A reflective vest is a piece of clothing sometimes used by people who walk in places where cars circulate to improve their safety when illuminated by the light of headlights. They are traditionally yellow – the “color most visible to the human eye” – and are equipped with reflective stripes&action=edit&redlink=1 "Reflection (light) (not yet drafted)"). There are also oranges "Orange (color)") and reds. Among the professionals who use reflective vests in their work are people who operate in traffic - such as police officers, garbage collectors, street sweepers and road workers.

Road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists use reflective vests to be seen better in traffic. This equipment serves to improve the safety of personnel working on road works or of users in an emergency stop situation: the person must be seen by other users when leaving their vehicle. The safety vest is part of a set of equipment necessary in the event of an accident, called a safety kit.

Chili

In Chile, the reflective vest has been mandatory since January 1, 2016 for all drivers of four-wheeled vehicles. This project was approved after, according to figures from the State of Chile, 40% of deaths from traffic accidents occur due to drivers who, when getting out of their vehicles on roads for various reasons, are not seen by other drivers, causing accidents and then death. Chile became the first on the American continent to approve the mandatory use of the reflective vest.[1]​[2]​ Also in the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, the use of the vest was made mandatory for motorcyclists, a law that came into force on January 1, 2017.

Germany

In Germany, the Reflective Vest has been mandatory since July 1, 2014 and according to German regulations, it must be in each corresponding vehicle. The new rule applies to all cars, trucks and buses registered in Germany; Motorcycles remain the exception.