Cat’s eyes became an essential tool for guiding drivers through complete darkness without the need for street lighting. Their use expanded widely after World War II. However, the Ministry of Public Works in Kuwait has begun using cat’s eyes as a “fun toy,” following the recommendation of an advisor who believed their widespread installation was necessary for several reasons. I will discuss this issue at the end of this article. The original and classic design of cat’s eyes consists of a metal or rubber body fixed to the road surface. Older designs were often made of cast iron, while more advanced versions use rubber and reinforced polyurethane.
The flexible material allows the reflector to compress and sink slightly when vehicles pass over it, helping to protect it from damage while also allowing the movement to clean its surface automatically. Inside each unit are glass reflectors positioned at precise angles to reflect vehicle headlights directly towards drivers. Cat’s eyes are manufactured in the United Kingdom, their country of origin. Astucia, which inherited the legacy of Reflecting Roadstuds, remains one of the largest manufacturers of these road safety devices. China has become one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of cat’s eyes, manufacturing various types made from plastic, glass, rubber, and even solar- powered models. The United States produces similar domestic versions with some design differences.
India, South Korea, and Taiwan are also major manufacturers, particularly for export to Asian and African markets. In Europe, Germany and Italy produce advanced versions, including models that provide their own illumination rather than relying solely on reflected light. I decided to write again about cat’s eyes because of their excessive and unreasonable use by the Ministry of Public Works, particularly on thousands of internal roads, where they are being installed primarily to warn drivers of speed bumps.
The Ministry of Public Works, based on what appears to be irrational specifications, has installed 48 cat’s eyes to mark each and every speed bump, despite these bumps having existed for decades without warning devices, color markings, or illumination. I urge the Minister of Public Works Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan, who has recently not been responding to my observations, to consider stopping this harmful expansion in their use. Despite their benefits, cat’s eyes can pose risks to vehicle tires, especially if they become damaged or break and develop sharp edges. There are many cheaper, more effective, and simpler alternatives for warning drivers of speed bumps than installing 84 pieces of cat’s eyes in front of every speed bump.
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