> Those third brake lights that, when the brake pedal is initially applied,
> flash a certain number of times (I've seen 3 and 4) and then stay on
> steadily. Or worse yet, the ones that always flash and never stay on
> steadily.
I can see why some might think they're better - flashing lights generally
attract more attention than steady lights. That's why emergency vehicles
light up like Christmas trees. But to me, part of the safety benefit of
third brake lights is that they change the way the back of your car looks.
Instead of two lights glowing, it's three bright lights. It's a distinctive
lighting arrangement my eyes can pick out and instantly identify as braking.
It annoys me when an old 2 brake light car has a signal on and pumps the
brake so that you can't tell which side is flashing because of the signal
and which is flashing because the guy doesn't know how to use his brakes.
> Peripheral vision, by its very nature, is more sensitive to a steady light
> pulse than a flashing one.
Really? I hadn't heard of that, but I don't doubt you. That distinctive
rear aspect of a 3 brake light car catches my attention whether it's right
in front of me or in my peripheral vision.
> By far the best new brake light accessory that I've seen (and IMHO should
be
> required) is the LED brake lights as opposed to the standard 100+ year old
> incandescent bulbs. Now THOSE are some bright attention grabbing lights!!
I agree! The short time it takes for an incandescent bulb to light up is
eliminated with the LEDs. Or how about the neon lights (not Dodge/Plymouth
Neons in this context ;) ) a few cars are using? I know the Z8's got them
(now there's a common autox car - NOT! Though I'd love to see what it can
do) Speaking of BMWs, how about this device they're working on for the 7
series... It lights up more and more of the brake light depending on how
hard the driver is pressing on the brake. It sounds like this might fall
into the same category as your flashing third brake light as far as
annoyance factor.
> And another thing. What's with these rich (a highly relative term I
> realize) idiots in their newer Lexii, Infinitys, Mercedeseses, Bimmers,
etc
> that drive around for weeks with a headlight or tail light burned out.
Are
> people really that stupid and inattentive these days that they aren't
> noticing these important safety items? Apparently excessive amounts of
> money tends to dull the senses.
Heehee - I've wondered that myself! Well, I'm a rich (NOT!) idiot (maybe)
with an old 320i (that cost me just barely 4 digits) that not only keeps all
the lights functioning perfectly, but adds more! Fog/driving lights (each
housing incorporates two separate lights, one of each), extra brake lights
using the unused rear fog light lenses... :)
> (BTW, these are the same folks who generally have cell phones glued to
their ears.)
I have a ham radio, but not in that car (it's been known to reside there
temporarily on long trips).
> Or, and.....................My God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Cuz you drive a Neon. ;)
- Justin
95 SC2 "Locutus"
83 320i "Igor"
both with fully functional proper illumination :)
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