Flashing Brake Lights

I'd take pissing off 99.9% of drivers who pay attention since that accounts for only about 25% of the people on the road. When I added a bright flashing brake light to my last motorcycle there was a dramatic improvement to people slowing down sooner behind me.

 

Funny to see this thread right now. Because I was just behind taco 1 hour ago that had these pulsating flashing brake lights. At first I thought he had a short. Very annoying IMO

 

Old data it was written JUN 4, 2013

 

I noticed these on the Police vehicles around Houston. They definitely get your attention!
I installed them on both my motorcycle and my Taco.
If it pisses off a few people, I really could care less (especially when on my bike). The fact remains, there are drivers out there who are NOT paying attention, and a pulsing light will more likely get their attention than one that is not, particularly the idiot who like to text and drive.
I know several riders who have already been rear ended at a Stop, with most being seriously injured.

 

And it cites no actual laws. IE: media BS.

 

Take a road trip down to Vegas, let me know how many of the signs down there have steady lights, and how many flash intermittently. The tenants of Vegas are the kings of getting people's attention.

Then explain to me why emergency vehicles have flashing lights, rather than steady. Pretty sure they are exactly like disco tech, and their only purpose is to get your attention.

But what do I know, I'm just throwing out false correlations about flashing third brake lights that surely do nothing to get someone's attention a little better than a solid light.

 

I've seen plenty of people walking down the strip staring at their phone and bouncing into other individuals... so...

Those twinkling lights on ambulances are also accompanied by sirens. So maybe you should hook your horn up to your brake pedal. Who cares about how the vehicle was designed to operate, just turn it into a flashing disco ball, I'm sure you'll never get hit.

Ultimately, I couldn't care less what people do, I'll continue to find it annoying. You want blinky lights, you go on right ahead.

 

The flashing third brake light is kinda like the arrow in the Fed Ex logo, you will always notice it now that you're aware of it. Again, the fact that it annoys you tells me that it is more effective than not.

And for the record, flashing emergency lights don't always come with sirens. Police vehicles roll with lights no sirens for certain calls. And every single emergency vehicle turns the sirens off, but keeps lights on once they arrive at the scene or traffic stop.

 

Saying that I always notice it is a bit nonsensical. How many flashing third brake lights have you NOT noticed? How would you know? You didn't see it... and being annoyed by something won't ensure I notice it. It just ensures I'm annoyed when I do.

If they were such a miracle invention, then why isn't every car outfitted with them? Why don't emergency vehicles have them?

https://youtu.be/9SexsvIO4vE

DAMMIT! HIS LIGHTS WERE ON!!!!

 

I had a strange dealership experience with the pulsing brake light. The dealership apparently installs them on all the new vehicles and then tries to upsell it as a $299 option. Well my salesperson did not mention it and right after agreeing to buy the truck an employee got in and said he was going to remove the brake light since I didn't want it and I went back into the office and the salesperson said he forgot to tell me it was an add-on that did not come with the truck and I would have to pay $299 to keep it on. I have no idea why he didn't try to sell it to me. That was strange. I said I'll keep it and pay the extra money. I figured it was worth spending that to possibly stop someone from rear ending me. Well then I went home and researched it a bit and asked the salesperson about the legality and he said most of the neighboring states allow them, but one state I drive in frequently does not. I figure most cops would not bother pulling a vehicle over for just that, but I don't want anything drawing unwanted attention and causing me to get pulled over. So I told them to take that off. And it is crazy that they charge $299 for a light bulb or whatever the devise is that makes it blink.

 

I feel like the third brake light flashing would be sufficient. All brake lights seems absurd. I drive a fire truck for a living and use my emergency lights only when necessary, I usually turn them off on scene unless I’m blocking traffic. On a motorcycle where the is only one light I can get on board with that too.

 

I’ve honestly noticed that once we turn on our emergency lights people don’t know what the fuck to do. Truth is with more smart phones and smart cars there will be more dumb fuck people. There is no fixing the stupid fucks, just put 5’ spikes out the back of your truck to take care of anyone who rear ends you

 

I think you're missing the point, and haven't really said anything other than that these flashing third brake lights annoy you. I never said they were a miracle invention, just that I think they do grab attention more than a standard light.

I notice every flashing third brake light in front of me, because (1) I had one myself once and find it amusing and (2) I pay attention to the cars in front of me. If I didn't see it, it's because I couldn't see it.

The video you shared is a terrible example for so many reasons.

I'm finished with this silly squabble.

 

The real way to maximize avoidance is to not only pay attention to the cars in front of you but those behind you as well. If you find yourself in a situation where you are having to stop really short and are paying attention to your background then you should move to the shoulder and around the person in front of you to avoid both a front and rear collision. While driving all you can depend on is yourself and your reactions for yours and your family’s safety

 

I’ve ridden motorcycles on the street for 25 years, I’ve learned in that time that every mother fucker on the road can’t drive for shit and I expect as much. I’ve learned to drive scoping at least 1/4 mile ahead instead of only what’s just my next move. I’ve got at least 7 moves planned at all times

 

Might start thinking about not stopping a bike in the middle of a lane, maybe more left/right. Makes sense to stay out of the cars oil spots. I’m not trying to be a smart ass but if you aren’t there they can’t hit you.

 

I have seen them on the roads here in the US. They are banned in Holland and also in Australia too.
When you were going at very high speeds, and stepped on brakes hard and if they flashed to warn others like how some Mercedes do, I understand it's a good warning to have.
But constantly flashing on every brake usage at stop and go traffic is such a Big distraction and out right looks douchebag asking for attention in my opinion.

 

My Porsche just has a “rear fog light” on one side that tells you what side to pass on basically.

 

The real difference is Europeans know how to drive. American drivers are terrible.