The author discusses a safety issue with tail lights in North American vehicles, specifically the use of red turn signals and shared brake/turn signal lights. This design creates signal ambiguity, making it difficult for drivers to determine whether a vehicle is turning or braking. The author argues that this is a safety compromise and that separate amber turn signals, as used in European vehicles, are a better design. They point out that even some foreign automakers, such as Volkswagen and Audi, use red turn signals in US market vehicles. The author also notes that some vehicles have features that mitigate this issue, such as a dashboard warning for a faulty brake light, and automatic headlights. They call on car manufacturers to adopt safer designs and for regulatory bodies to consider this issue when evaluating vehicle safety.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Every motor vehicle must have a certain number of exterior lights and indicators to be considered roadworthy.
2. Governments worldwide have mandated the use of indicator lights to help inform other drivers of a vehicle's actions.
3. In Europe, red lights always mean braking, and amber lights always mean turning or a hazard condition.
4. In North America, motor vehicle standards allow for red turn signals on the rear of vehicles.
5. Some vehicles in North America use a shared turn signal and brake light, which can cause signal ambiguity.
6. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has data on rear-end collisions per vehicle model.
7. Multiple studies have shown that there is a clear safety advantage to using amber turn signals.
8. The Center High-Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) is a third brake light found on many vehicles.
9. In the US, tail lights, turn signals, and headlights cannot be on any part of the vehicle that moves.
10. Some vehicles, such as the Chevy Bolt EV, use separate amber turn signals due to European regulations.
11. The Chevy Bolt EV has a feature that allows it to switch to a secondary set of brake lights in the bumper when the hatch is opened.
12. The 2002 Honda Odyssey has a feature that monitors the current going through the brake light circuit and illuminates a warning light on the dash if a brake light is out.
13. The 2002 Honda Odyssey has automatic headlights that turn on when it gets dark outside or when the windshield wipers are turned on during the day.