On March 18, 2018, changes to the rules come into force traffic. The amendments establish the obligation for drivers to wear reflective vests when they are forced to stop outside settlements.
Changes in traffic rules
Should I always carry a vest in the car?
No, the driver has no such obligation. If the car is used only in settlements, it is not necessary to purchase a vest.
However, unlike the “Spike” badge, such a vest directly affects your personal safety.
The forced stop is already not a pleasant event, but this does not mean that the troubles are all over. And a little trouble can turn into a tragedy.
According to the legislator, for the first half of 2017, the number of hits on drivers during road accidents in dark time days increased by 4.8%.
How does a vest affect a person's visibility? Requirements for vests
The requirements of the Rules refer to GOST 12.4.281-2014 Occupational Safety Standards System (SSBT). Clothing special high visibility. Technical requirements.
For drivers from this standard, it is important to know the requirements for marking such clothing:
9.1 General requirements
Overalls must be marked. The marking must meet the following requirements:
- be located on the clothing itself or on a tag (product label) attached to it;
- be visible and readable;
- maintain the appropriate number of care cycles.
The font size of the markings should be easy to understand and should not interfere with the use of protective clothing.
The marking must contain the following information:
Going out on a busy highway without bright clothes is life-threatening. If the driver decides to change the wheel on the highway, then a passing car can knock him down. And there are many such accidents. The reason that leads to the death of drivers who got out of the car onto the road, and pedestrians walking along the side of the road, is one: they are not visible. In Europe, they don’t think about whether a vest is needed in a car. It is as essential as a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
Benefits of using a signal vest
It seems like this rag can save a life? On a flat, straight road, a man in a signal vest can be seen from afar. Such colorful flowers do not exist in nature. Therefore, against the general background, the owner of the vest will look noticeable. The driver sees a man in a vest for 600 meters. This distance is enough to reduce speed and, if necessary, stop. Without a pedestrian vest, the driver will notice for 200 meters. At a car speed of 90 km/h, the car travels this distance in 8 seconds. Here, of course, the difference is palpable. The vest is bright, and therefore one might think that it is not very practical. But that's not the case at all. The material it's made from is synthetic so it's easy to wash plus keeps your clothes from getting dirty.
In the manufacture signal vest the following materials are used: fluorescent, background, reflective. Fluorescent- a material that glows infinitely in ultraviolet light. It attracts attention 2 times more than a regular color. background– bright material that provides high visibility during the day. May be yellow, orange or red. reflective- material, which includes optical elements. They are needed to reflect the light falling on them.
If we consider the use of a signal vest in the dark, the difference is even more noticeable. Reflective stripes on the vest effective remedy to highlight an inconspicuous object. It is very dangerous to be without a signal vest at the scene of a car accident. Drivers who drive by, as a rule, consider what happened on the road, but they don’t look where they are going.
In the car, you need to find a place where the vest will be stored. In no case should this place be in the trunk, otherwise chasing it along the edge of the track can be the last trip of your life. It is better if the vest can be reached by hand. It doesn't take up much space. You can identify it in the glove compartment or in the door pocket, or perhaps under the seat.
Attention! Do not wear a vest on the backs of the seats. The airbags sewn into them in the event of an accident may not work correctly.
Signal vests for drivers are available in universal sizes, and you can buy them at a workwear store at an inexpensive price. It can be seen that as soon as a person in a vest enters the road, the speed of cars instantly decreases. Drivers confuse a bright vest with the uniform of a traffic police inspector, forcing themselves to slow down just in case, and this also increases your chances of surviving on the road.
Is it mandatory to use a vest in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus
In Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, they want to pass a law, which is in force in most European countries, on the need for a signal vest for the driver in every vehicle, along with a first aid kit, a sign emergency stop and a fire extinguisher. This law should oblige drivers to wear it when leaving the car. It is clear that such an initiative is the right one to reduce the number of pedestrian fatalities on the road. But for now, the question remains open.
What is the attitude towards the absence of a signal vest in other countries
In a number of European countries (except Greece, Denmark, Poland, Holland, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden), the law on the need for a signal vest in a vehicle is successfully working. Penalties for not using a signal vest V European countries start from 25 euros in Bulgaria, 600 euros in Portugal, up to 1375 euros in Belgium. Compared to fines, the price of a vest is minuscule - from 2 euros. In Russia, you can risk your life on the roads with impunity and absolutely free.
