In road traffic, visibility in the dark is of crucial importance - for drivers, but also for pedestrians, cyclists and especially for children. The safety vest has established itself as an effective means of being seen more quickly in dangerous situations such as a breakdown or an accident.
But a recent study by the ÖAMTC and its partner organizations shows alarming results: Of the 25 safety vests tested, only ten models meet the necessary safety requirements. What is particularly problematic is that many of these vests fail to meet the crucial reflective strength requirement - a circumstance that could have far-reaching consequences for the safety of users.
Test procedure and results: Why many vests fail
Last year, the ÖAMTC, in collaboration with partners, tested the reflective strength of 14 different safety vests. At that time, it emerged that 30 percent of the models did not meet the safety requirements. This year, the test was expanded to 25 vests - a step that led to even more alarming results. Only ten of the vests tested passed the test, while 15 models reflected inadequately or not at all. According to ÖAMTC technician Steffan Kerbl This is “completely unacceptable”, especially since a safety vest ensures one’s own safety and is intended to ensure early visibility, especially in the dark.
“If the vest does not fulfil its function and you rely on a false sense of security, the consequences in road traffic can be fatal,” Kerbl continues. This applies not only to car driverwho have to leave the vehicle after a breakdown or an accident, but also for Fußgänger, Cyclist and especially for Childwho wear a safety vest to increase their visibility.
Differences between online and retail purchases
As part of the test, 25 vests for adults and children were tested. Of these, 20 models were tested over large Online portals ordered, while five products directly in the Retail were bought, including at discount stores. The results showed a remarkable difference: All high-visibility vests from retail stores met the applicable safety standards. In contrast, 75 percent of the vests ordered online had serious deficiencies in their reflection. This finding highlights the potential insecurities involved in purchasing over the Internet.
“All vests purchased in retail stores met the standards, while the online vests in many cases did not meet expectations,” explained Steffan KerblIt is particularly important for consumers to online purchase to the indication of the relevant Norms For adult vests this is the norm EN ISO 20471, for children's vests the standard applies EN 17353Many of the online vests tested did not contain this important information, which called into question the quality and safety standards of the products.
Self-test: How to check the reflectivity of your safety vest
If you want to be on the safe side, you can check the reflectivity of a safety vest yourself. ÖAMTC technician Steffan Kerbl explains that this can be done with simple means: "If you shine a flashlight or the light from your smartphone directly onto the vest at eye level, it should reflect bright white at a distance of around three meters." Such a self-testing procedure Any consumer can carry out this test to ensure that the vest meets the safety requirements.
The effect of the reflective strip is crucial for visibility in the dark. The colour of the vest – yellow, orange or red – does not matter, as long as the reflective strips meet the prescribed standards. These colors are primarily used for visibility in daylight.
Why reflection is so important: Road safety
The importance of the ability to reflect for one’s own safety cannot be emphasized enough. properly reflective safety vest can be seen in the dark with dipped headlights from over 100 meters. An inadequately reflective vest, on the other hand, could reduce visibility to just a few meters. This has dramatic effects, especially in dangerous traffic situations. The high-visibility vest becomes an important protective factor, particularly at dusk or in bad weather conditions, when visibility is already limited. Anyone who relies on cheap products or unsafe online purchases risks undermining the functionality of the vest and endangers their own safety.
What should consumers pay attention to?
It is therefore important for consumers to be particularly careful when purchasing a safety vest. online buyers should make sure that the vest meets the required standards and is well made. A look at the packaging and a self-test can help to check the safety before using it for the first time.
It also shows that retail products perform better in terms of reflection strength than many online models. The ÖAMTC recommends using products with clearly marked Norms and trust the proven brands. Even if it seems tempting to save money when shopping online, security is an invaluable asset that should not be neglected.
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