Norway safety experts warn of expiring reflectors

As darkness increases during the autumn and winter months, safety organizations in Norway are warning the public that reflectors can expire and lose effectiveness. Experts from Tryg Forsikring note that a reflector's lifespan can be as short as one year if it is subject to significant wear and tear.

Data from Trygg Trafikk indicates that only 46 percent of adults in Norway use reflectors, a figure that drops to just 26 percent in Oslo. While adults are generally diligent about ensuring children wear reflectors, they often neglect their own visibility.

Using a functional reflector can increase visibility from 25–30 meters to 140 meters when a car uses low beams. This distance provides a driver traveling at 50 km/h approximately ten seconds to react, rather than only two seconds. To test a reflector, experts suggest shining a flashlight on both a new and an old reflector in a dark room to compare brightness.