Many car owners are faced with the problem of choosing workwear. This happened in connection with the updating of traffic rules. A reflective vest for the driver should now be present in every car. But how to choose it and is it possible not to acquire it at all? Let's try to understand this issue together.
What the law says
In December 2017, some amendments to the legislation of the Russian Federation were made by legislation. Reflective vests for drivers or other types of similar clothing should now have every owner of the vehicle. Use them only when stopping outside the city, at night or with poor visibility. This change is effective March 18, 2018.
The government explains the reason for the publication of such a law by the fact that the number of accidents on the roads involving pedestrians decreased after the adoption of a decree obliging them to wear reflectors at night. And the number of drivers who got out of their car onto the road, on the contrary, increased. All this served as the reason for the introduction of an amendment to the rules.
It is also mentioned that a law on reflective clothing for drivers has been introduced in Europe for a long time. And it proved itself very well. For non-compliance with this rule, heavy fines are imposed there.
Law for pedestrians
For pedestrians, such a law was introduced in Russia in 2015. It also acts on moving along roads and crossing them outside the city line at night and with poor visibility.
Pedestrians do not have to buy vests, you can do with the so-called flickers - accessories instead of clothes with reflective elements. For drivers, this option is also suitable. It can be bracelets, wraps for backpacks, badges, belts and stickers on clothes. The minimum size of such an element is 25 square centimeters.
Experts advise having 4 flickers attached: in the chest area, on the back or backpack, and on both hands. If he is only one, it is worth sticking it as high as possible.
GOST
The requirements for such clothes are regulated by GOST 12.4.281-2014 (clause 4.2). Previously, this document was applied only to clothing for citizens working on the roads. Now it extends to reflective capes for drivers. By the way, not only capes or vests are required, you can also wear jackets.
In accordance with GOST, the following must be present on clothing:
- Strips with reflective elements having a width of at least 5 mm and arranged in two pieces - above and below.
- The lower ones are applied horizontally, indented from the edge of the vest 5 cm, the second indented from the first also 5 cm.
- The upper stripes are vertical, necessarily pass through the shoulders and end at the rear near horizontal.
- It is assumed that the bottom can be one, but two strips are always applied on top.
There is another classification of reflective clothing for drivers:
- Class 1 clothing. At least 10 square centimeters of reflective material are present here.
- Vests 2 classes. There are already at least 50 square centimeters, they are used most often.
- Third class. It has very little background color and a lot of stripes.
What is made of
Synthetics and fabrics with sufficient elasticity are used for the manufacture of reflective vests for drivers. SDA give a restriction on the colors of clothes. It can be yellow, orange or red.
Materials for its manufacture must have sufficient strength in order to withstand heavy loads and be resistant to contamination.In production, only high-quality paint can be used so that the reflective cape for the driver does not fade with time. Particular attention is paid to the material for applying the strips themselves, it should be suitable for long-term use.
Such clothes are sold in specialized stores, at a fairly low price.
How does this happen in Europe
Hungary, Poland, Portugal, France and some other countries in Europe have long used laws on reflective clothing for drivers. Moreover, according to the rules established in Belgium, Croatia and Luxembourg, several sets must be present in the car: for yourself and for passengers. If you have to move along the side of the road at night, the responsibility for providing all vests in the cabin is transferred to the driver. The fines for violating this law in Europe are significant:
- Austria estimates such a violation at 14 euros;
- Belgium - 50 euros;
- Spain - 91 euros;
- fine in Italy comes to 138 euros;
- Portugal - 300 euros for the lack of a cape in the car and 600 euros for not wearing a vest on time.
Fines in Russia
For violation of the law "On Workwear for Pedestrians" a fine is imposed, which amounts to 500 rubles, in accordance with Art. 12.29 Administrative Code of the Russian Federation. The new addition for drivers has not yet provided for a monetary penalty. But still, do not neglect this innovation for several reasons:
- reflective clothing for the driver is good protection for the owner of the vehicle and a signal for other car owners, because a person in such a vest is visible much better;
- from the moment the amendment enters into force, the traffic police will look differently at the causal relationship between the accident participants, and the car owner who does not put on a jacket can turn into a culprit from the victim.
Each motorist will independently decide whether to comply with this law. But still it is worth thinking about your safety. After all, the cost of a vest is negligible compared to the value of life.