The reflective
lifejackets are mandatory to wear when you leave the car stopped outside
the towns and in conditions of poor visibility.
Reflective vest
for cars: obligation and penalties
The reflective
vest, also called a life-saving giblet, has been compulsory by law since 2004.
The Decree of December 30, 2003 of the Ministry of Infrastructures and
Transport establishes that those who leave a car in a stationary condition in
poor visibility conditions (low lighting, fog, snow or heavy rains) is required
to wear the jacket. It is advisable to keep the jacket placed in the vehicle,
possibly not in the luggage compartment, so that it is within reach for wearing
it before getting out of the car.
Reflective jacket,
which one to choose?
The Highway Code
foresees in article 162 the use of the reflective
vest or alternatively high visibility retro reflective braces.
How should the
jacket be?
The Decree of 2003
established that vests and braces must comply with the approval with the CE
mark and the initials UNI EN 471. It does not matter the color, which can be
yellow, orange or red, as long as it is fluorescent and has strips that reflect
light.
Obligation of the
reflective vest
Always the art 162
paragraphs 1 of the Highway Code impose the obligation of the reflective vest
to the drivers of all vehicles, excluding cycles, two-wheel mopeds and
motorcycles. In the standard quadricycles are not excluded, so for example
driving quads and mini-cars must have the jacket. This also applies to
foreigners, even if the decree focuses on vehicles registered in Italy, leaving
drivers of foreign vehicles the possibility of having a jacket that has not
been homologated.
Life jackets:
sanctions
It is advisable to
keep the reflective safety vest in the door in order to wear it even before getting
out of the car. Who transgresses the rule, can run into administrative
penalties ranging from 41.00 Euros to 169.00 Euros, which for the driver are
also to reduce 2 points from the license. In any case, it is not mandatory to
have the jacket in the car and show it during the checks, while it is for the
triangle.
