There is one main objective - reduce the number of accidents during low light conditions which involve trucks and trailers.

The guideline provides for greater road traffic safety through visibility, with improved recognition and conspicuity at night - which is good news for drivers and their vehicles. From July onwards, all commercial vehicles will be required to be fitted with prominent retroreflective marking tapes. The life-preserving measure represents an important step in terms of reducing the risk of accidents still further and making road transport even safer.

With Italy, Romania, Poland and Slovakia having led the way, marking tapes will become mandatory in Germany and many other countries starting in July. The ruling applies to all newly registered commercial vehicles of 7.5 tons or more, and to trailers of 3.5 tons and above. Reflective materials, which must comply with regulation ECE 48-03 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), will have to be applied to the sides and rear of all relevant vehicles. The move finally acknowledges that marking tapes significantly reduces the numbers of accidents for long articulated vehicles and lorries - a fact demonstrated in several surveys, including the Darmstadt study in Europe. For Reflexite, combining safety with the needs of users in order to maximise the benefit to the client is top priority.

Several studies have been made, documenting the positive effects of the conspicuity markings. The NHTSA study estimated no less than a 41% potential reduction in the above type of accidents.

Being seen is being safe.