ERR News – The new Traffic Act in Estonia requires all pedestrians to wear a reflector in conditions of inadequate visibility – theoretically enforced by a fine of up to 400 euros – but tourists may not be aware of the law.
Britain's Foreign and Com0monwealth Office and the US Department of State both have included information on their respective webpages, but on the ground in Estonia, no information is posted publicly – in the airport, port or street signs, Eesti Päevaleht reported.
Moreover, the information on the government websites quotes directly from the law, and states that the rule applies to pedestrians walking "on the road". But in Section 2 of the Traffic Act effective from July 2011, "road" is defined as any area open to pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
The Estonian Foreign Ministry does not provide information on the law.
The police say fining pedestrians is not currently top prio-rity. "There are certainly cases where pedestrians who are tourists do not have a reflector, but in such cases police simply direct the tourist's attention to the importance of visibility and warn them of the possible dangers," said Sirle Pai, a senior traffic officer with the North Prefecture.
