Explained: What are reflective tapes and why Noida Police can fine Rs 10,000 on your vehicle?

A Traffic Police official told Zee News that private vehicles are factory-fitted with reflectors and only commercial vehicles are subject to a Rs 10,000 fine.

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Noida Traffic Police recently initiated a campaign to reduce accidents in the city due to low visibility in foggy weather. Under the initiative, Noida Traffic Police pasted reflective tapes on pillars and barricades on the DND Flyway toll plaza as they sometimes act as blind spot for vehicles. Also, they asked people to paste reflective tapes on their vehicles because of the weather conditions and decreasing visibility. 

Taking a step further in the same direction, traffic police mandated reflective tape on vehicles and invoked MV Act under which Rs 10,000 can be fined on vehicles plying without reflective tapes. While all private vehicles, including both four- and two-wheelers get a reflector pasted on the rear side of the vehicle, commercial vehicles like trucks and tractors doesn't have any reflective material, causing accidents. 

We decode what's a reflective tape and what's the directive by Noida Traffic Police-

What is reflecting tape?

A reflective tape or a reflector made up of special materials like radium that reflects in darkness when lights fall on it. Usually made of bright red material, a reflective tape is available in various sizes and shapes and are used for a variety of purposes, primarily being the safety, as it helps visually on otherwise dark roads, or in a detrimental weather conditions. 

Why is it necessary?

The reflective tapes are a necessity for vehicles like trucks and tractors as they are often the cause behind severe accidents and move on the roads without proper lights or reflectors. The reflective tapes are supposed to prevent drivers from hitting each other on roads by providing visual aid. As per the Gautam Budh Bagar traffic police records, 798 accidents took the lives of 368 people in 2021. Similarly, 380 people were killed in 740 accidents in 2020.

Who will be fined?

Noida Traffic Police recently stated that vehicles without reflecting tapes will be fined Rs 10,000. While it's a fine defined under the MV Act by the central government, two-wheelers and four-wheelers are outside purview of the said law as these reflectors are usually factory fitted inside the rear tail light cluster. However, in trucks and tractors, these safety mechanisms are rarely seen. Bringing this rule into effect, the police will impose a fine of Rs 10,000 on the vehicle owners without the reflective tapes. For private vehicles, the Police will inform owners about the benefits of the reflecting tape.

What do the law states?

According to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, Rule 104 to 104 D, it is mandatory to install reflectors and reflective tapes and rear marking tape fulfilling the AIS (Automotive Industry Standards) 089 and ASI090 regulations.