Road safety concerns top 3M agenda

'Traffic signs and road markings are the primary and often sole means of communication between the road system and road user,' explained Mr. Rik Nuyttens, 3M European Regulatory Affairs Manager, speaking at the mentioned seminars 'Safe Roads Infrastructure'.

The seminars covered traffic signs, pavement markings, technology development and regulations and best practices to help improve road safety standards.

'In this region, there is a huge amount of construction and heavy vehicle traffic which requires more emphasis on road signage. Brighter signs can help Truck, Heavy vehicles and Passenger car drivers with improved visibility, particularly at high observation angles.

'They provide a reliable, and efficient long-term safety investment through increasing the visibility of traffic signs from all viewing angles and road geometries, which has been proven worldwide to help reduce the number of road traffic accidents,' added Mr. Nuyttens.

The Riyadh & Doha seminars were attended by officials from the Ministry of Transportation, Public Works Authority, Traffic Police Departments, Main Road Consultants and Authorized Sign Makers and were an important recognition of the need for a developed roadway infrastructure in order to improve road safety conditions. Appropriate signage is a key indicator of a country's development status.

Higher brightness signs using 3M's revolutionary road safety products have been successfully used throughout the world, where many countries and cities in Asia, Europe and the US have adopted them on their signage. They have recognized that the introduction of minimum specifications and their consequent enforcement result in less road accidents and deaths.

Products such as the new revolutionary 'Full Cube technology' third generation of Diamond Grade Sheeting DG3™ can increase visibility during the night time, whereas during the day time; DG3 fluorescent prismatic full cube technology sheeting exhibits an outstanding eye catching performance. These 3M products and more were exhibited at Abu Dhabi's Roadex show.