Driver schools disseminate regulations of reflective vest

This regulation has generated several reactions, both positive and negative among the community, so we consulted some safety professionals and driving instructors about this measure.

In previous editions, we told you about the obligation as of January 1, 2016 to carry in the vehicles the reflective vest, a safety element that should be used if the driver of a vehicle must get off it in case of an emergency. Supreme Decree of the Ministry of Transport, adding the reflective vest to the other safety elements, such as the triangle, which must be worn on all motorized vehicles for emergencies. According to this new decree, the reflective vest must contain both fluorescent and retro reflective material, and must always be carried in a place on the vehicle that is accessible from inside, so that the driver gets off the vehicle with the vest on. The measure has generated various reactions, both positive and negative among the community, so we consulted some safety professionals and driving instructors about this measure.

The head of the O'Higgins Division of the IST, Jaime Morales, announced that they have already disseminated the regulations, especially with regard to the labor area. He added that the obligation to wear this safety vest begins on January 1, so in the workplace are obliged to disseminate the regulations. In relation to the response of the people, Morales indicated that in the labor issue is regulated by means of the companies, since the employer must provide the vest for an institutional vehicle, which should be yellow in the background plus the reflective haunches.

On the cost of the vest, Morales argued that it is minor in relation to the proportion that is worth a vehicle versus a reflective clothing, which should not exceed 3 thousand pesos. "I think that people will actually use it, because although the first stage will be a white march where there will be enforcement, there will be no fines. In a moment that has not defined the authority if there will be fines. For us it is fundamental as a mutuality to reduce the number of pedestrian abuses that occur in low-light hours, since the pedestrian when he gets off the car in the background is another pedestrian, "Morales said.