Highway Safety Services

Legislation Update

There have been some important changes governing vehicle conspicuity by The Department for Transport. New EC legislation regarding truck conspicuity was introduced in October 2008. All of our high visibility products conform to the current legislation and DFT recommended best practice.

It is important for all road users that all working vehicles are highly visible and comply with safety regulations and guidelines. We have considerable knowledge and experience in this field and will be happy to help if you need further advice.

Chapter 8 of the Traffic signs Manual ( Traffic Safety Measures & Signs for Road Works & Temporary Situations ) was issued by the Department of Transport. It provides guidelines for companies operating on public highways on a range of issues – including High Visibility Markings. Section five (5.2 & 5.5 ) outlines what conspicuous markings are required on Vehicles that stop for work purposes or inspection purposes on all public highways. In addition to the specifications regarding the colour of the vehicle, Chapter 8 also sets out the requirements for rear reflective markings on all vehicles stopping on high speed roads.

It affects any operator of large or small vehicles from HGV’s to road maintenance trucks, small vans and cars that intentionally stop for work or inspection purposes on high speed roads.

There are, however generally speaking all vehicles must be marked up. Four marking options exist, but it is generally accepted that high visibility film markings maximise the benefits associated with being seen.

In addition, Maintenance vehicles need to have a Highway Maintenance sticker when they are working on motorways. These have to be of a certain size to comply with Chapter 8 Legislation. Also, in temporary traffic management situations, inspection, supervisory, maintenance and management vehicles require a Highway Maintenance sign that must be applied to the rear of the vehicle.

The high visibility film markings have to be on the rear of the vehicle. They should comprise of either of the following:

1. Chevron markings comprising alternate strips of fluorescent red retro-reflective material and fluorescent yellow non retro-reflective material of not less than 150mm width each, inclined at 45-60° to the horizontal and pointing upwards, or
2. A solid block of fluorescent orange-red retro-reflective material.

The markings should cover as much of the rear facing portion of the vehicle as possible without obscuring the windows, the vehicle’s lighting or it’s registration plates.

Red retro-reflective tape should also be applied to all rear facing edges of doors, rails or equipment lockers.

Help prevent accidents and safeguard your workforce

It is a proven fact that having rear safety markings on a vehicle will help to cut down fatalities and vehicle accidents. In addition, you not only protect your employees and your vehicle, you also protect your reputation as a responsible employer and operator.

Department for Transport Highways Agency guidelines

Department for Transport guidelines state that any vehicle, whether moving or stationary on the highway for work purposes should be of a conspicuous colour and carry high visibility rear safety markings.

Visibility and Conspicuity day and night

On vans and cars the safety markings comprise of red and yellow chevrons. They have two separate functions, the red is retro-reflective and is designed to make the vehicle visible at night, the yellow is fluorescent and is highly conspicuous under all daylight conditions, including when the light is poor, such as at dawn or dusk. The contrast of the two colours and the chevron patterning also help to increase the vehicle’s visibility.

HGV

In 2005 there were 595 fatal accidents between the rear or side of a HGV and another vehicle. Research indicates that 78 of these fatal accidents could have been avoided if conspicuity marking tape was fitted to all HGVs*. A report commissioned by the European Commission estimates that mandatory conspicuity markings could prevent 1055 fatalities or serious injuries across the EU each year.**

All new heavy goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 7500kg and trailers with a GVW exceeding 3500kg first registered after 10th July 2011, will be required to be fitted with conspicuity marking tape. In addition they are also required to carry rear marking plates which comply with UN ECE Regulation 70.01 or conspicuity marking tape.

Although currently these new regulations will only apply to certain types of new HGVs, there are moves afoot to make this mandatory for all HGVs, new or existing. Italy has already voluntarily instigated this. The UK government has targeted a 40% reduction in the number of people killed and seriously injured on UK roads by 2010. As a disproportionate amount of fatal road accidents involve an HGV (13% of all fatal casualties in road accidents involved an HGV, although HGV’s are just 1.2% of all UK licensed motor vehicles†), the mandatory requirement for conspicuity markings should make a significant contribution to that figure.