3rd Brake Lights

[spigot]

I am continually seeing cars around here with broken 3rd brake lights, so last night on my way home I decided to count how many I could find. Over the course of my 25 mile commute home, I counted 15. Not cars without 3rd brake lights, but cars that had them but were burned out or broken for whatever reason.

That bulb is in such a confined space and gets pretty hot. I just wanted to remind people to please check yours. With the number of people that tailgate anyway, you need all the help you can get to be noticed when you have to stop, especially in a hurry.

If you look in your rearview mirror in a dark place (outside at night, or in a dark garage) you can usually see the red glow around the light to let you know it's working.

 

[LTC8K6]

Did the addition of the CHMSL have any effect on rear end collision rates?

 

[spigot]

Probably not, but, given that some of the cars I saw were missing another brake light as well, I think it's cheap insurance to make sure it works.

 

[LTC8K6]

I'd like to throttle the idiot that decided to make them flash...

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I'd like to throttle the idiot that decided to make them flash...

What cars have flashing ones? The only vehicles I ever see with strobing brake lights are newer motorcycles...

And all of my lights work perfectly. I'm kind of anal about having burnt out bulbs anywhere on my car...whenever I find one, it gets replaced immediately.

 

[LTC8K6]

I have seen many, but the one that comes immediately to mind seems to be on the Ford Escape.

They flash for a few seconds then stay lit.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I have seen many, but the one that comes immediately to mind seems to be on the Ford Escape.

They flash for a few seconds then stay lit.

huh, weird. I guess I've never noticed it.

 

[LTC8K6]

There are lots of DIY kits out there, too. Touting the safety of it...

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I have seen many, but the one that comes immediately to mind seems to be on the Ford Escape.

They flash for a few seconds then stay lit.

That is aftermarket, not OEM.

 

[bruceb]

I know mine is working, just checked it yesterday. But I found out I have a crack in my left rear tail light housing allowing water to build up inside it.

 

[BassBomb]

I've always attributed flashing to people being really touchy on their pedal

Middle brake light not working does not piss me off as much as cars with a single brake light on each side which happens to be their turn signal too. That to me is the WORST idea ever.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I need to get one of those flashing brake light kits for my motorcycle.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Did the addition of the CHMSL have any effect on rear end collision rates?

For a year or two after its introduction it did have a small effect, then the effect tapered off and rates have essentially returned to their previous levels. It has been theorized that once people got accustomed to them, they stopped really paying attention.

As far as mine, it's an LED bar, so it doesn't burn out. Even if it did, I carry spares for every exterior bulb in my glovebox so as soon as the little warning light on the dash comes on, I change the bulb the next time I park.

ZV

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I'd like to throttle the idiot that decided to make them flash...

What cars have flashing ones? The only vehicles I ever see with strobing brake lights are newer motorcycles...

And all of my lights work perfectly. I'm kind of anal about having burnt out bulbs anywhere on my car...whenever I find one, it gets replaced immediately.

I saw it on a Mini, assumed it was aftermarket. It was annoying.

 

[MovingTarget]

Only the brake lights on the rear driver/passenger side are required by law to be working (and for good reason). The middle one is helpful to those behind you, but if you have the required ones working it isn't necessary. Besides a lot of pre-2k cars had badly designed enclosures for those, causing plastic to melt from heat or at least degrade quicker. With the move to LED, this is not much of a concern anymore.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
I've always attributed flashing to people being really touchy on their pedal

Middle brake light not working does not piss me off as much as cars with a single brake light on each side which happens to be their turn signal too. That to me is the WORST idea ever.

Are your indicator lights allowed to be red in the US? That would make sense in light of your point.

Here they have to be amber/orange and a separate bulb, so it doesn't matter so much, you can tell them apart instantly.

 

[heymrdj]

Yes in the US we stupidly allow the light to be a one unit red lamp. A dual filement bulb that acts as both stop and signal. I HATE it. We should be white/amber/red. It's much more noticeable and reduced the idiots not using their signals because of burned out tail lights.

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I have seen many, but the one that comes immediately to mind seems to be on the Ford Escape.

They flash for a few seconds then stay lit.

That is aftermarket, not OEM.

I seem to remember the BMW 1 Series having it as standard under very heavy braking.. I know there are others also but can't think off the top of my head.

Edit: Not the centre light, the standard lights.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: BassBomb
I've always attributed flashing to people being really touchy on their pedal

Middle brake light not working does not piss me off as much as cars with a single brake light on each side which happens to be their turn signal too. That to me is the WORST idea ever.

Are your indicator lights allowed to be red in the US? That would make sense in light of your point.

Here they have to be amber/orange and a separate bulb, so it doesn't matter so much, you can tell them apart instantly.

We can have either red or amber indicators, the problem arises from as heymrdj said when the brake light IS the turn signal as one light

It is mostly a problem on American cars and SUV's in general, I really can't stand it

 

[spigot]

Originally posted by: MovingTarget
Only the brake lights on the rear driver/passenger side are required by law to be working (and for good reason). The middle one is helpful to those behind you, but if you have the required ones working it isn't necessary. Besides a lot of pre-2k cars had badly designed enclosures for those, causing plastic to melt from heat or at least degrade quicker. With the move to LED, this is not much of a concern anymore.

I'm not completely convinced that's the case. Based on how I read NM motor vehicle code, any stop lamps that your car happens to be equipped with must be maintained in working order. In the CA law they tie it to the federal motor vehicle safety standard, but it doesn't specifically mention 'working order' so maybe as long as it's there you'd be ok.

I wish they would move a little quicker toward getting LEDs in all three brake lamps. I know it's extra cost, but I hate seeing cars drive around with one or even no brake lights at all.

I used at have a '94 Accord that had a 'Brake Lamp' indicator on the dash to let you know a brake light was out. What happened to that? I guess that turned out not to be of interest to people..?

I too hate the combo brake/signal lamps. I always assumed the federal safety standard had migrated to amber lamps, but then I saw new cars with combo reds.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Jahee

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
I have seen many, but the one that comes immediately to mind seems to be on the Ford Escape.

They flash for a few seconds then stay lit.

That is aftermarket, not OEM.

I seem to remember the BMW 1 Series having it as standard under very heavy braking.. I know there are others also but can't think off the top of my head.

Edit: Not the centre light, the standard lights.

Yes, the 1-series has adapative brake lights. Some BMWs come with Brake Force Display which will light up a second set of lights in the taillight housing under excessive braking, as well.

 

[Itchrelief]

Heh, once I saw a car with all three lights out. :Q

Either that or the driver had some mad engine braking skills, as he came to a complete stop at a light from 40mph without ever lighting off a taillight.

 

[rh71]

can you also add to this PSA... please use turn signals?

 

[SVT Cobra]

The only FACTORY flashing brake lights I know of are supposed to be on all new Mercedes in like 2011, and they pulse so quickly it is not visible to the human eye, but the mind is still conscious of it, or something like that.

 

[AMCRambler]

Never thought to check the third brake light in the spoiler on my last car, or the new one. I guess I figured they would put some kind of indicator in the system that it was out like they do with the turn signal bulbs. The turn signal relay used to click double fast when I had a blown bulb. I'll check mine tonight when I go home.