Flashing rear lights seen....

[upsidedown]

On a Vauxhall Insignia this morning, flashing while braking, then steady when it came to s atop. Not sure if these are new but i've never seen them before.

Got to be good news for cyclists if it trains a driver's brain to associate a flashing red light with danger or possible need to put the phone down etc.

 

[thomas]

On a Vauxhall Insignia this morning, flashing while braking, then steady when it came to s atop. Not sure if these are new but i've never seen them before.

Got to be good news for cyclists if it trains a driver's brain to associate a flashing red light with danger or possible need to put the phone down etc.

A lot of modern cars put hazards on under heavy braking, which is a good safety function.

Don't know about the brake lights though...

 

[Theseus]

On my utility bike I have hub powered dynamo lights. At a steady pace these are reasonable bright & continuous. At lower speeds they appear to flash. When stationary, the stand light operates.

Could you have seen something similar?

 

[semislickstick]

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/235766/vauxhall_insignia.html

Flashing brake lights and hazard light activation!

 

[gaz]

A lot of modern cars put hazards on under heavy braking, which is a good safety function.

Don't know about the brake lights though...

That is a great idea, i find if it comes to heavy breaking on the motorway, it can be hard to put the hazards on whilst slowing down.

 

[GrasB]

While I can see this is a good thing & if it stops one rear-end then imo it's a feature to be installed. That said I've personally not found the hazards under heavy braking useful. I typically register the hazards were on after I've done the basic judgement of speed & deceleration then while getting onto the brakes my self.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

While I can see this is a good thing & if it stops one rear-end then imo it's a feature to be installed. That said I've personally not found the hazards under heavy braking useful. I typically register the hazards were on after I've done the basic judgement of speed & deceleration then while getting onto the brakes my self.

I agree. As usual with these things, there's a significant danger that many motorists will use them as a substitute for driving properly in the first place. I never use my hazards under braking, but then I usually drive so as to avoid the need for heavy braking in the first place.

 

[mr Mag00]

citreon have been doing the hazard light system for some years now

 

[Theseus]

... Vauxhall Insignia ...

On my utility bike I have hub powered dynamo lights. At a steady pace these are reasonable bright & continuous. At lower speeds they appear to flash. When stationary, the stand light operates.

Could you have seen something similar?

<slaps head> Do'h! </slaps head> That'l teach me to read before posting. I wrongly assumed you were talking about a bike.

 

[jimboalee]

CHAV is an acronym for.....

Council House An'a Vauxhall.

 

[Arch]

There's a real risk with car brake lights that I've never seen mentioned before, and I'm not sure that this flashing counters it.

And that is that they're not progressive. If a car in front is very lightly braking then the brake lights are on. If they then significantly increase their braking, or do an emergency stop, it's not possible to indicate this with brake lights. It can a bit risky on motorways.

My Mum learned from somewhere to pump the brakes when stopping hard - partly I guess to avoid locking up, but also to flash the brake lights to get the attention of the person behind, and it's habit I've inherited. But some visual indication of progressive force would be good.

Except for those who'd think, oh, well, he's not braking very hard yet, I'll not bother.... There's bound to be a few...

 

[BentMikey]

Except for those who'd think, oh, well, he's not braking very hard yet, I'll not bother.... There's bound to be a few...

And for those, I'd like to get a tow hitch.

 

[Alien8]

Except for those who'd think, oh, well, he's not braking very hard yet, I'll not bother.... There's bound to be a few...

...million.

It will all end in tears.

 

[thomas]

My Mum learned from somewhere to pump the brakes when stopping hard - partly I guess to avoid locking up, but also to flash the brake lights to get the attention of the person behind, and it's habit I've inherited.

That is how you stop quickly in a car without ABS. If you have ABS you shouldn't pump the brakes as you will increase your stopping distance.

I don't think that flashing brake lights is the best thing, but do think flashing hazards are good. The time that flashing hazards should be put on are probably the last time someone would have an opportunity to put them on.

However good a driver you are, there is still the possibility that an emergency stop will be required.

 

[Arch]

That is how you stop quickly in a car without ABS. If you have ABS you shouldn't pump the brakes as you will increase your stopping distance.

I don't think that flashing brake lights is the best thing, but do think flashing hazards are good. The time that flashing hazards should be put on are probably the last time someone would have an opportunity to put them on.

However good a driver you are, there is still the possibility that an emergency stop will be required.

Yeah, well, I don't think we've ever owned a car with ABS....