We’re keeping our roads safer for longer.

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3M Safety
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We’re keeping our roads safer for longer.

3M Safety

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We’re keeping our roads safer for longer.

March 15, 2019
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We’re keeping our roads safer for longer.

On our roadways an accident can happen in the blink of an eye, whether you are a pedestrian at a crossing, or driving down a lonely highway. At any given moment our destiny can be shaped by our actions, or those of others.

According to the World Health Organisation, the lives of approximately 1.35 million people are cut short every year as a result of a road traffic crash. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries, with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury.

Although there are many elements to road safety, the ultimate goal is the same all over the world, that is, to work towards achieving zero deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

“Every year the lives of approximately 1.35 million people are cut short as a result of a road traffic crash”
Traffic signs and road safety.

Traffic signs play an integral role in the road safety equation. They bring order to our road network, allowing us to navigate the system in relative safety and security. Traffic signs provide:

Information about the road conditions ahead

Instructions to be followed at the major crossroads or junctions

Warnings and/or guidance to drivers and pedestrians

The proper functioning of road traffic

Stop and think what it would be like driving on our roads without them. Chaos would reign, leading to greater loss of life and property. Over the years they have become simplified and standardised to overcome language barriers and enhance road safety around the world. In the United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand signs are categorised as follows:
Regulatory signs

Warning signs

Guide signs

Emergency management Signs

Temporary traffic control

School signs

Railroad and light rail signs

Bicycle signs
Visibility Matters.

Studies have found that increased sign visibility plays a major role in road safety that positively impacts the community navigating our roadway systems, be it motorists, cyclists or pedestrians. Simply put, more visible signs result in lower accident rates. Where more visible signs are installed, crash numbers have fallen 25% to 46% in three to six years1. The significance of highly effective road signage cannot be undervalued as a primary road safety tool. In saying that, the materials used for retroreflective sheeting used in the manufacture of road safety signage can vary dramatically in performance, durability and compliance. The recently updated AS/NZS 1906.1 Standard: Retroreflective materials and devices for road traffic control purposes, Part 1: Retroreflective sheeting, provides road authorities, manufacturers and testing authorities with a uniform supply specification for retroreflective sheeting.

Retroreflective sheeting is classified according to photometric performance and durability, this Standard specifies the performance requirements for retroreflective sheeting used in the manufacture of road signs and related traffic control devices into a number of classifications. Photometrics is the science of measuring light and its perceived brightness to the human eye. This is a critical component when selecting the appropriate retroreflective film in the manufacture of traffic signs as it effects both viewing distance and observation angle in a variety of environments, this translates into faster sign detection and provides road users with more time to respond safely to potential hazards ahead.

Whether you’re an engineer, fleet owner, asset manager, local council, or manufacturer you need to ensure your signage complies with the Standard and best suited to the application for optimal safety and efficiency. Signs are amongst one of the most cost-effective traffic control devices to reduce incidents on our roadways.

Benefit Ratio of Traffic Control Devices

TABLE IV-7, Highway Safety Improvements With The Highest Benefit-Cost Ratios 1974-1995, United States FHWA
Don’t leave safety to chance.

For the past 80 years, 3M have been a part of the ever-evolving driving experience and we understand our important role in keeping drivers safer. As a global leader in retroreflective technology we are committed to delivering innovative safety solutions designed to maximise visibility and safety on the road, in the workplace and general community. As a technology leader our high quality reflective sheeting solutions for traffic signage offers peace of mind through guaranteed performance, durability and compliance to meet the visual requirements of human and machine vision in today’s increasingly complex and demanding roadway environment. By choosing 3M signs, you can have peace of mind that all your signage needs are covered to deliver durability and performance, but most importantly it gives you peace of mind that you are delivering the highest levels of road safety.
- 3M Safety, 3M Peace of Mind.
  
  Are you getting genuine 3M reflective for your signs? Are you getting locally made, supplied and warranted signs? Don’t leave safety to chance. As part of our commitment to road safety 3M Australia and New Zealand offers an Extended Warranty through our Approved Diamond Certified Manufacturer network.
  
  3M Diamond Certified Manufacturers.
  
  3M Diamond Certified Manufacturers are authorised to provide the 3M Extended Warranty for Permanent Signage. These Certified Manufacturers undergo robust audits and are subject to rigorous 3M manufacturing guidelines. Each year, they are issued with a Certificate of Accreditation, validating their authority to provide the benefits of the 3M Extended Warranty to their customers for that year. Look for the 3M Diamond Certified Manufacturer logo, a symbol of trust, long lasting quality and performance you can count on.
- 3M Extended Warranty Statement for Permanent Signage.
  
  3M Australia and New Zealand warrants that should a qualified sign fail during the warranted period, 3M shall meet the total cost of replacing the sign. 3M stands behind this revolutionary technology with up to 12 years full replacement warranty for permanent signs. A longer warranty protects your sign investments, and provides excellent life-cycle value.
  
  When your permanent signage are made entirely with 3M Graphics products, you’re covered by one of the most comprehensive rock solid warranties in the industry. Our warranty covers the full replacement cost, from start to finish, including:
  
  Physical defects of 3M product
  
  Manufacturing defects
  
  Printing defects and ink performance
  
  Cutting defects
  
  Traffic Colours
  
  Retroreflection
- How do you ensure your signs are covered by 3M’s extended warranty?
  
  Source permanent signs from the 3M Diamond Certified Manufacturers.
  
  Ensure that your sign manufacture provides you with a current copy of the Certificate of Accreditation.
  
  Ensure your signs have a stamp or label on the rear of the sign. Details must include: a) manufacturer’s name; b) date of manufacture; and c) class of material used.
  
  Speak to us today.
  
  For more information about our Diamond Certified Manufacturers and extended warranty program explore our 3M™ Diamond Warranty Programme for Permanent Signage brochure, or contact your 3M Transportation Safety Expert.
3M™ Diamond Warranty Programme brochure

References:

1. Ripley, D.A, Howard R. Green Company, ITE AB04H313, Quantifying the Safety Benefits of Traffic Control Devices—Benefit-Cost Analysis of Traffic Sign Upgrades, 2005 Mid-Continent Transportation Research Symposium Proceedings.