From February 18 to 26, 2023, the State Automobile Inspectorate is conducting preventive measures to ensure the safety of vulnerable road users!
February 23, 2023
The main cause of road fatalities remains collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and horse-drawn transport not marked with retroreflective elements in the dark.
The main cause of road fatalities remains collisions with pedestrians, cyclists, and horse-drawn transport not marked with retroreflective elements in the dark.
An analysis of road accidents in the Republic of Belarus indicates an increase in the number of traffic accidents involving vulnerable road users. In the upcoming period, weather conditions (precipitation, fog, strong gusts of wind, snowfalls, etc.) will significantly influence the overall accident situation and the safety of vulnerable road users in particular. Visibility while driving is crucial for the safety of both vehicle occupants and pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers of horse-drawn transport. In the dark, the human eye perceives the surrounding environment much worse than during the day. According to research, 90% of a driver's actions depend on the visual information they receive. In the dark, the human eye perceives only 5% of what it can distinguish during the day. Therefore, a significant portion of road accidents occurs during this time, with the predominant number being collisions of vehicles with pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. The main reason for this situation is the problem of timely detection of pedestrians and cyclists by drivers on the roadway in the dark, especially if they are wearing dark clothing that blends in with the road surface and the surrounding environment. In urban conditions, this problem is exacerbated by visual noise and the intense headlights of oncoming traffic. According to research, the distance from which
designated pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers of animal-drawn vehicles become more visible to the driver of a passing car, increasing their visibility by 1.5-3 times. This gives the driver additional time to make the most appropriate decision to avoid a potential collision with these road users (thereby reducing the risk of vehicle collision by 85%). A retroreflective element will always be visible. Rain or fog are not obstacles. The range of retroreflective products is quite diverse. These include retroreflective armbands, webbing, ready-made clothing with retroreflective material details, vests, and much more. It should be noted that traffic police officers pay special attention to the requirements of the Traffic Regulations regarding the use of retroreflective elements by pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers of animal-drawn vehicles during dark hours, as well as the equipment of bicycles, personal mobility devices, and carts with retroreflectors, and at night, a headlight (lamp) emitting white light at the front and a lamp emitting red light at the rear, while a cyclist must wear a high-visibility vest in the dark. At first glance, a retroreflective element may seem like a toy, but its use, according to road safety experts, reduces road injuries by six and a half times! A prime example of ensuring personal safety in traffic conditions today is the use of retroreflective vests. Administrative liability for ignoring these requirements of the Traffic Regulations provides for a warning or a fine ranging from 1 to 3 base amounts. If the offender is intoxicated, they will face administrative liability in the form of a fine ranging from 3 to 5 base amounts. Retroreflective elements can be purchased both in the retail network of state enterprises (Belpochta branches, Belsoyuzpechat kiosks, consumer society stores) and in retail outlets of other forms of ownership, including at gas stations. Remember! The use of retroreflective elements reduces the risk of being hit by a vehicle by 85%.
Senior State Traffic Inspector of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Glubokoye District Department of Internal Affairs, Senior Police Lieutenant Polileyko A.G.