Final answer:
Buses and trucks must have reflectors, hazard lights, and brake lights on the rear for safety and communication with other drivers; these requirements can vary by jurisdiction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Every bus or truck must be equipped on the rear with certain safety features as required by law. These often include reflectors, hazard lights, and brake lights to ensure visibility and to communicate the vehicle's intentions to other road users. Buses and trucks, due to their large sizes, create unique risks on the road, hence a higher safety standard is enforced. Reflectors help outline the vehicle's size and shape in low visibility conditions, while hazard lights are used to signal distress or that the vehicle is stationary in an unexpected location. Brake lights provide a clear indication that the vehicle is slowing down or coming to a stop, which is crucial for reducing the likelihood of rear-end collisions. In some jurisdictions, additional safety equipment such as rear fog lights may be required.
In many countries, including the United States, every bus or truck must be equipped on the rear with a red, rear-facing reflector. This reflector is crucial for safety as it allows other drivers to see the vehicle at night or in low visibility conditions. The reflector helps prevent accidents by increasing the visibility of the vehicle and alerting other drivers to its presence on the road.