New Study Shows Front-Facing Brake Lights Could Save Lives
There’s room for debate over the effectiveness of the some of the latest driver-assistance technologies, but nobody’s downplaying the importance of taillights. Recent studies have looked into adding brake lights to the front of vehicles, and the data suggests that the move could cut the number of crashes on our roads.
ZME Science reported on the study from Graz University of Technology in Austria. Their findings suggest that front-facing brake lights (FBLs) could reduce intersection collisions by as much as 17 percent and lessen the severity of injuries in up to a quarter of crashes.
Front-facing brake lights may look a little goofy at first, but the benefits could be numerous. Other drivers would be able to see vehicles’ braking activities from front and side angles more easily, making them more likely to react if there’s a problem.
Judging drivers’ reaction times, the study team found that almost a fifth of crashes could have been avoided with front brake lights. In another 25.5 percent of crashes, the lights may not prevent the accident, but would reduce the speed of impact and severity of injuries.
We don’t even have to install big, red brake lights to make a difference. Smaller green lights were shown to be effective on the front and sides of a vehicle, and they’re cheaper and less visually impactful to install.
[Images: kukurund, joshbryan via Shutterstock]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
More by Chris Teague
Comments
Join the conversation
Regulators gotta regulate. They wouldn’t be doing their job if they didn’t come up with new rules. Hey while they’re at it. They need bring back the 2 mph speed limit and have someone walk in front of true car for safety. Also they need to link the automated braking system to people head break lights. So you stop when people behind you slow down.
Just more distractions for already terrible and inconsiderate drivers. You want to prevent accidents then don't drink and drive, be considerate and pay attention. And to quote ToolGuy "learn to drive".