[Healeys] 3rd Brake LIght

[Michael Oritt]

Jack and all--

Without debating the conclusions reached in the study I think the increased
effectiveness on cars such as ours, esp. the earliest ones that had minimal
lighting mounted very low to the ground, would be worth the effort.

On my 100 originally all of the rear signal lighting came via two
relatively small lamps which combined tail, brake and signal lights, with
two small reflector pods mounted just above them as a sop to safety.  I
electrified the pods so that my turn signals run through them and have a
multi-segment LED third brake light mounted on the top of the rear scuttle
which goes on along with the bright filament in the original lights when
the brakes are activated.

Anything, including more and brighter bulbs--coupled with defensive
driving--can only help.

Best--Michael Oritt

On Sun, Jul 8, 2012 at 10:51 AM, Jack Feldman <qualitas.jack at gmail.com>wrote:

> 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
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