Sunday, Jun 18, 2017 at 11:20
Yes, MH is spot on. There's a lot of cheap Chinese lighting and signage junk on eBay that does not meet Australian Standards, and in particular, Australian vehicle standards.
Lighting and reflective materials need to meet ADR or UN (CE) regulations, and be marked accordingly.
Lighting and reflective materials, and their location, colour, angle, and height positioning are covered under ADR 13/00. Rear marker plates fall under "Conspicuity Markings".
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2009C00579
Below is an advisory for heavy vehicle owner/operators that covers conspicuity markings.
Note that individual State/Territory regulations can vary, as regards conspicuity markers.
https://www.nhvr.gov.au/files/201612-0447-vsg11-additional-reflectors-and-conspicuity-markings.pdf
Whilst car and caravan combinations are not specifically included in the requirements for conspicuity markings, I see no reason why you should not ensure your large rig is made especially visible to other road users, particularly in low light/foggy/rain conditions.
The rectangular red and yellow reflective rear marker plates are designed with that specific red and yellow pattern to enable other drivers gaining rapidly on slower vehicles in poor light, to discern a red and yellow pattern that is initially one pattern in the drivers vision - which then becomes the two distinct patterns, as they get much closer to the slow-moving vehicle - to try and avoid serious, high-speed, rear-end collisions.
FollowupID:
882016