JULY 2011 - AMENDMENT TO CONTOUR MARKING LEGISLATION
Phase 1 - 10 October 2008
As of 10 October 2008, a new law has entered into force, also referred to as ‘Regulation 48’. This law stipulates that all new vehicles heavier than 7.5 tonnes must be fitted with retroreflective contour marking. New types of vehicles are considered to be vehicles for which manufacturers are requesting approval. This includes vehicle categories N2, N3, O3 and O4.
Phase 2 - 10 July 2011
The expansion of the law, phase 2, enters into force on 10 July 2011. From then on, not only are new types of vehicles included for which a manufacturer is requesting approval, but all new types of registered vehicles heavier than 7.5 tonnes. This expansion of the law also applies to vehicle categories N2, N3, O3 and O4.
N2: Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes.
N3: Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 12 tonnes.
O2: Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 0.75 tonnes but not exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
O3: Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 10 tonnes.
O4: Trailers with a maximum mass exceeding 10 tonnes.Contour or line marking?Regulation 48 also provides instructions for the marking method. The entire contour at the rear of the vehicle must be fitted with retroreflective tape. On the sides it is sufficient to cover the corners at the top and the line at the bottom (covering at least 80% of the length).The colours of the contour marking are also laid down in Regulation 48: yellow or red at the rear; yellow or white on the sides.
De advantages*
- Improved visibility of the vehicle, both moving and stationary;
- Improved estimation of distance and speed;
- Probability of side-impact accidents 37% less;
- Number of rear-end collisions 41% less;
- Optical improvement of the vehicle.
* source: NHTSA results of the study by the Transport Safety Board
Minimum requirements for maximum safety
Rear
Over width:
- Entire contour and as close as possible to the edge of the vehicle.
- The cumulative length of the marking must at least be 80% of the total width (rear) of the vehicle.
- Reflective logos or text at the rear are not permitted.
Sides
- For the sides, at least a single line must be fitted at the bottom, covering 80% of the overall length, excluding any horizontal overlaps.
- For motor vehicles this length must at least be 80% of the length of the vehicle, excluding the cabin.
- If the vehicle’s length is more than 6 metres, the corners at the top must also be marked.
- The marking is fitted as closely as possible to the edges of the vehicle and stops at less than 600
- millimetres from each edge of the vehicle (or the cabin for trailer tractor units).
Height
Bottom:
- The marking must be fitted as low as possible within the range:
- Minimum: 0.25 metres above the road surface
- Maximum: 1.50 metres above the road surface
A fitting height of 2.10 metres is accepted if it is technically impossible to stay within 1.50
Top:
- As high as possible, at least within 0,40 meters from the top of the vehicle.
