WRAPPING is not the only area where advances are being made in vehicle graphics - new studies by the Office for Motor Vehicle Technology show that reflective materials applied to your van could cut your accident rate by up to 43%.

One of the leading companies in this area is Signs Express. Marketing manager Dan Archer explained: 'There have been major advances in the reflective and fluorescent materials available in recent years and, with studies showing that they can have a very real impact on safety, we are getting more and more interest from commercial fleets.

'The increase in vehicle conspicuity, especially at night, is quite dramatic.'

Some fleets - such as the RAC and British Gas - have cleverly incorporated new reflective materials into their standard van designs. Signs Express has also just completed a similar contract for Mercedes-Benz Service 24 hour breakdown vehicles. Reflective graphics have been fitted to its fleet of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters.

Archer added: 'The safety benefits are strong enough that some insurance companies are now considering reducing premiums for fleets that adopt reflective markings. 'Of course, there is also the added benefit that the promotional design used on your vehicle stays visible in the dark.'