Drivers see it very differently than you. When you wear a safety reflector, a driver with normal headlights (low beam) can see it from over 500 feet. The microprism structure of the reflective layer reflects all light back to where it came from, which is to the car and the driver. Very little of the light is scattered in your direction. That’s why you don’t see how bright the safety reflector can be when you wear it yourself.
Here are a few ways to test it:
- Hang the reflector somewhere (preferably outside at dusk or when it’s dark) and take a photo with flash ON (a smartphone works great). See how far back you can go and still see it on the photo.
- Hang the reflector up along the road (for example in a bush or on a stick) and drive by. Make sure the reflector is facing the car or can dangle freely.
- Take a flash light and hold it close to your eyes (preferably hold it right in front of your nose, as if you are Pinocchio). Shine the flash light on the reflector, which should be at least 10 feet away. If it is dark enough (like dusk or darker) you will see the reflector turning bright white.
