Safe not only in fog and darkness
Safe not only in fog and darkness
As the days grow shorter, with the sun rising later and setting earlier, weather conditions like fog, rain, and overcast skies further reduce visibility. It’s no surprise that the autumn and winter months are especially dangerous for traffic accidents and other road incidents. Wearing high-visibility clothing is a proven way to prevent such accidents, and for some professions, it’s even mandatory. Reflective clothing and accessories are also highly effective in keeping people safe.
The data is clear. According to the Transport Research Center, up to 70% of fatal pedestrian accidents on the road occur during reduced visibility, with October to February being the riskiest months. Dark clothing can act like an invisibility cloak, visible only up to 20 meters away. At 50 km/h, drivers don’t have enough time to react to pedestrians or cyclists who blend into the darkness, resulting in accidents. While light-coloured clothes improve visibility slightly, the safest option is high-visibility yellow, or orange shades paired with large reflective elements. These can be seen by drivers up to 200 meters away, even in poor lighting conditions. High-visibility colors work well in daylight and dusk, while reflective elements are crucial for nighttime visibility.
Since 2016, pedestrians in low-visibility conditions outside urban areas are legally required to wear reflective elements. Reflective vests are also a mandatory part of car safety kits. Certified high-visibility clothing (EN ISO 20471) is compulsory for workers who spend their days on construction sites, in forests, at train stations, airports, and, of course, on roads and railways.
Three Classes of Warning Clothing
Three Classes of Warning Clothing
The European standard EN ISO 20471 – High Visibility Clothing for Professional Use – outlines the design of these garments and classifies them into three categories based on the level of risk they mitigate in the workplace. The classes differ by the size (in cm²) of both the base material and reflective material used, i.e., the total area of all reflective strips. The ratio between these materials can result in the same model having different classifications depending on the size. Smaller sizes like XS, S, and M may have a lower rating than larger sizes starting from L. The standard also dictates the size, number, and placement of reflective strips. Higher-class garments feature reflective strips that outline the entire body. To ensure full visibility from all angles and in any position—whether bending or kneeling—the clothing must have vertical reflective strips running from the waist to the shoulders on both the front and back. Our popular KNOXFIELD collection, including insulated models for colder weather, meets these requirements perfectly.
Which Class to Choose?
Which Class to Choose?
Class 1 clothing is for workers who don’t operate on roads or railway tracks, such as those in construction or forestry. It’s also recommended for professional drivers, couriers, and postal workers.
Class 2 is essential for those working on roads or railways where traffic has been temporarily suspended. This includes surveyors, emergency responders, and sanitation workers.
Class 3 is required for those working on active roads and railways. Road workers, utility repair technicians, and airport personnel operating on the tarmac must wear this class.
CERVA offers a wide range of high-visibility clothing for every season. Our extensive collection includes shorts and t-shirts that provide comfort for road workers in summer, as well as long trousers, sweatshirts, jackets, and other items perfect for autumn and winter conditions. All garments comply with EN ISO 20471, allowing you to easily assemble an outfit that meets the required class. Our latest addition is the MAX NEO HV collection, which includes high-visibility clothing specifically designed for women. The premium NEURUM NORDICS collection boasts innovative TRIFIBETEX material and practical features.
Reflective Clothing for Everyone
Reflective Clothing for Everyone
CERVA also offers a variety of clothing and accessories that may not fully comply with EN ISO 20471, either due to their base color or the size of their reflective elements, but still provide safety benefits: trousers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets with sewn or printed reflective strips, caps stitched with reflective thread, and shoes with light-reflecting details. Sometimes, just wearing a reflective elastic cross certified under EN 13356 is enough to significantly enhance your visibility.
These products are ideal for those who don’t need to wear high-visibility clothing professionally but still want to ensure they’re seen in low-light conditions, whether at work or during their free time.
Remember: being seen is key to staying safe.