Reflectors installed behind trucks help other drivers know that there is a large vehicle in front of them. How Retro-Reflective Tape Prevents Truck Accidents Getting involved in a truck accident after failing to install reflective tape behind the vehicle may lead to a heated legal battle. Commercial trucks have a legal requirement to prevent accidents on the road as much as possible. In addition, truck operators need to install reflective tape for their large vehicles to comply with the law. This measure ensures that commercial trucks are visible on the road, especially at nighttime. Why the DOT Reflective Tape Requirements for Trucks ExistĭOT reflective tape requirements for trucks exist for safety reasons. Silver or White: You must use 12 inches of silver or white reflective tape to cover the trailer’s upper rear side, forming an inverted letter “L” on both sides.Red and White: You must use red and white reflective tape on the trailer’s entire lower rear bar, the whole bottom of the back, and at least half of the total side length.These requirements specify that operators must use the following reflective tape colors to cover specific parts of their trailer’s rear: To improve its initiative in preventing accidents related to commercial motor vehicles, the DOT outlines and enforces the requirements through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ( FMSCA). There are specific guidelines when it comes to putting reflective tape on trucks. Here is a closer look into the DOT reflective tape requirements to ensure your trucking operation’s safety. This initiative requires the rear of each trailer weighing more than 10,001 lbs (4,536 kg) to have reflective tape to make them more visible at night. Although this figure was a 2% increase from the past year’s crash data, the DOT remains committed to increasing road safety.Īmong its initiatives is the retro-reflective sheeting requirement for all semi-trucks and large rigs. Did you know that 5,237 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal accidents in 2019? This statistic comes from the annual reports of the U.S.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |