Retroreflective Tape: A Duty for All Trucking Companies?
As of 1993 , all heavy trailer manufacturers were mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to equip trailers at least 80 inches wide, with at least a 10,000 pound gross vehicle weight rating with red and white retroreflective tape and/or reflex reflectors around the sides and rear of the trailer.
The purpose of retroreflective tape and/or reflex reflectors are to make the trailers more conspicuous by increasing the visibility of heavy trailers to other motorists, especially after dark. The conspicuity tape brightly reflects vehicular headlamps providing an oncoming motorist the opportunity to see, perceive and react to an impending hazard. The same permits the oncoming motorist the ability to gauge distance and rate of approach to an oncoming commercial motor vehicle. In March 1999, the Federal Highway Safety Administration extended the conspicuity rules to include trailers manufactured prior to the 1993 rules enactment. Such trailers were required to have conspicuity markings prior to June 1, 2001. Between 2001 and June 1, 2009, there was flexibility as to the "terms and colors or color combinations" of the retroflective tape. Presently, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration requires that all tape conspicuity tape must be red-and-white pattern covering the full width of the vehicle and the full width of the underride guard. Several studies have been conducted regarding the effectiveness of conspicuity markings on commercial motor vehicle carriers.
The general conclusions are as follows: 1. Retroreflective tape is effective and significantly reduces the incidence of side and rear impact with commercial motor vehicle trailers in the dark (which group includes "dark not lighted", "dark lighted", "dawn" and "dusk"). 2. Retroreflective tape will save an estimated 191 to 350 lives per year. 3. Retroreflective tape will prevent between 3,100 to 5,000 injuries per year. 4. Retroreflective tape will prevent approximately 7,800 crashes per year. 5. Retroreflective tape is more effective in preventing crashes for drivers 15 to 50. 6. Retroreflective tape is more effective in preventing rear end impacts. 7. Retroreflective is effective in both clear and rainy/foggy weather conditions. 8. Retroreflective tape is especially effective on flatbed trailer, in part, because low profile vehicles are otherwise more difficult to visualize. 9. Retroreflective tape effectiveness is limited, in part, to whether it is clean, dirty and/or intact.
It is agreed that a standardized appearance of the retroflective tape will assist motorist to quickly recognize the image of the reflective tape on the trailer, even if the body itself is not visible. However, damaged or missing tape, weather and light conditions, road surface and location, speed limit and crash configuration affect conspicuity and the ability for another driver to see, perceive and react to a potential hazard in the roadway ahead.
The general incidence of investigated motor vehicle crashes involving conspicuity issues are as follows: Weekday - 88%. Clear Weather Conditions - 82%. Two or more motor vehicles - 72%. Speed Limit 50-70 MPH - 69%. Limited Access Roadway - 67%. United States or State Controlled Roadway - 42%. Drivers 31-50 years of Age - 38%.
Should you have a question about a truck, bus or other commercial motor vehicle crash resulting in serious personal injury or death, please contact Indianapolis, Indiana and North Carolina personal injury crash lawyer, Dan Chamberlain, 800-269-3443.
Doehrman & Chamberlain
10333 North Meridian Street Suite 100
Indianapolis, Indiana 46290