That crazy third brake light

First off, my truck is an 09 DCSB TRD Sport. I am the second owner and as far as I can tell, the only after market accessory added from the previous owner might be the side steps.

Since I have had the truck I have shut off the factory key less entry beeps and the seat belt chimes. I also spliced in a switch for the Day time Running Lights and left them off.

My question is; why is my third brake light flashing 3 times before remaining constantly on when the brakes are being applied?

I realize it's good to have for safety reasons (if that's the case), but I have been behind a many Tacoma's and have never noticed the flashing third light before.

 

Someone has added a brake light flasher module. I have seen one on a Tacoma once before. I believe the manufacturers of those modules recommend not to put it on the main brake lights because it confuses driver's, as they may mistake it for turn signals even though both sides would flash. I put one on my motorcycle too. Added bonus for you.

 

I always wondered about those lights!

 

I had to go out to the garage to check after reading this.

I'm safe, steady third brake light, whew!

 

I see it as an added safety feature. I would leave it on there.

 

Never seen one on a taco. Saw one on a motorcycle and it was irritating as hell.

 

I hope the one on my bike is irritating. That means it is visible.

 

I'll go with it being added as a safety feature, and I'll leave it there. My first thought was I had cut something by mistake, or I might have a bulb out. Now that it has been mentioned, I have seen motorcycle brake lights flashing. If it helps by keeping morons from reshaping my bumper then it will stay.

Thanks for the replies and the laugh.

 

I have one on my motorcycle and that's the point. If it's irritating, that means it's noticable so the person behind me notices that I am stopping instead of running me over.

 

It would be helpful if there was some sort of industry standard that allowed the blinking to indicate a panic-type stop, more than 80% of max pressure applied, etc. to help for some differentiation between braking efforts.