In our cars, it is necessary to carry various mandatory safety elements. One of them is the emergency triangles, which we have talked about in-depth, explaining how and when to use them. Another essential element for our safety, and mandatory equipment in all vehicles, is a high-visibility reflective vest. When should this high visibility vest be used? How many high visibility vests should you take in the car? Can I be fined if I don’t wear a high visibility vest? In this article, we solve all your doubts about this security element.
Is it mandatory to wear a high visibility vest in the car? How should the vest be?
The answer is a resounding yes. The high visibility vest is a mandatory security element in every vehicle. It is mandatory to carry it in the car since 2004, and its obligation is included in the Traffic Regulations of January 23, 2004, along with that of the emergency triangles. The vest must be red, yellow, or orange, and must equip at least two horizontal reflective bands, at least 5 centimeters. It must be certified according to the European standard EN-471 for use in tourism vehicles and industrial vehicles.
When should the high visibility vest be used?
If we are forced to stop our vehicle on an extra-urban road, either on the road itself or on the shoulder, we must get out of the car with the high-visibility vest on. Yes or yes. The most common situations in which we will be forced to use it will be in the event of a breakdown or accident, but we must always wear it if we leave the vehicle on any type of road, motorway or freeway. We must wear it when we go to put the emergency triangles and if we are standing or behind the guardrail – waiting for roadside assistance.
If it is winter and we must put the chains on the car, we must do it with a high visibility vest on. Think that thanks to this vest, we are visible to other drivers at distances of up to 150 meters. The high visibility vest can be carried stored anywhere in the vehicle, but we must leave the car with it on. Therefore, the trunk or spare wheel well would not be the best place to store it. The back of the seat, the door storage compartment, or the glove compartment are the most ideal places for storage.
The objective of the vest is for us to be visible to other drivers, both day and night, avoiding endangering our physical integrity.
How many reflective vests should we take in the car?
An important detail that we must take into account is that all people who leave the vehicle must necessarily wear a high visibility vest. In other words, we must wear a vest for each occupant of the vehicle – it doesn’t matter if we drive a seven-seater minivan. This is an important rule and requires those who do not have a high-visibility vest on. This provision should only be violated if occupants without vests are in physical danger – for example, if the car is smoking or on fire, or they are exposed to extreme weather.
Can I be fined for not wearing the high visibility vest?
If you leave the vehicle on an extra-urban road without a reflective vest on, you are exposed to a financial penalty of up to 200 euros – without removing points from your driving license. If you do not have a reflective vest in your car, you can purchase a vest approved for use in cars at just over eight euros.