As daylight hours shorten, the problem of road traffic accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists not equipped with retroreflective elements becomes more acute.
From the driver's seat, objects without active lighting on the roadway merge with the darkness and become practically invisible. Furthermore, the driver may be blinded by the headlights of oncoming vehicles.A pedestrian or cyclist illuminated by an approaching car may believe they are visible to the driver. However, this is not the case! A person on the roadway becomes visible at a distance of 25-30 metres at best. At a speed of 90 km/h, a car covers this distance in about one second! Even at a speed of 50 km/h, the stopping distance exceeds this range.
Therefore, it is extremely important to use retroreflectors, and to do so correctly.
GAI (State Automobile Inspectorate) tips for placing reflectors:
- The retroreflector should be clearly visible from all sides;
- Tie the reflective tape around your sleeve or trousers, and attach the pendant to your clothing, briefcase, or bag;
- It is optimal to use two or more reflectors simultaneously;
- White, lemon, yellow – these retroreflector colours meet the requirements and will effectively signal your presence on the road to the driver;
- During darkness on rural roads, cyclists are obliged to wear clothing or special vests with retroreflective inserts.
The use of retroreflective elements is an effective way to enhance your safety on the roads.