Reflective tapes, which pedestrians should wear under reduced visibility outside the village, do not always perform their function. This is claimed by the Czech Trade Inspection Authority, according to which half of the sold samples do not have the required properties and are thus practically unnecessary. The light does not reflect sufficiently and the driver cannot see the pedestrian in time.
“The Czech Trade Inspection Authority inspected 37 reflective tapes, of which 33 violated the law. Most often, it was the fact that reflective tapes do not have sufficient retro-reflective materials,” said Czech Trade Inspection Authority spokesman Frohlich.
“The quality difference between the tapes can be up to sixty-fold. If they are of poor quality, then we see the one who moves outside the illuminated area sixty times worse,” said Igor Sirota, spokesman for the Central Automobile Club.
The inspectors awarded fines in the total amount of CZK 300,000 for the sale of low-quality reflective tapes. The Czech Post also had to pay. Although it was selling quality but not CE marked.
“Of course, we paid the fine with the fact that we claimed the tapes at our supplier. He supplied the correctly labeled tapes and paid the fine,” said Czech Post spokesman Matyas.
And even if you have a quality reflective tape, it’s important that you place it in a prominent position. Top on hand and foot towards the road.