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Introduction to Sign Retroreflectivity

Why My Agency?

Graph of fatalities per million miles of travel for the year 2000. Nighttime almost three; daytime just over one. Source: National Safety Council

Highway statistics nationwide reveal that the nighttime crash rate is nearly three times that of the daytime crash rate, and nighttime crashes are typically more severe and/or fatal. Retroreflective traffic control devices provide safer navigation of the highway for all drivers. Every public agency responsible for maintaining public highways and streets are affected by this new rule making, and are required to use retroreflective materials.

In addition to higher nighttime crash rates, providing better nighttime visibility of traffic signs is becoming increasingly important as the older driver population continues to increase.