In the 50´s First article about the reflectors (reflective clothing in the USA).
1961 Philips Ltd donated reflectors to all 1-class school children in Finland.
1962 First campaigns and advertisements for reflectors in Finland.
1967 0,5 million reflectors were donated to all primary school aged children (Talja ja medicin
company Orion) together with information about the reflectors.
1968 Campaign: see and be seen, study: approx 1/3 were using reflectors, competition
between regions and communities -> increase in usage up to 40%.
1969 Talja appealed to teachers to watch over the use of the reflectors.
1972 Talja made minimum requirements for the quality of reflectors.
1979 SFS standard.
1977-78 Voluntary organization like Red Cross and also insurance companies and banks started reflector campaigns either in co-operation with the Central Organization for Traffic Safety or on their own. Also Rahtarit (heavy trucks) started arranging training meetings and information campaigns.
In the 80’s Study made by Liisa Oranen: Usage percentage 60% in rural and 50% in urban areas
The use had increased steadily and people had knowledge about reflectors
The attitudes were positive
The main reasons for not using reflectors were thoughtlessness and forgetting
Conclusion after information campaigns:
the usage cannot be made customary without legislative measures, more proper base for information activities.
1982 The Finnish Road Traffic Act:
- Pedestrian should wear an appropriate reflector while walking in the dark on unlighted roads, where there are no sidewalks or cycle-tracks (Finnish Road Traffic Act, no 267/81, section 42).
1983 Nordic Traffic Safety Year.
Large campaigns by manufacturers, the Traffic Police, sponsoring companies (insurance companies) in all Nordic countries, The Central Organization For Traffic Safety arranged happenings.
Large campaigns by Central... almost every autumn resulted in usage rated as hig as 60% in 1989. The information of reflectors was spread in traffic programmes on TV, through TV-spots and advertisement in the newspapers, with posters, leaflets etc.
Traffic education made in schools by the traffic police.
