US study underlines value of reflectors
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• Trailers displaying reflective strips are 18% less likely to be involved in accidents, according to a two-year study by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The research involved 4,000 trailers, half of them fitted with reflective strips. Trailers with strips were 21% less likely to be in an accident at night and 16% safer during the day.
Following the report, the NHTSA has ruled that all US trailers made after 1 December 1993 must carry reflective markings. These strips have been a legal requirement in the Irish Republic since 1970; in the UK vehicles over 6m long and trailers over 5m long must be fitted with two amber side reflectors.
Eighteen months ago Bedfordshire became one of the first councils to promote the use of reflective strips following a spate of side-impact accidents (CM 8-14 April 1993).
Since then there have been two fatal accidents in the county which could have been prevented if reflective strips had been used says Malcolm Mugridge, a research engineer in the council's safety engineering team.
For the past 18 months 3M, which markets the Diamond Grade reflective strip, has been calling on insurance companies to reduce premiums for operators who fit their vehicles with reflective strips. Equipping a 38-tonner costs from ,£100.