Demographic information indicates that the population is greying and living longer.

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, the 45-64 year age group constituted 20% of the population in 1971. By 1991 this same age group grew by 28.2%. Projections for the next 20 years to year 2011 suggests a further increase of 73.7%.

Is our signing system providing the level of performance that the current population age distribution requires for safety? Sight and light recognition deteriorates with age and reaction times slow down. Better performing reflective products give the driver more time to react, reducing the potential for accidents.

A 1967 study relating to pedestrian and cyclist safety suggests that at the age of 20 our vision is as good as it ever will be. The same study suggests that for every 13 years after age 20 we will need twice as much light to see as well as we did at age 20, i.e. at 33 years we need twice as much light as at age 20 and consequently we will need eight times as much light at age 60.

For 60 year old drivers to compete on equal terms visually with the 20 year old (ignoring slower reaction time concerns), the study suggests that you will need a vehicle fitted with 16 headlights to provide you with the same amount of light as 20 year old with 2 headlights

Safety depends on:

• seeing the sign
• recognizing the hazard
• deciding on action
• initiating action
• completing the action

Each step takes time. Therefore the earlier the sign is seen, the greater the chance of execution in time.

Given the visibility issue above plus the lower reaction time with age....bigger and brighter is better