When do I have to wear the high visibility vest
In our cars, it is necessary to carry various mandatory security items. One of them is the emergency triangles, which we have talked about in-depth, explaining how and when to use them. Another essential element for our safety, and mandatory equipment in every vehicle, is a high visibility reflective vest. When should this high visibility vest be used? How many high visibility vests should you take in the car? Can I be fined if I don't wear the high visibility vest? In this article, we solve all your doubts about this security element.
Is it mandatory to wear a high visibility vest in the car?
The answer is a resounding yes. The high visibility vest is a mandatory safety element in every vehicle. It is mandatory to carry it in the car since 2004, and its mandatory nature is included in the Traffic Regulations of January 23, 2004, together with that of carrying at least two warning triangles.
How should the vest be?
The vest must be red, yellow or orange, and must have at least two horizontal reflective bands, at least 5 centimeters high. It must be certified according to the European standard EN-471 for use in passenger cars and industrial vehicles.
When should the high visibility vest be used?
If we are forced to stop our vehicle on an extra-urban road, either on the road itself or on the shoulder, we must get out of the car with the high visibility vest on. Yes or yes. The most common situations in which we will be forced to use it will be in case of breakdown or accident, but we must always wear it if we leave the vehicle on any type of road, highway, or highway. We must wear it when we go to put the emergency triangles and if we are standing or behind the guardrail - waiting for roadside assistance, for example.
If it is winter and we must put the car chains on, we must do it with a high visibility vest on. Remember that thanks to this vest, we are visible to other drivers at distances of up to 150 meters. The high visibility vest can be stored anywhere in the vehicle, but we must get out of the car with it on. Therefore, the trunk or the spare wheel well would not be the best place to store it. The rear part of the seat, the storage compartment in the doors, or the glove compartment are the most ideal storage places.
The objective of the vest is that we are visible to other drivers, both day and night, avoiding endangering our physical integrity.
How many reflective vests should we carry in the car?
An important detail that we must take into account is that all people who leave the vehicle must wear a high visibility vest. That is, we must wear a vest for each occupant of the vehicle - it does not matter if we drive a seven-seater minivan. This is an important rule and requires those who do not have a high visibility vest to stay inside the vehicle. This rule should only be violated if the occupants without a vest are in physical danger - for example, if the car is smoking or on fire, or they are exposed to extreme weather.
