16/1/2018 - With reflective vest outside built-up areas
Poland belongs to
the infamous top European countries with the highest percentage of accidents involving
pedestrians. It is obvious that a man in a confrontation with a car does not
have the slightest chance, so this statistical fact translates into a large
number of victims. In order to reduce it, in 2013 a provision was made for
mandatory safety equipment for people walking along roads. It will come
into force in August 2014.
Night driving is
not always a pleasure. If we do not move on the highway, expressway or newly
renovated national road, we must prepare not only for ruts and holes, but also
for the lack of a roadside and white lines marking the border between the road
and the roadside. In such conditions, outside the built-up area, on unlit
roads, driving at the prescribed speed is even a lottery. If a dark-dressed man
walks along the asphalt, we will see him only 20-30 meters away, despite the
lights on. Driving 90 km / h within a second needed to react to danger by
pressing the brake or turning the steering wheel, we will defeat 25 meters. The
chance to bypass such a person is therefore close to zero. If the pedestrian is
wearing reflections, it will be noticed from a distance of about 130-150
meters, which gives the driver six seconds to react. That is why the
regulations requiring the wearing of reflective elements were passed.
All pedestrians on
the roads after dark outside the built-up area will be obliged to have them in
a visible place. Today only children under the age of 15 have such a
responsibility. Reflectors will not have to wear night walking on the sidewalk
or road intended for pedestrians only, as well as moving in the residential
area. The new recipe, which will come into force on August 31, 2014, has
divided society. On the one hand, it brings satisfaction to drivers who will
not be afraid of deducting the last-minute person, but on the other hand it
causes strong opposition of pedestrians.
You cite police
statistics. According to the report of the Central Police Headquarters for
2013, out of 9,500 accidents involving pedestrians, which took place then, only
114 occurred on the side of the roads. For comparison, at pedestrian crossings
there were as many as 3.4 thousand. Opponents of the new regulation also argue
that when leaving the house during the day and planning a return at night, they
will not take the reflective vest
with them. For reasons of accuracy, we would like to inform you that reflective
elements such as a wristband or a pendant are sufficient to meet the
requirements of the regulations. What threatens those who will ignore the new
requirement?
When in 2013,
deputies set up regulations, their actions were mainly driven by the promotion
of safe behavior. Therefore, no penalty was imposed that would threaten a
pedestrian without glare. Paradoxically, such an expression of courtesy towards
Poles can turn to their disadvantage. Police will probably enforce the
provisions on general principles, and in accordance with art 79 of the Code of
Petty Offenses, a traffic participant who breaks down other regulations of the
Highway Code or issued on its basis can be fined up to PLN 3,000.
The new rule will
apply from August 31, 2014. Although it is hard to imagine that police officers
would punish careless pedestrians with horrendously high fines, it is better to
buy safety
vest beforehand. Let's do it not only because of the punishment that
threatens us, but above all because of our own security.
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