Accidents and deaths of motorcycle have increased dramatically for U.S. Army service members during the past five years. In order to ensure the safety of all personnel, the Directorate of Emergency Services is implementing and requiring motorcycle riders to wear full reflective vests.

The requirement began Wednesday, authority announced in a news release issued Wednesday afternoon.

The new regulation, FH-190-5, requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear a full reflective vest. This change is in line with the rest of the Army, which requires a full vest. Vests can be of commercial manufacture or the old road guard vest and must be brightly colored in hunter’s orange or fluorescent green, yellow or pink. The vest should be clearly visible and should not be covered.

If a motorcycle or moped operator has a backpack, a full reflective garment will be worn in addition to reflective material around the backpack so it can be seen from the rear. This can be a physical-training strip, which troops wear while running along roads.

The only exception to wearing the full reflective vest is if the rider has on a brightly colored long-sleeve shirt or jacket. Colors such as white, yellow, pink, hunter’s orange or fluorescent green are acceptable. Tan, beige or blue are not bright colors and therefore, unacceptable.

At night, all motorcycle riders must wear a reflective vest