Heijastinta

Heijastinta is a Finnish term that translates to "reflector" in English. In its most common usage, it refers to a passive safety device designed to reflect light, making objects more visible in low-light conditions. These reflectors are typically made from retroreflective materials, which are capable of returning a significant amount of incident light back towards the source of illumination. This property is crucial for enhancing visibility and preventing accidents, especially during nighttime or in adverse weather.

Heijastinta are widely used on bicycles, clothing, and vehicles to improve safety. Bicycle reflectors, often mandated by law in many countries, are attached to the front, rear, and wheels to make cyclists more noticeable to motorists. Reflective clothing, such as vests or armbands, is commonly worn by pedestrians, construction workers, and cyclists for increased visibility. On vehicles, reflectors are integrated into taillights and other body panels, and reflective tape is used on trailers and larger equipment. The primary function of all these heijastinta is to return light from headlights or other light sources, thereby alerting others to their presence and reducing the risk of collisions. The effectiveness of a heijastinta is measured by its retroreflectivity, which indicates how much light it bounces back.