3M Traffic Safety Systems

Improved night time visibility for HGV's will reduce accidents

3M is encouraging heavy goods vehicle (HGV) operators to concentrate on the importance of road safety as every year in the UK approximately 600 fatal accidents involve HGVs in rear or side impact with another vehicle. Research suggests that up to 12 per cent of these could have been avoided if conspicuity marking tape had been fitted, making these vehicles more visible to other road users, especially at night.

Although the implementation of European Regulation ECE104 for the use of retro reflective markings on vehicles has been delayed until 2013, we urged 3M to continue to encourage HGV operators to act now by using conspicuity markings on HGVs and trailers as part of good safety practice.