IT PAYS TO BE SAFE
No. 25, June, 2010
Conspicuity
Under-ride accidents occur when a passenger vehicle strikes the rear or side portion of the trailer. This is usually as a result of the passenger vehicle driver's inability to perceive the trailer's presence in time. These accidents are extremely violent in nature, and often result in significant injuries and/or death to the passenger vehicle occupants. This week's It Pays to be Safe discusses a commercial motor vehicle's conspicuity requirements, which are intended to make a commercial motor vehicle, specifically the trailer, more visible to traffic during non-daylight hours.
Section 393.9 status that all lamps required by the federal regulations must be capable of being operated at all times. The lamps and reflective devices or material, such as retroreflective sheeting, cannot be obscured by the tailboard or by any part of the load. In addition, the lamps and retroreflective sheeting cannot be obscured by dirt, work equipment, or otherwise.
Section 393.11 indicates the specification requirements for lamps and reflective devices and associated equipment by the type of commercial vehicle. Table 1 of §393.11 provides the specific information as to what headlamps, tail lamps, clearance lamps and reflectors (and of what color) must be located on specific vehicles such as busses, trucks, tractors, converter dollies, pull trailers and projecting loads.
In addition to the required lighting systems, each trailer that is more than 80 inches in width, and has a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds manufactured after December 1, 1993, must be equipped with either retroreflective sheeting (i.e., the red and white reflective tape) that meets the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, or by a combination of the retroreflective sheeting and reflectors that meet the requirements of that same standard. Again, §393.11 includes a table as to where that retroreflective sheeting should be placed.
The lamps, reflectors and retroreflective sheeting are designed to specifically illuminate and reflect when headlights from an approaching vehicle strike them. This assists in providing dimension to your vehicle as well as alerting the oncoming driver of your trailer's presence. When conducting a pre-trip inspection, it is important for a commercial driver to remember to ensure that they properly inspect the presence, clarity and functionability of a commercial vehicle's lamps, reflectors and reflective sheeting for everyone's safety.
