps!