Pedestrians wearing reflective vest under reduced visibility, the police's right not to leave a car with a serious technical defect or new rules for the movement of trucks. These are some amendments to the amendment to the Road Act, which the government has approved today.
"The amendment to the Road Act introduces changes that will contribute to greater road safety. If the Parliament approves it and the President signs it, the news could start to apply from next year, "comments Minister Transport Minister Dan.
Introducing the obligation to wear reflective elements
The amendment introduces the obligation for pedestrians to use the reflection element outside the municipality for reduced visibility, for example in the dark, twilight or in the fog. "This will contribute to reducing the number of accidents between vehicles and pedestrians in places without public lighting. People will be better able to see the reflective elements, "says Transport Minister Dan.
For pedestrians it means getting any reflective clothing. It can also be a reflective tape or keychain. It is therefore not the duty to wear a reflective vest. The cost of purchasing these items is in the order of tens of crowns. Many manufacturers of sports and workwear are now using reflection elements automatically.
There is no special sanction for violation of the obligation to wear the reflective element. As in other cases, when a pedestrian violates road traffic rules, a police officer may charge a fine between CZK 0 and CZK 2000 and in the administrative proceedings a penalty of 1500 to 2500 CZK. However, the police officer has the option to deal with an offense on the spot by appointment. The main purpose of the new rule is prevention, not repression.
Pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users and are seen at a sufficient distance for their safety as a fundamental requirement. The obligation to wear reflective elements has been enshrined in a number of European countries in its legislation, resulting in a reduction in pedestrian fatalities. For example, neighboring Slovakia recorded, until 2010, a significantly higher number of pedestrians killed per year than the Czech Republic. Following the introduction of a legal obligation for pedestrians to use reflective elements for reduced visibility, Slovakia has fewer pedestrian deaths than the Czech Republic in these statistics.
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