Safety first! Vehicle graphics to stop traffic

Following ‘Chapter 8’ guidance from UK Government

We see ourselves as rule-makers rather than rule-breakers! The requirement to kit out certain work vehicles with safety graphics isn’t law, it’s guidance, but we’ve made our own rule on this one …

Do not allow people who work by roads to get run over!

To live up to this mantra we follow a few simple steps as recommended by (not legislated by) the Department for Transport’s (DFT) Traffic Sign Manual. It’s a hefty read, but if you’re really interested, take a look at chapter 8, which covers traffic safety measures and signs for road works and temporary situations. Or just read below to learn how we help our customers keep their teams safe.

Conspicuous chevron markings on vehicles by roads

Vehicles that need to intentionally stop to work by fast moving roads, should have specific chevron markings on the back. We use industry-approved chevron kits to make sure the markings follow best practice guidance. They are designed to be reflective and make a vehicle by the side of the road stand out.

Location of chevron markings on vehicles

We make sure our vehicle graphics that include chevron markings cover as much of the rear-facing portion of the vehicle as possible. We help our customers to understand the safest way to apply chevrons based on their vehicle type. We’ve done it countless times and understand the guidelines so you don’t have to!

To really stand out, chevron markings should comprise of alternate strips of red retro-reflective material and fluorescent yellow non retro-reflective material of not less than 150mm width each, inclined at 45-60° to the horizontal and pointing upwards. Alternatively they can be a block of red retro reflective material.

Durable materials from 3M to keep your vehicle visible for longer

We’re fastidious about materials and prefer to use 3M reflectives. This means that the graphics will stay stuck and looking good for longer. The non retro-reflective material is specified to class R3B. R3B standard materials have reflective properties that ensure that the vehicle will be more visible in all weather conditions.

It may not be law, but many organisations have stringent health and safety guidance that encourages adhering to the DFT recommendations. Whether you’re operating on motorways or just roads around town, talk to us about how to make sure your fleet or vehicle is keeping your workforce safe.