The Russian government decided to introduce a law on reflective vests for drivers in 2018. This will affect all car owners without exception. We can say that they will see changes with the beginning of the spring season. The first question that arises is when the law will come into force? It is from 02/18/2018 that a person must have an eye-catching reflective vest in his car. It must be worn at the moment when it becomes dark on the street, being outside the city, if you need to go to the track.
The emergence of a new law
It is worth using a vest in conditions of not very good visibility, it can be like rainy weather, problems due to the terrain features of the territory. In this situation, you should pay close attention to such a phrase “insufficient visibility” - this is not a wide view (visibility is less than 300 meters), due to weather, darkness.
It is important to note that new law requires drivers to wear jackets with reflective stripes. We are talking about specific situations: a person leaves his vehicle in conditions of not very good visibility (before climbing under the car or opening the trunk in order to get the necessary things, tools).
Changes in traffic rules 2018 did not arise by chance, for the first six months of 2017, late in the evening, at night, 66 drivers were hit by a car, because they simply were not visible on the road. Today, new rules will make human life safer, which is important. The cost of production is low, it will be at least 100 rubles.
Motorists can get out of the transport in special signal clothing at night. These special items include: a vest, any clothing with stripes of reflective material. This obligation is enshrined in the Rules of the road.
Reflectors can be in the form of strips that can be worn directly in the pocket, and if necessary, stick on brightly colored clothes. If a person has a signal item (jacket), then it can be quite easily seen at a distance of 150 or 200 meters. But if the car is moving high beam headlights, the distance at which a person becomes noticeable increases to 350 meters. This makes it possible to better and faster respond to the situation and go around a person without accidentally hitting him on the side of the road.
Features of special clothing for drivers on the road
What color should be a reflective vest for the driver - this question is considered one of the important. In the dark, reflective elements of clothing in yellow, red, light green or orange colors are best seen, placed directly in the chest, hips of each motorist.
What should be a special vest. The main parameters and characteristics of a modern product:
- The width of the strip is not less than 5 cm.
- The vest must have 2 reflective stripes. The lower strip is located at a distance of at least 5 cm from the bottom of the product, the upper one is at least 5 cm from the bottom.
- The other 2 stripes go from the upper horizontal stripe in front and to the top, then over the shoulders to the back and up to the same horizontal stripe in the back - on two sides (you can also use one stripe).
- Clothing wraps around the torso, has sleeves, it is sewn from fluorescent polyester.
All requirements must be strictly observed, the legislation has made sure that a person on the road at night is safe.
Pay attention to the photo of the thing, they will make it clear what kind of product we are talking about (what color).
Is there a penalty for the absence of a signal product?
The fine for not wearing a reflective vest for drivers will be 500 rubles. Responsible and serious implementation of adopted law, its observance helps to avoid unpleasant situations that pose a danger and a real threat to life.
Resolution according to GOST: there must be markings on the vest (GOST 12.4.281-2014), this required condition. There is another important rule - the presence of wear-resistant markings with the main features of the product. The tag, which is sewn directly into the vest, contains important information about the manufacturer, size, degree of protective characteristics. You can recall that already in 2015 there was such a special clothing designed for pedestrians. According to the traffic police, after the introduction of this law, the number of accidents involving pedestrians has significantly decreased.
Thus, a reflective vest for drivers must be made in accordance with GOST, this will help to avoid problems and dangerous situations.
On the official website of the Government of the Russian Federation there was information that the Rules of the Road were supplemented with one new clause, which over time should discipline Russian drivers even more and, most importantly, reduce the number of collisions with dismounted drivers and fatal accidents on road.
We are talking about the fact that the government has obliged drivers to wear reflective vests. The initiative was prepared by the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the early autumn of this year. According to this draft resolution, a new paragraph 2.3.4 will be added to the SDA, which reads as follows:
“2.3.4. When forced to stop vehicle or a traffic accident outside populated areas to be on the roadway or roadside at night or in conditions limited visibility in a jacket, waistcoat or cape vest with stripes reflective material that meet the requirements of GOST 12.4.281-2014”.
As stated in the document, "This resolution comes into force after 90 days from the date of its official publication."
What does this mean for Russian motorists? Let's answer some of the most important questions.
Will drivers be fined for not wearing a vest?
No. So far, no changes have been made to the Code of Administrative Offenses. The norm is enshrined only in the Rules of the road. This means that drivers who get out of the car in the old fashioned way in conditions of poor visibility on country roads cannot be fined for not wearing a special reflective vest.
What will be the next penalty?
According to part 1 of Article 12.29 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, the said violation by a pedestrian or a passenger of a vehicle of the Rules of the Road may entail a fine of about 500 rubles. Of course, it will be imposed provided that the driver did not wear a vest while on highway outside the settlement in the conditions insufficient visibility(dark hours, fog).
Where can I buy a reflective vest?
In specialized car dealerships, as well as in clothing stores. Its cost does not bite - 150-300 rubles.
I drive a passenger car, do I need to buy a vest?
Undoubtedly, it is better to purchase a reflective vest in advance. This is due to several factors:
1. This is your safety. If you often travel out of town, then a vest should be a mandatory attribute of the car.
2. If you are puzzled by the purchase of a vest at the last moment, you may encounter a shortage of workwear, as it was. Therefore, purchase it in advance.
When does this government regulation come into force?
The new requirement for drivers will come into force 90 days after its official publication. The vest will be mandatory from March 16, 2018.
On December 12, 2017, the Government of the Russian Federation approved amendments to the traffic rules, which oblige drivers to wear a reflective vest when leaving the car. What should be the driver's vest to comply with traffic rules?
Recall that the portal reported that On December 16, 2017, the Decree of December 12, 2017 No. 1524, signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, was published on the website of the Government of the Russian Federation. According to the document, the traffic rules are supplemented with a new clause 2.3.4:
"In the event of a forced stop of the vehicle or a traffic accident outside populated areas at night or in conditions of limited visibility while on the roadway or roadside, be dressed in a jacket, vest or cape vest with stripes of retroreflective material that meet the requirements of GOST 12.4 .281-2014.
GOST for a reflective vest for the driver
As can be seen above, the SDA clearly states that a vest, jacket or cape must comply with GOST 12.4.281-2014. It is called "The system of labor safety standards (SSBT). Special high visibility clothing. Technical requirements".
The standard contains an exhaustive list of workwear, which includes reflective vests, jackets and cape vests specified in the traffic rules. Let's single out the main requirements of GOST:
- Elements from the background material should horizontally clasp the torso, arms (sleeves) for all items of clothing, excluding cape vests.
- Strips of retroreflective material must be at least 50 mm wide; for shoulder straps and belts - at least 30 mm.
- Jackets, waistcoats and cape vests must have two horizontal bands of retroreflective material around the torso at a distance of at least 50 mm from each other and strips of retroreflective material connected to the upper band on the torso in front and behind over the shoulders. The lower edge of the lower strip on the torso must be located at a distance of at least 50 mm from the bottom of the product.
- Jackets, vests and vests are allowed to have one horizontal strip of retroreflective material around the torso and stripes of retroreflective material connected to the strip on the torso in front and behind over the shoulders. The bottom edge of the horizontal strip must be located at least 50 mm from the bottom edge of the jacket, vest or short jacket.
- Alternatively, jackets, vests and cape vests may have two horizontal bands of reflective material around the torso spaced at least 50mm apart. The lower edge of the lower stripe on the torso must be located at least 50 mm from the lower edge of the jacket, vest or cape vest (if necessary).
- Long-sleeved jackets must have two wraparound strips of reflective material at the same level as the stripes on the torso. The top stripe should wrap around the upper part of the sleeve between the shoulder and the elbow, and the bottom stripe should be located at least 50 mm from the bottom edge of the sleeve.
- The cape vest must be designed in such a way that in all sizes of products the side gap between the materials is no more than 50 mm.
- The width of fasteners on background, retroreflective specialized and combined materials should be no more than 50 mm.
- Shoulder straps with a belt must have reflective strips (made of specialized or combined material) along the waist and on the straps. The width of the strips must be at least 30 mm.
If the purchased jacket, vest or cape vest meets all the requirements, then the label must be marked with the number of the above GOST.
