The EU use Unece regulation 104 for retro-reflective markings for vehicles of category M2 and M3 (transport of people), N (transport of good), O2, O3 and O4 (trailers). The EU use Unece regulation number 3 to categorize safety reflectors in several class: IA, IB, IIIA, IIIB and IVA.

In Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, pedestrians are required by law to wear safety reflectors when walking during dark conditions. There are other standards for other types of reflectors such as safety vests and reflectors on bicycles. This standard is specifically for 'loose, reflective accessories for personal use'. Within the European Union, safety reflectors for pedestrians must be certified to comply with the CE EN 13356 safety standard. European regulations Reflector for vulnerable users and non motorized vehicles On first November 1963, Unece regulation number 3 entered into force in its original version. Special 'clip-on' reflectors for bicycles and other human-powered vehicles are also common. Nowadays one can find reflectors of all possible shapes and colours, as design and fashion industries have turned their faces towards this diminutive gadget. Reflectors were introduced to Finns in 1960.

The inventor did not consider pedestrian safety when creating the first reflectors: he simply wished to protect his horse carts and carriages. Arvi Lehti from Pertteli, a small township in Western Finland. The reflector is a Finnish creation, invented by a farmer Mr. In January 1943, a US highway patrolman Raymond Trask proposed the concept of the single cataphote for pedestrians to help them be visible for drivers in a Popular Science publication. On first January 1950, safety catadioptre were made mandatory on the rear side of French vehicles. In 1946, French regulation for catadioptre was NF R 143 11. The same year, cataphote were sold for motorized vehicles, motorbikes, bicycles and any kind of trailers. In 1927, fines were given in France to car owners which did not have the cataphote made mandatory by law. In 1926, an automobile club, the Touring-Club de France, offered 180 signals with triangular cataphote to warn for the presence of the level crossings. On 12 March 1925, the minister, the Réseau du Nord railway company and the Touring-Club de France experienced the use of cataphotes to make level crossings visible by night. It was used for aviation, safety in Switzerland and advertising in France.

The cataphote was also invented by Garbarini by combining a convex lens and concave mirror. The reflector was first invented in 1917 in Nice by Henri Chrétien to provide the army a communication system the enemy could not intercept. ( February 2021) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message) Please help to ensure that disputed statements are reliably sourced. Relevant discussion may be found on Talk:Safety reflector. This section's factual accuracy is disputed. Reflectors are expected to increase visibility and contribute to safety. In motorcycles, automobiles, and other vehicles, reflectors are built into the front and rear ends (and sides) next to the headlights and brake lights.įatal traffic accidents at night often involve vehicles with drivers who fail to see pedestrians or bicyclists until they are too close to avoid collision. In bicycles, reflectors are usually on wheels, pedals, under the seat, on the back of the luggage rack, and in front of the front fork.

For vehicles, the reflector is usually a fixed part. Unlike reflective stripes that are permanently fixed to clothing, the safety reflector is a stand-alone device that can be attached to any article of clothing as needed, often using a safety pin and some string. Safety reflectors are especially useful where there are no streetlights. They are sometimes erroneously called luminous badges or luminous tags, but this is incorrect as they do not themselves produce light, but only reflect it.Ī safety reflector aids visibility of a person or vehicle visible to on the road, as it reflects light from headlights of vehicles. A safety reflector is similar to reflective stripes that can be found on safety vests and clothing worn by road workers and rescue workers. A safety reflector is a retroreflector intended for pedestrians, runners, motorized and non-motorized vehicles.

Bike reflector