Retroreflective materials are only one type of reflective materials. Diffuse reflection is the most common type of reflectivity. It occurs when light strikes a rough surface, such as pavement, foliage, clothing, and vehicles. These surfaces cause the light to scatter in all directions. The scatter light can be seen by our eyes.
Mirror reflection occurs when light strikes surfaces that are smooth or glossy.
The light reflects off the surfaces at an equal, but opposite angle to the source. Light bounced by mirror reflection may or may not be seen by our eyes. Retroreflection occurs when light bounces from a surface that is engineered to return light in the direction of its source. If a person is looking at the retroreflective material, and is positioned near the light source, this retroreflected light may be seen by our eyes. This is why a driver who is sitting in a vehicle near the light source provided by the vehicle can see the light being reflected from the retroreflective material on a person's garment who is standing at a distance in the beam of light.