Every single day safety vests are protecting the lives of construction workers, air traffic control ground workers, emergency personnel responding to accidents, hunters, runners, and cyclists. Reflective clothing is keeping these people visible and out of dangerous accidents.
Construction workers especially can find themselves in harm’s way on a regular basis. They’re working with dangerous power tools, large equipment, and heavy machinery on an almost constant basis. That bright orange or yellow safety vests keep them visible to the driver of the steamroller, the operator of the backhoe, and their coworker manning the jackhammer.
On the ground at a busy airport, one small mistake or misstep can cost someone their life. It is important for these ground workers to remain clearly visible to the pilots of large commercial airplanes to avoid accidents.
It requires little explanation to explain the importance of reflective clothing being worn by hunters. A careless hunter mistaking another hunter for a wild animal will almost always result in tragedy.