High-visibility clothing

A safety vest (also signal vest) is a vest in mostly yellow or orange fluorescent paint with retro reflective strips, which serves for better visibility of people. It was classified by October 2013 according to the EN 471. Since June 2013, the new EN ISO 20471 is valid, the current EN 471 lost the presumption of conformity according to the PPE Directive 89/686/EEC.

In road transport, it counts in some countries to the equipment to be carried in the vehicle. In Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain and Hungary, a reflective vest must be available for each person in the vehicle concept. In Germany the carriage of a safety vest is not yet compulsory only in commercial vehicles and only recommended for individuals. As the 48th Regulation amending road traffic regulations (Decision of the Federal Council of 5 July 2013) the carriage of a safety vest in all approved in Germany vehicles (cars, trucks, buses) is later than the July 1, 2014 in the Federal Republic of duty.

Safety vests are worn by workers, for example in road construction or by truck drivers. Especially on the motorway which has broken down or in a traffic accident, it is important to be seen from a great distance.

Reflective Jackets in Europe

• Germany: By no later than July 1, 2014 must in any vehicle an appropriate vest (European standard EN 471 ) may be present, it indicates the ADAC. The new regulation applies to all passenger cars, trucks and buses registered in Germany; Motorbikes remain the exception. Compulsory for all commercial, multi-track motor vehicles which are led by insured a professional association (except for vehicles in internal traffic and for vehicles that are equipped with radio and ready for the workshop trolley, so that the insured must carry out any repairs on these vehicles ). For vehicles in which are insured passenger regular, a vest must be carried on board for the passenger.
• Austria: The handlebars all -track vehicles (including ATVs, Micro Cars, tractors, etc. ) have since May 1, 2005, carry safety vests and wear these where they have to set up a warning triangle. On motorways or highways, they must in the event that the vehicle is parked for a breakdown or the like outside of designated parking spaces or rest homes, are also supported. Does not apply to motorcyclists.
• Belgium: since February 1, 2007 must be worn in case of accidents and mishaps of a vehicle (including motorcycle) outside built-up areas and on motorways.
• Finland: All drivers should wear clothing with reflective material if they have to leave the vehicle in the dark.
• France: From July 1, 2008 Mitführ and must be worn in case of accidents and mishaps of a vehicle (not valid for motorcycles, tricycles and quads ). Cyclists must wear a safety vest September 1, 2008 out of town at night or during the day when visibility is poor.
• Italy: Since April 1, 2004 must be worn in case of accidents and mishaps of a vehicle outside areas and on motorways. Does not apply to motorcyclists. If a warning triangle placed to secure the vehicle, the person who sets up the triangle must wear the safety vest. Cyclists must wear a safety vest on 1 August 2010 after dusk and in the tunnel during the day.
• Croatia: Carrying duty in case of accidents and mishaps of a vehicle outside areas and on motorways, for motorcyclists.
• Luxembourg: Since 2008, compulsory wearing in case of accidents or mishaps on the highway and on highways. Even pedestrians walking at the roadside of rural roads, at night or in poor visibility conditions must also during the day wearing a safety vest. The rule does not apply if an alternative option is on a bicycle or pedestrian walkway. Carrying requirement of a vest per seat (ie, 5 West for a "normal" cars)!
• Montenegro: Carrying duty in case of accidents and mishaps of a vehicle outside areas and on motorways. The obligation to carry is guaranteed because all motorists must pull the safety vest on the back of the driver's seat while driving.
• Norway: Since March 1, 2007 is only for vehicles with Norwegian motor vehicle license and carrying a Mitführ duty in case of accidents and mishaps of a vehicle outside areas and on motorways. Does not apply to motorcyclists.
• Portugal: Since June 25, 2005, not only for vehicles with Portuguese motor vehicle license a Mitführ and compulsory wearing, but for motorcyclists.
• Slovakia: Carrying duty in case of accidents and mishaps of a vehicle outside areas and on motorways, for motorcyclists.
• Spain: In Spain, compulsory wearing has applied since July 24, 2004 As an alternative to fluorescent safety vest are also braces admitted.. Does not apply to motorcyclists.
• Czech Republic: Mitführ and must be worn in case of accidents and mishaps of a private or commercial vehicle outside areas and on motorways. It must be available for each rider a vest.
• Hungary: are mandatory for all pedestrians since 2008 outside the local area and thus also for vehicle occupants, leaving their vehicle.

