About Jogging Safety Vests

More than 7,000 pedestrians, bikers and runners die in the United States each year in automobile-related incidents, according to the National Safety Council, and fatal crashes peak during evening hours, when darkness hampers visibility. Because jogging safety vests help increase visibility and can ultimately save lives, runners should make a point to educate themselves about the ins and outs of such accessories.

Types

There are several different types of jogging safety vests. Some come in bright fluorescent colors designed to make them easy to spot; others have stripes on the front and rear to reflect light back to the source.

Colors

Shoppers can choose among a variety of bright neon colors, in shades of yellow, lime green, orange and blue. Orange is the most popular jogging-vest shade, the High Visibility Jacket website reports.

Benefits

Perhaps contrary to conventional wisdom, reflective safety vests increase a runner's visibility both in the day and night. According to Jogalite Reflective Safety Vest vendor Safety Central, a reflective vest enhances visibility up to 200 times more than does non-reflective clothing.

Safety Standards

Many jogging safety vests meet the guidelines set by the American National Standards Institute. This regulatory body oversees the creation, distribution and use of thousands of products, including protective safety gear. Runners can have peace of mind in knowing that a vest that meets ANSI standards has undergone vigorous testing before hitting the market.

Alternative Uses

Safety vests are not just for jogging. They are vital whenever a person is traveling outdoors and wants to make sure others can see them. Safety vests are useful for walking, cycling, motorcycling and even hunting.