Reflective vest – in Poland, passenger car drivers do not have to have it, but they should. It costs only PLN 7-10 and can save a life. In most European countries, reflective vests are mandatory equipment for cars and trucks (in some also motorcycles).
From 1 July, the obligation to have a vest was introduced in Germany. Its lack means a mandate of 15 Euros. The obligation applies only to drivers of cars registered in Germany, but for the sake of their own safety, it is also worth respecting them with us. In countries where vests are compulsory, they must be worn whenever the driver and passengers have to leave the vehicle, for example as a result of a breakdown or accident, on a highway or other road – except of course parking lots.
Reflective vests are already valid in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic (applies to foreigners), Croatia, Finland (you can have reflective stripes), France, Spain, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and in Italy. The regulations are not uniform – in one country, you only need one vest in the car and in others, and all passengers must have it. In some countries, this obligation also applies to motorcyclists and cyclists, if they are traveling on roads after dusk.
We advise you not to look for loopholes and apply the maximum variant – take as many retro-reflective vests as possible for the number of passengers traveling. The vest costs from 7 to 10 zlotys. You can buy it at every gas station, in supermarkets, on the internet. Let us just remember to meet the norm – reflective vests are allowed in 3 colors: yellow, orange or red-orange. It must also have 2 reflective stripes at the front and back.
When buying vests, do not forget about children, in the event of a car breakdown or an accident, they will be particularly vulnerable. Reflective vests must be carried in the cabin of the car, and not – as most drivers do – in the trunk. The idea is to be able to put on a high visibility vest before leaving the car. We would also like to remind you: in the event of a breakdown or accident, a warning triangle should be put in front of the car; passengers should get out of the car not on the road, only on the right side, on the roadside. It is not allowed to stay on the road without having to go down to the side or the barrier as soon as possible.