REFLECTIVE VESTS AS MANDATORY EQUIPMENT FOR THE CAR
In recent years, there have been reports that the reflective vest has disappeared from mandatory equipment , but this is only half true. In Decree No. 206/2018 Coll. is the reflective vest really crossed out (therefore you cannot be accused of missing the vest in the car on the MOT), but at the same time Act No. 361/200 Coll. About road traffic, according to which the driver is obliged to wear a reflex road when moving on the roads. It follows that you must have a reflective vest in the car .
Number of reflective vests in the car
According to the law, only the driver must wear a reflective vest, so it is enough to have one reflective vest in the car. However, we recommend carrying as many vests in the car as there are passengers in the car in case all passengers have to get off.
Where to keep the reflective vest
Each vest should be within reach for immediate use – it is impossible for a driver on the road to get out and go to the trunk for a vest. Every passenger, including the driver, should have a vest within easy reach , ideal is the door, the box next to the passenger or under the seat.
What should a reflective vest look like?
The vest should be fluorescent yellow or orange-red in color and must be equipped with retroreflective strips . Everything must be properly placed on the vest and done in a sufficient area. When choosing, look for information that the vest corresponds to the harmonized European standard EN ISO 20471:2013.
Reflective vests in Austria, Germany, France, Slovenia, Italy and Slovakia
In 2020, a reflective vest is only mandatory for drivers in Austria , the use of vests is only recommended for other passengers in the car. The color can be orange, yellow or red . In Germany , it is mandatory to have a reflective vest only for drivers of vehicles registered in Germany. In contrast, in France , Slovenia, Italy or Slovakia, you are required to have reflective vests for everyone in the car . In these countries, it is also not allowed to have a green reflective vest, which is reserved for police officers.
WARNING CLOTHING FOR SAFE WORK
Many workers need to be equipped with high-visibility clothing according to the EN ISO 20471:2013 standard when performing their work . This applies mainly to workers moving on roads when working on transport systems, markings, engineering networks, cleaning ditches, or when maintaining greenery near roads. The law describes exactly what is the necessary combination of protective clothing that workers must wear in order to perform these jobs (protective overalls, trousers with bibs, jackets, etc.).
HOW ABOUT REFLECTIVE VESTS FOR MOTORBIKES, BIKES OR RUNNING
A reflective vest on a motorcycle is not mandatory, just like in a car, but since bikers are among the relatively vulnerable road users, the use of reflective elements is highly recommended. It could be a reflective jacket, pants, or vest, but none of that is specified.
Reflective reflectors , which can be replaced with reflective clothing, are part of the mandatory equipment on the bike. Although clothing with reflective elements is not enforced by law, it is highly recommended, as it can increase the cyclist’s safety , especially in bad conditions . The same applies to runners who move along the roads.