Scotchlite™ reflective material products use a technology known as retroreflection. It helps the eye perceive light in low-light conditions. In more scientific terms, retroreflection occurs when light rays are returned in the direction from which they came. A large amount of reflected light is returned directly to the original light source, such as a car’s headlights. Since very little light is scattered when the light is returned, retroreflective materials appear brightest to an observer located near the original light source—like the seat of your snowmobile.