tuningblog.eu Your magazine about tuning the car
Recently updated on September 22, 2023 at 08:19 am
Safety vest in the car: everything you need to know! Your own health is a precious commodity that cannot be paid for with any money in the world. They must be protected and preserved. Traffic accidents or car breakdowns occur again and again, especially on the road. A car breakdown is annoying, but especially with a broken-down car, special attention should be paid to the issue of "safety".
Why is a safety vest important?
An reflective vest is important for several reasons. It has a major impact on your safety. The days are getting shorter, especially in the winter months. It gets dark early and visibility is limited in many places. If your own car goes on strike or if there is a traffic accident, this point must be secured. It is important that other road users recognize the danger area early and can react accordingly. An unsecured accident site, on the other hand, harbors numerous dangers, both for the road users involved and for bystanders. Reflective vests are not only for your own safety, they can also be mandatory. The Engelbert Strauss company, among others, offers a large selection. Not only can here Safety vests for the car, but also for work facilities.
Is carrying it mandatory?
In road traffic and in various working facilities safety is a crucial factor. Accidents happen again and again due to poor visibility. Many road users are still asking themselves the question: "For which vehicles are safety vests mandatory in Germany?". This question can easily be answered. Safety vests are, just like standardized first aid kits mandatory in Germany and must be carried by every road user. This regulation primarily affects cars, trucks and means of transport. The latter include buses. However, there is one exception, because the driver is responsible for carrying or not carrying the vehicle with him. If you are a passenger in a car, you must have one safety vest don't bring it yourself.
However, every vehicle driver must have enough reflective vests in his vehicle. In a conventional vehicle that is fully occupied, this means that at least four safety Vests have to be carried. In the event of a car breakdown or a traffic accident, it is important that all occupants are clearly visible to other road users. This also applies if the car can be repaired within a very short time and a tow truck is not required. This is usually the case with a flat tire. With the right tool box in the car, a defective tire can be replaced quickly and easily with the spare wheel. However, there is no obligation to use the vest in this case.
It is also important that nobody is in the vehicle during the repair or while waiting for the tow truck. Especially in the Darkness danger spots can only be recognized late. Some road users also have problems with the darkness or poor visibility. Distractions, such as the use of a mobile phone, represent an additional risk. Driving into a breakdown vehicle is a nightmare for all road users. However, in order not to expose yourself to this danger, you should leave the vehicle.
What happens if you don't bring a safety vest with you?
Carrying a safety vest in the car is mandatory in Germany. If you don't bring it with you, there are severe fines. But apart from the fines, you should also think about your own safety and that of other road users. The carrying of one is checked safety vest as part of a general traffic check or during the TÜV inspection. However, there is no obligation to wear such a vest. In the event of a traffic accident, the scene of the accident must be secured. If the police are called in and the scene of the accident was not properly secured, further fines may be imposed.
It is also advisable to have additional safety Vests for children and dogs to take along. These are not mandatory, but it makes sense. Conventional reflective vests are usually too big for children. The special vests can not only be carried in the car, but also worn on the way to kindergarten or school. This also applies to the special vests for dogs. A safety vest can save lives and protect against accidents. It is also important that it has sufficient reflectors.
Which requirements are important?
Not every safety vest meets the safety vest requirement in Germany. There are different requirements that such a vest must meet. If he does not fill these, the safety vest requirement is violated. But what are the requirements and what color does the safety vest in the car have to be?
- The color: Both yellow and orange safety vests are permitted in Germany. However, unlike in work facilities, the safety vest must not have any other colour.
- The safety standard: The European safety standard has been in force in Germany since 2014. Vehicle safety vests must comply with either the European standard EN ISO 20471:2013 or the German standard DIN EN 471:2033+A1:2007.
- additional requirements: The vest must have a high proportion of fluorescent and reflective materials. If the safety standard is complied with, this requirement is automatically met.
Conclusion
- In Germany, carrying a Safety vest mandatory and regulated by law. However, there is no obligation to use it. But with regard to your own safety and that of other road users, it is advisable to wear the safety vest in the event of a traffic accident or a car breakdown. In order to comply with the safety vest obligation, the vest must also meet various requirements.
Sources:
dekra.de/de/safety vests/
bussgeld-info.de/warnwestenpflicht/
adac.de/verkehr/recht/verkehrsverbindungen-deutschland/warnweste
Photo credit: engelbert-strauss.at
Of course, that wasn't the end of it.
tuningblog.eu has a lot of other articles on the subject of auto & tuning in stock. Do you want to see them all? Just click HERE and look around. But also planned changes in the law, violations in road traffic, current regulations in the field of STVO or on the subject inspection we would like to inform you regularly. Everything you can find in the category "Test sites, laws, offenses, information". Click on one of the following posts!