For all countries (except Germany ) that the use is only compulsory outside built-up areas. In detail, there are major differences in the rules of each country. In some countries, only a vest must be carried; in other must be present for each available seat, a safety vest. Another variety is the rule that no explicit Mitführverpflichtung, but a use obligation in the event of a breakdown or accident.

In Germany, the compulsory wearing is not due to a traffic law provision. However, the accident prevention regulations of the trade associations contains provisions for commercial, track vehicles. There must be at least a vest for the driver to vehicles which are regularly occupied by passengers, also for the passenger to be carried. The vest must be worn during repair work, towing or salvage operations on public roads. The non- carry and non-use are after the accident prevention regulation offenses within the meaning of the Social Security Code. You can be punished by the professional association to a fine.

In Austria, the accidents have until 2010, after four years of compulsory wearing, reduced due to the non-detection of subjects at night on the road by 39%. The number of casualties was reduced by as much as 53%. These results and a look analysis study, which was commissioned by the Ministry of Transport in order to constitute the basis of an initiative of the European automobile clubs to the European Parliament for a European-wide uniform rules.

Function

The safety vest combines two different functions for better visibility:

• In daylight the running in fluorescent color space uses the incident sunlight and appears particularly bright by UV light is converted by fluorescence in visible light. This works especially well in the twilight and in cloudy weather (because of the then higher proportion of short-wavelength light ).
• In darkness, the retroreflective elements throw incident light back towards the light source. For the warning function, therefore, the observer must be at a near ambient illuminating light source. For vehicles, this is given by the low beam, in other cases only at a suitable arrangement of the lighting.

In order to achieve the intended visibility, it is required that the safety vest worn closed. Most often this is done using a Velcro fastener on the front of the vest.

Standards and classes for high visibility clothing

Safety vests are regulated in the standards EN ISO 20471 and EN 1150. During EN 1150 for Visibility clothing for non-professional use (ie recreational use) applies, the EN ISO 20471 regulates warning clothing for professional use. The by October 2013 valid standard EN 471 describes three protection classes. Prescribed visibility clothing in traffic had usually meet at least Class 2. For the commercial breakdown service Automatic warning clothing in Class 3 is prescribed for people in the emergency service it is recommended.

For a safety vest to EN471 two circumferential, 50 mm wide reflective stripes were prescribed, while for clothing according to EN 1150 ( leisure applications ) is already sufficient, a single, 25 mm wide reflective stripes. The successor standard to EN ISO 20471 goes beyond the requirements of the EN 471 recent addition. In addition to running around the torso stripes, vertical stripes are required.

Other changes to EN ISO 20471 compared to EN 471 are the additional measurement of chromaticity and luminance of at least five wash cycles, the revision of the design requirements and changing test requirements.

Others use

As a function labeling

Occasionally, safety vests are used in different colors as well as marking the west, to identify leaders of the authorities and organizations with security tasks widely visible in use.

As a safety vest non-traffic

Safety vests are being used outside of road traffic for better visibility of people, for example in the railway, airports, construction sites and port areas or for folders in stages and as marking of press photographers.

When hunting

In the event of a community hunting safety vests are mandatory ( see § 4 para 12 UVV hunting). Not just for hunters and drivers, but also for dogs, there are now safety vests for hunting use. When push or drive hunts this the better differentiation between wild dog and serve.

Storage

Often you can see that the safety vest is hung in motor vehicles only over one of the seats. However, it must be remembered that the fibers when exposed to constant sunlight, lose their fluorescence properties in a short time and the safety vest loses its protective effect. In addition, may affect the action of the airbags mounted in the seat back in such a high visibility vests kept in a traffic accident. It makes more sense, so keep the vest in the glove compartment or in the side pocket of a door, where it is better protected against strong sunlight.

Difficulties in imports in Germany in the early days

In Germany existed with regard to the classification of safety vests in the period of the introduction of the compulsory carriage of safety vests in motor vehicles by the trade uncertainty as to whether the safety vests are to be declared as goods of plastics or textiles. The latter require the approval of imports from China.

In the following years were against those importers who had falsely declared, imposed partly high fines in five or even six figures. The expected profits from the business with the safety vests were thus not achieved in many cases.