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UN ECE 104 is a new regulation that establishes guidelines allowing the use of
retroflective markings on long and heavy vehicles operating throughout Europe.
It not only provides recommendations for the implementation of retroflective safety
(conspicuity) markings, but also retroflective corporate and advertising graphics.
Already introduced in a number of EU countries, UN ECE 104 is expected to be
adopted through Europe in the coming years.

"Recently released Government statistics show that in 2002 HGVs represented just 1.4% of all motor vehicles on the road in the UK, yet they were involved in 16% of fatal crashes, a 6% increase since 2001. Furthermore, around 40% of all accidents occur during times of limited naturally light when vehicles should be clearly visible if a crash is to be prevented. If the Government is to maintain progress towards its road safety targets then it should take action to reduce crashes involving HGVs and to make these vehicles more visible to other road users.

"One simple action it could take would be to mandate that all new HGVs be fitted with side and rear retro-reflective tape meeting the latest standard laid down in UNECE Regulation 104. In the UK in 2001 there were around 9000 collisions where an HGV was struck by another vehicle, 34% of which involved the HGV being hit on the side. A study conducted in the US found that 41% of all side and rear collisions involving HGVs could be avoided if retro-reflective tape was fitted. In the UK this would only cost around £100, on a truck costing around £100,000, an insignificant increase of 0.1%.

"The Italian Government has recently decided to implement ECE 104 to improve road safety and a number of responsible UK companies already fit this tape voluntarily. We believe mandating this in the UK could reduce crashes involving HGVs, particularly as driving conditions worsen during winter months."

Possible injuries, compensations, insurance claims, paperwork, time off road, missed deliveries, repairs costs, insurance premium hikes, etc etc, even if IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT !!!

A small price to pay to increase the Safety of you and your drivers, and others on the road.

We supply only the finest quality reflective materials. 3M Diamond/983 grade usually.

Please use the following table to estimate the quantities required for these different vehicles, assuming a full quota of Red Yellow and White are used.

Using 3M products means you have a 5-7 year guarantee if the tapes are properly applied.

Vehicle	Red (Rear)	Yellow (Side)	White (Front)	Total (m)

Transit or equivalent	7m	4m	2m	13m
HGV3 or equivalent	12m	10m	6m	28m
HGV1 Cab	4m	4m	6m	14m
HGV Trailer	16m	16m	n/a	32m