[Healeys] 3rd Brake LIght

[John Sims]

Our tax dollars at work. There may be some truth to this HOWEVER, the
existing stop lights on a Healey are mounted very low. Mounting a third
brake light on the rear shroud puts the stop light right at eye level for
the driver following you. And, since they are LED's, they are much, much
more bright than the stock Healey lights which are practically  invisible in
daylight. All I know is that since I have mounted my third brake light, I
have noticed an absence of quick stops by the cars following me.

John Sims, BN6
Aberdeen, NJ
 
http://www.healey6.com

-----Original Message-----
From: healeys-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net]
On Behalf Of Jack Feldman
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 10:51 AM
To: healeys at autox.team.net
Subject: [Healeys] 3rd Brake LIght

The discussion of tube/tubeless tire reminded me that I wanted to
investigate a statement made some time ago about 3rd brake lights being only
5% effective. I am a firm believer in 3rd brake lights, having tried to put
one on an old PO jeep before 1986..

I googled it and came up with a Department of Transportation study of the
issue:  http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/808696.pdf

The person who said 5% was optimistic. The study shows that initially. it
was effective 8/5%, of the time,  but as people go used to them the
effectiveness dropped to 4.3 percent. I still believe in them, having
installed both the lights behind the reflector and the Chevy Malibu
modification. on my BT7.  My MGC has one that I got at a flea-market. It was
made for the aftermarket, clipping on the boot. The GT has one in the rear
window.

However, the report concludes that "Even though the effectiveness of CHMSL
has declined from its initial levels, the lamps are and will continue to be
highly  cost-effective safety devices."  I'm not sure that 4/3% is so great,
but obviously, I would rather have one than not.

Jack
$12.75
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