"Glowing" Safety Vests, Lights Great For Road Travel

"Glowing" Safety Vests, Lights Great For Road Travel SECURITY/SAFETY Ideas 29-1-42 A new kind of glowing safety light that can be used on safety vests, vehicle lights, and slow-moving vehicle signs shows up from a much greater distance than conventional lights, says the company that developed the new "electroluminescent" product. "A glowing light can be seen from a greater distance than a shining light," says John Golle, CEO of Safe Lites, LLC. "It doesn't affect night vision or suffer refraction from material in the air, so it can be seen through snow, dust, smoke, fog, rain, and other debris." Conventional SMV signs can't be seen until light strikes them. Safe Lite's GlowSkinÖ technology can be seen long before it's in headlight range. "People tend to overdrive their headlights," says Golle. "Pilots report seeing our signs on airport trucks when they are still 2 miles out." Golle grew up in rural Illinois and understands the dangers of night driving with farm equipment. His company is working with the American Farm Bureau Federation and others to encourage adoption of illuminated SMV signs as a way to reduce the frequency and severity of accidents. A slight electrical charge ignites phosphors in the company's glow lamps. They can be hardwired into a vehicle's electrical system or to rechargeable Lithium batteries. A 2.1-oz. battery will provide full power for 10 hours and can be recharged to full power in only 3 hours with either a cigarette lighter or an AC charger. "It only takes a trickle charge of about 2 amps, less than a tail light, to light up a large warning sign on a truck," explains Golle. The glow lamps are just 1/8 in. thick, making it easy to adapt them to almost any surface. "We have even encased the components in rubber material for mud flaps and other applications, so any vehicle can be lit up," reports Golle. Truckers hope the mud flaps will reduce the number of cars that strike the rear of their rigs. It is the fourth most common accident, but the most catastrophic. Current reflective mud flaps don't provide the advance warning needed when traveling at high speed. Existing products can be purchased directly from the company. SMV sign sells for $155. Golle says it will last a lifetime since the sign will not discolor. Safety vest sells for $195, including power pack, which is good for 3 to 4 years. Replacement vest alone is $95. Golle encourages people with ideas for new applications to contact him with their suggestions. "We are a very entrepreneurial company," he says. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Tony Morse, Safe Lites, LLC, 12903 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, Minn. 55347 (ph 952 944-9861 or 866 206-0566; email: tmorse @safelites.com; www. safelites.com).

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