Reflective tape plays a crucial role in reducing rear-end collisions by increasing the visibility of vehicles, especially those that make frequent stops in or near moving traffic. By enhancing vehicle conspicuity, reflective tape provides other drivers with more reaction time, allowing them to notice and react more effectively to the presence of the vehicle ahead. This increased visibility significantly reduces rear-end collisions, as drivers are better able to see and respond to slower or stopped vehicles in front of them.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a study on the effectiveness of retroreflective tape, particularly on heavy trailers, applied to enhance visibility and reduce side and rear impacts by other vehicles during dark conditions. The study, based on a statistical analysis of over 10,000 crash cases investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Pennsylvania State Police, showed that retroreflective tape substantially improves road safety.
The results of the study showed that the retroreflective tape reduced side and rear impacts into trailers by 29% in dark conditions, including “dark-not-lighted,” “dark-lighted,” “dawn,” and “dusk.” Specifically, in “dark-not-lighted” conditions, the tape reduced side and rear impact crashes by an impressive 41%. The tape in the study was a 2 inch wide, red and white block pattern. It would be reasonable to assume that wider widths of tape in more vivid colors and more conspicuous patterns would create higher visibility and result in greater reductions.
Another study in Ohio demonstrated the visual effectiveness of bright chevron panels on school buses during daylight, dawn, and dusk conditions. In this study, a researcher observed a school bus for five days on its route, recording 15 cars passing around the bus illegally at moderate to high speeds while the bus was stopped with its STOP sign, pedestrian safety arm, and flashing lights activated. After confirming this data, highly reflective Fluorescent Orange and Fluorescent Lime Chevron Panels were affixed to the back of the bus. The same bus with the new reflective chevron panel was followed for another five-day period under equivalent weather and lighting conditions. During this second five-day period, only three cars were observed passing the bus illegally, an 80% reduction. Since the vivid chevron panel was the only change, it is safe to conclude that the increased visibility alerted distracted drivers, who then stopped. In other words, the bright reflective chevron panel achieved its goal of enhancing conspicuity.
Our internal study, based on polling fleet managers that have outfitted their fleets with vivid Fluorescent Lime and Red, or Fluorescent Lime and Bright Orange panels shows a decrease of 60% to 80% in collisions for vehicles with the panels versus without. The size of the bright reflective chevron panels on these vehicles varied from 3 square feet to 6 square feet. The fleets we studied varied from Water Companies, State DOT Agencies, Municipal Public Works, Oil Service Industries, Utilities, Service Industries, Street Sweepers, Interstate Right Of Way Maintenance Companies, Cable Companies and Road Assistance Fleets (road rangers). All of these fleets are comprised of vehicles that either start and stop in traffic, or are parked near fast moving traffic. All saw a reduction in accidents.
We have also polled fleets who chose to use other color combinations of reflective colors, such as white and red, white and orange, fluorescent orange and black, fluorescent lime and black, fluorescent lime and medium green, and school bus yellow and black. On average, all safety managers polled reported a marked improvement in visibility and safety for their fleet, and all felt better about the safety of their drivers.
These visibility enhancement methods are effective both day and night across various sectors, including fire services, emergency response, buses, work trucks, vans, and other vehicles where safety depends on visibility. Such vehicles frequently stop and start, often in hazardous areas close to fast-moving traffic, putting nearby workers at risk. In these scenarios, collisions can be catastrophic. The school bus example illustrates the grave risks of overlooking a stopped vehicle, which can be fatal.
To summarize, extensive research indicates that improving vehicle visibility by applying bright reflective tape on the rear, sides, and front significantly lowers the risk of rear-end collisions, thereby making roads safer for everyone.