Inspired Abroad, Built for America: RoadLites Takes Trailer Lighting Up a Notch

Three years ago, siblings Angie and Rafael Twardawa took a trip to Poland and were surprised by what they saw. Trailers there were lit up with advanced safety tech that made U.S. standards look outdated by comparison.

That “wait, why don’t we have this?” moment sparked an idea. Fast-forward to today, and their company, RoadLites, is on a mission to bring that same level of visibility and protection to American roads, making things safer for drivers and everyone around them.

Were there any challenges that the company faced in its early stages?

"Yes, like many startups in the transportation space, RoadLites faced a few key challenges early on. One of the biggest hurdles was breaking through the mindset of “standard is good enough” when it comes to trailer and safety lighting. Many fleets and drivers are used to traditional marker lights, so introducing a new product requires education and trust-building. On the technical side, we quickly learned how complex it can be to design lighting systems that work seamlessly across a wide variety of trailers, so configuring the right connections and ensuring reliable performance was a big focus. A second challenge was navigating the regulatory and compliance side—ensuring our lighting systems met or exceeded DOT requirements while also pushing the envelope with brighter, more visible designs."

Can you describe the differences in lighting and safety features you saw in Poland that were different from the ones in America?

"One of the most noticeable differences in Poland and across Europe is the emphasis on contour lighting and perimeter visibility on commercial vehicles. Another difference is the aesthetic integration—lighting in Europe is often modern, sleek, clean, and advanced, while in the U.S., it's more utilitarian and traditional. That European approach really inspired us. We wanted to bring that elevated sense of visibility and safety to American roads but tailored for our own equipment and industry needs."

What are the biggest misconceptions about trailer lighting and safety in the trucking industry?

"One of the biggest misconceptions is that 'as long as the lights work, they're good enough.' Many fleets and drivers assume that if their trailer has the minimum DOT-required marker lights and they're functional, that’s all they need. But meeting the legal minimum doesn’t always mean you’re truly visible, especially at night, in rural areas, or in poor weather. Another common misconception is that lighting upgrades are just cosmetic or “for show.” In reality, better lighting can be the difference between being seen or not seen, especially from the side or rear where most standard lighting falls short. There’s also a belief that custom lighting is complicated or not worth the hassle. That’s partly true— trailers vary a lot in terms of wiring, harnesses, and setup—but that’s exactly why we built RoadLites the way we did: to be practical, adaptable, and road-tested on real equipment at Angie’s Transportation."

How does the lighting system handle extreme weather conditions like snow, heavy rain, or fog?

"Our lights are resistant to water, dust, and harsh weather conditions like snow, rain, or fog. They can handle temperatures as low as -22 degrees to as high as 122 degrees. And because we test our lights on our own fleet, we’ve seen firsthand how they hold up in everything from Midwest snowstorms to high heat in California and Arizona, to Texas downpours. They're built to last."

Can you share more about the collaboration with Horpol and how that partnership helped shape your product offerings?

"Partnering with Horpol, the leading European manufacturer of automotive lighting systems, has been a game-changer and an honor for RoadLites. What really stood out about Horpol was their commitment to engineering, durability, and design. They have their own in-house labs and engineers. Their products already met stringent EU visibility standards, which go well beyond the basic DOT requirements we see in the U.S. Through our partnership, we were able to customize and adapt their existing lighting solutions to fit the wide range of U.S. trailers and equipment. We tested the lights extensively on our own fleet at Angie’s Transportation. This collaboration allowed RoadLites to bring European-level safety tech to American roads but tailored for the real-world challenges faced by U.S. drivers and fleets. It’s a perfect example of global innovation meeting local, hands-on experience—and it’s helped us offer something truly unique in the market."

How are you working with organizations like the DOT and NHTSA, and what role do they play in your product development or testing?

"From the beginning, we’ve made it a priority to do our due diligence by
submitting our lighting products to both the DOT and NHTSA for their formal and informal opinions and interpretations on the regulations surrounding auxiliary and safety lighting. These agencies don’t directly approve aftermarket lighting products, but they do provide critical clarification and interpretation of how existing regulations apply—and that guidance has helped shape how we develop, install, and position RoadLites in the market. In addition to federal review, we’ve also reached out to Missouri State Highway Patrol and other state-level enforcement agencies to request their informal interpretations of how our lights
are viewed during roadside inspections. So far, not a single one of our trailers outfitted with RoadLites has received a violation, which confirms that our lighting systems are in line with current interpretations of FMVSS 108 and state-level enforcement practices."

Looking ahead, what’s next for RoadLites in terms of innovation or expansion within the transportation safety space?

"Looking ahead, we’re focused on expanding both our product line and
our industry influence in ways that raise the bar for transportation safety. On the product side, we’re developing new lighting systems with smart integration, including options that work with telematics and sensor-based systems to support future technologies. We’re also exploring modular lighting kits to make installation easier across different trailer types and vocational vehicles. RoadLites isn’t just about lighting up trailers. It’s about lighting the path for a safer, more progressive transportation industry."

Companies such as RoadLites play a crucial part in the future of transportation safety, and we can’t wait to see what else they have to offer. Whatever it is, it will surely revolutionize the future of the trucking industry.