Re: Why Are Cruisin Lights Illegal?!?!?!?!

[Brian M Kennedy <kennedy@xxxxxx>]

> Cars are now
>required to have a third center brake light to make a braking car look more
>distinctive than a pair of colored lights.


The center brake light is mounted higher, so the car two cars back has a
better chance of seeing it through the windows of the car immediately
following. (Car one brakes, car two has a chance to slow, as does car 3.)
They did studies of taxi cabs with brake lights mounted in the rear windows
in Washington DC back in the early 80's and found a very significant
reduction in rear end collisions. A small increase in the cost of
manufacturing made a big reduction in insurance claims. They have been
required in new cars since 85. Looking distinctive yes, increased
visibility, definitely.

Brad

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