Maybe you are seeing just a bit into the ultraviolet spectrum. Halogen headlamps emit a lot of uv light. When uv hits reflective paint, the wavelengths are probably lengthened and may make it just into the edge of visibility for some few people who are very sensitive. One clue is that you are seeing it as purple, which is the color closest to the UV spectrum. A Google search finds a lot of people seeing purple at night when driving, but no one seems to see any other colors. Why purple? It would make sense if it was UV. Perhaps it is easier to see at night when the pupils are large and the other color seeing eye cones are no longer able to function due to low light.
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