By Admin 
When you drive at high speed on the highway at night, small red or yellow flashing lights are seen on the road. Many people think of these as decorative lights, but in reality these small lights work to prevent major accidents. When the road becomes blurry in fog, darkness and rain, then these stud reflectors become the eyes of the driver. Let us know how they work and how much they cost.
What are stud reflectors?
The small raised plastic or metal pieces installed between the white or yellow stripes of the road are called stud reflectors. In common language people also call them cat’s eyes. Their purpose is to clearly show the road boundaries, lanes and turns, especially at night or in low visibility conditions. These reflectors are designed in such a way that they shine as soon as the light of the headlights of the vehicle falls on them. This lets the driver know whether the road is straight, has a turn or a divider is nearby.
Why necessary at night and fog?
Road lines are clearly visible during the day, but the situation changes at night. In the dark one has to rely only on headlights. When light falls on these reflectors, they give bright shine and clear the direction of the lane. They also play an important role in dense fog. Road markings get blurred due to fog, but reflectors reflect the light back to show the driver the right path. This reduces the risk of changing lanes or going off the road. They are used more on highways and expressways because vehicles move at high speed there.
How many types of reflectors are there?
Generally two types of reflectors are installed on the road – passive and active.
passive reflector
These are the most commonly used reflectors. There is no electricity or battery of any kind in these. There is a reflective sheet or a substance like radium inside them. As soon as the headlight light falls on them, they start glowing. These are cheap and also demand less maintenance.
active reflector
These have small LED lights. They automatically light up as soon as it gets dark and turn off when the day comes. Some models are charged by solar panels. They provide brighter light and are clearly visible from a distance. Therefore, they are used more in dangerous turns, hilly roads and high-speed zones.
What do the colors mean?
Reflectors are installed in different colors and each color has a different meaning. Red color is usually applied on the side of the road or near the divider, so that the driver can know the limit. Yellow or amber color is for lane change or divider warning. White color is used to show the line between the lanes.
The standards of these colors are decided according to international road safety rules, so that there is no confusion while driving in different countries of the world.
price and strength
The price of stud reflectors in the market depends on their quality and technology. Normal passive reflectors can start from Rs 300, while better quality or LED active reflectors can cost Rs 1100 or more. Their price is influenced by the material used, durability and power of light.
Also read: Bangladesh passport is visa free in how many countries, how strong is it compared to India?