The drivers are obliged to wear reflective vests

18 December 2017

The relevant provision will come into force in March

On the website of the Russian Government appeared resolution No. 1524, dated 12 December 2017, which refers to the amendments to the SDA. Now appears in the rules, paragraph 2.3.4: "In case of an emergency stop of the vehicle or road accidents outside settlements in the dark or in reduced visibility while on the roadway or curb to be dressed in a jacket, a vest or vest-cloak with strips of retroreflective material that meet the requirements of GOST 12.4.281-2014".

The decree comes into force after 90 days from the day of its official publication, that is, the rule will become effective in mid-March. However, while the government has not discussed the introduction of a penalty for this violation.

According to the initiators of the entered rules, a significant portion of accidents in the dark involving pedestrians are caused by the fact that drivers simply do not notice them. Previously, the authorities introduced the mandatory use of reflective elements for pedestrians on the road outside settlements in the dark. According to statistics, during the first half of 2017 in accidents that occurred in the dark, 1 killed 321 people, 6 537 were injured. This is 10.2 % less than in the first six months of 2016. The government believe that the positive dynamics associated with the appearance of the item on the retroreflective elements.

Also, the government noted that during the first half was committed 66 assaults on drivers who stepped out of the car in low visibility conditions outside the settlements. The number of such incidents increased by 4.8 %, and forced to oblige motorists to use special vests.