Where Is Conspicuity Tape on a Car?
It may not be immediately clear to you where is conspicuity tape on a car. However, you may have heard of the DOT-C1 or DOT-C2 mark. They both denote a similar safety warning: “Do Not Pass” on the road. These reflective tapes can be found in strategic locations on cars and are required by federal regulations. These tapes have certain characteristics that make them more visible to drivers and pedestrians.
DOT-C2 mark
Conspicuity reflective tape provides the highest standard in reflectivity. It exceeds NHTSA requirements and carries a DOT-C2 legal certification. With its modular pattern of prisms, conspicuity reflective tapes can be installed in any position and still meet the highest industry visibility guidance. The retroreflective tape sticks to most surfaces, including painted steel, fiberglass, and aluminum. Conspicuity reflective tapes are easy to install and maintain.
Conspicuity tape must be DOT-C2 marked if it is used on a truck over 10,000 pounds. The tape must have an alternating red-white pattern. Trucks should use DOT-C2 reflective tape, which is available in 150-foot rolls. Its design is highly visible, making it easy to spot in traffic. The tape’s reflective properties make it easier to see in poor light, and drivers should not worry about missing it.
DOT-C2 marks are required on all large trucks. The red and white stripes are 11 inches long. These stripes are highly visible even in poor lighting conditions. A vehicle with a DOT-C2 marked trailer must have conspicuity tape in an appropriate location. Once installed, DOT-C2 tape is highly visible and will help prevent crashes caused by distracted drivers.
The DOT-C2 retroreflective sheeting must be applied horizontally. As close to the top of the trailer as possible, the tape must start near the front and end at the rear. The conspicuity treatment is not required to be continuous, but the total length of the DOT-C2 marked tape must be more than half the trailer’s length, with spaces evenly spaced between segments.
DOT-C1 mark
Conspicuity tape is a safety material that improves visibility of vehicles. Over-the-road trailers are required to have conspicuity tape applied on the sides and rear of the vehicle. It provides excellent retro-reflective visibility during day and nighttime, as well as poor weather conditions. Its reflective properties come from a polyester-based film with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing and peel-off liner. It meets NHTSA standards and has the DOT-C1 and DOT-C2 grade identification.
An evaluation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that the use of conspicuity tape reduces side impacts into SUTs by 41 percent. The agency sought comments on the effectiveness estimate, as well as on the assumptions used in the study. Its recommendations will be based on further studies. For now, though, conspicuity tape is an effective safety measure.
Using conspicuity tape is important because it prevents severe crashes. Research has shown that it can reduce fatal and nonfatal crashes by 44 percent. However, conspicuity tape is most effective in reducing crashes in drivers under 50. Older drivers are less likely to notice it and react accordingly. Therefore, the tape is essential for all vehicles on the road. The DOT-C1 mark on conspicuity tape reduces rear and side impacts by up to 29 percent.
In order to comply with DOT-C1 marking requirements, the white sheeting should be applied to the entire body of a trailer in a horizontal and vertical pattern. The tape should be as close as possible to the outermost and uppermost parts of the vehicle. The tape must be as wide as possible, with the white sheeting covering at least half of the vehicle’s body. In addition, the tape must be as long as it is tall, ensuring maximum visibility for drivers.
DOT-C1 marking on conspicuity tape is important for truck drivers. These tapes help to reduce the number of accidents involving tractor-trailers. They increase visibility and give drivers enough time to adjust their speed and distance to avoid collisions. DOT-C1 tape comes in two patterns – red and white striped on the lower side of the trailer and silver and white on the rear. Both tapes are reflective due to embedded catadioptric glass beads.
