Q&A - Adding Extra Reflectors
I drive a Toyota Corolla sedan and a lot of time do night driving. For the safety of me, my family and other road users, Can I stick additional red reflecting tape (that’s available in Canadian Tire) on the rear bumper of my car? I did a search on Google but I did not get a definitive answer.
I am planning to put 1.5” X 10” on both the ends of my rear bumper. Please advise.
Comments
Answer
This is what the regulations have to say about reflectors:
(9) is the subsection that you are interested in, and reflective markings are:
The links on Transport Canada's web site that explain this are currently not working, so I am unable to post more on this right now.
The inspection standards used by designated inspection facilities call for a vehicle to be rejected if any reflector does not meet CMVSS/FMVSS, DOT/SAE, or is labelled marked as such. Any reflective tape that you do apply will need SAE or DOT C2 marking.
CVSE Response
I also queried the Commercial Vehicle Safety & Enforcement Branch of the provincial government. Geof Ford, the Program Advisor of Vehicle Inspections & Standards Program replied as follows:
As noted previously in the highlighted section 4.21(9) Despite subsections (1) to (7), reflective markings may replace red or amber reflectors on the side or rear of a vehicle. This would permit a vehicle to replace there reflectors with the markings.
Further, there is no noted prohibition regarding further safety markings on a vehicle.