Kent County Council hands out 25,000 reflective tags to primary school children

Twenty-five thousand reflective tags are heading to primary school children across Kent as the nights close in — the kind of simple, cheap intervention that can make a real difference when visibility is poor. Children can clip them to coats, backpacks and school uniforms.

The science behind it isn’t complicated. Reflective materials show up in headlights from up to three times the distance of ordinary clothing, according to KCC — a significant margin when light levels are low.

Peter Osborne, KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said making people visible was one of the easiest and most effective ways to improve safety during the darker months. The annual campaign forms part of KCC’s ongoing commitment to improving road safety across Kent, and the council links it to its Vision Zero strategy — the long-term goal of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on Kent’s roads.

And it’s not only children the advice is aimed at. Pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders are all encouraged to wear reflective gear after dark and bright fluorescent clothing during dull daylight. Motorists, meanwhile, are reminded to check their lights are working and keep the lenses clean — failed or grubby lights cut visibility for everyone on the road.

Apply before the deadline

Schools, classes, clubs and youth groups can register their interest for a chance to receive the free reflective keyrings. But the deadline is Sunday 18 October 2026, so don’t leave it late if you want tags in time for the worst of the autumn and winter conditions.

Key information

• What: Free reflective keyrings for primary school children, available to schools, classes, clubs and youth groups
• Who distributes: Kent County Council, through its annual Be Bright Be Seen campaign
• Deadline to apply: Sunday 18 October 2026
• Why it matters: Reflective materials are visible to drivers up to three times further away than non-reflective clothing