ITV Campaign January 2020

ITV Campaign January 2020

The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has just finished a campaign using 30 licence plate readers. The campaign ran for a week finishing on Sunday 26th January.

Statistics indicate that the risk of death or serious injury is double when vehicles of 10 to 15 years old are involved compared with cars under five years of age. Clearly the continual improvement in driver and passenger safety measures will play its part. However, maintenance of older vehicles is also an important factor.

30 cameras used to check valid ITVs

The Guardia Civil used the cameras along with local and regional police to read number plates and check the vehicle had a valid ITV certificate in place, similar to an MOT in the UK. The authorities then reproted vehciles without an uptodate ITV. The frequency of ITV tests depends on the age and type of vehicle you are using.

Importance of tyre tread

One of the important features of safety is the tyres. These are after all what helps keep the vehicle on the road. The recommended minimum of tread is 3mm although the legal minimum amount of tyre tread is 1.6mm. Incorrect tyre pressure, damaged or faulty suspension and bad wheel alignment can cause additional tyre wear.

Headlights

Other important elements that are regularly left for another day are vehicle lights. Not only do the lights help us see in poor conditions and at night they also help other drivers see us.

Over time lights lose their intensity. It is suggested they be changed every 40 kilometres or two years, whichever is the sooner. You should change both headlights at the same time is also the recommended advice. In a lot of cases their use is symmetrical.

Windscreen damage is usually repaired for free

It is also advisable to check your windscreen. With most insurers now offering a fast and free windscreen replacement service there really is little excuse not to get a crack repaired or replaced. You can often drive into a place like CarGlass or CristalBox and give them your insurance details and they will check with the insurer for you.

Remember if you have paid for your ITV to keep the sticker in the front windscreen. This is a legal requirement.

Source: DGT.es

Intelligent system aid for driving

Intelligent system aid for driving

The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) and the City of Barcelona have united to present new features in the implementation of the Autonomous Ready system of driving assistance.

The aim is to drastically reduce the accident rate in urban environments. The project has implemented cutting edge safety devices in vehicles. This takes into account the EU legislation that will come into force in 2022.

250 vehicles in the scheme

170 vehicles in fleets and 79 buses are already using artificial vision cameras that interpret the environment and emit sound and visual alerts in real time. The idea is to prevent collisions, detect the presence of pedestrians, cyclists and other obstacles, even in low light conditions.

The devices emit information that will allow the identification of points of risk in the city. In turn this will allow for the improvement of the road infrastructure. Additionally, the data collected can advance the research and development of the autonomous vehicle.

Human errors

The DGT, taking into account that 90% of traffic accidents are due to human errors, focuses initiatives such as Autonomous Ready within the “safe system” approach. This approach aims that human errors, sometimes inevitable, do not end in tragedy. It pursues a multidisciplinary model. This looks at roads, behaviour, speed and vehicles, so that the negative effects of these errors can be minimised.

The sytsem helps to prevent distractions from resulting in an accident or collision, providing an environment of “indirect security” to vulnerable users. This group make up more than 80% of the deaths that occur in the city due to traffic accidents.

Scheme expansion

During this year 2019 it is planned that 530 more systems will be installed in fleet vehicles and 105 in urban buses. This will be increased until it is implemented in 5,000 vehicles which circulate in the city of Barcelona. Any public or private fleet can participate in the Autonomous Ready project.

Source: DGT