NHTSA considering amber turn signal mandate
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From: Jupiter, FL
NHTSA considering amber turn signal mandate
http://www.leftlanenews.com/nhtsa-co...l-mandate.html
I know many people are probably against this, but I'm all for it. I hate red signals because they are more difficult to notice - especially in the day.
While many cars sold in North America feature red turn signal indicators built into their rear light clusters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the amber signals installed in some cars can be more than 5 percent more effective at preventing wrecks than their red counterparts, which the agency says blend too much with brake lights.
The agency says it is considering mandating orange turn signals, rather than allow automakers to choose the color, for the near future.
European countries have long required orange turn signals for the rear, while the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. has not regulated the color.
Analysts say that the change would not be costly for automakers since it would merely require a change in lens color.
The agency says it is considering mandating orange turn signals, rather than allow automakers to choose the color, for the near future.
European countries have long required orange turn signals for the rear, while the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. has not regulated the color.
Analysts say that the change would not be costly for automakers since it would merely require a change in lens color.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Greenville, SC
I do like the orange turn signlas at the back of cars a lot more than the red ones. I agree with the article, unfortunately, here in SC, most drivers have NO idea where their turn signal switch is located so it wouldn't really matter.
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From: Ohio
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From: The Golden State
This was initially considered back in the 1970s (one reason why Ford put them on Mustang IIs and a couple of other new cars).
Some car makers have trick lights that look red (or white) until the signals are activated.
If those lights are required here, I imagine we'd see better integration of them than we see on the relatively low production export Vettes and Camaros.
Some car makers have trick lights that look red (or white) until the signals are activated.
If those lights are required here, I imagine we'd see better integration of them than we see on the relatively low production export Vettes and Camaros.
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From: Ontario
This would definitely be a good change. Sometimes you can only see one half of the car ahead of you, and you have only a brief second to decide if they're tapping their brakes or using their signals/flashers. Amber lights solve that.
As for the difficulty of implementing this, I imagine the wiring issue could potentially be more thorny than the colour of the lens. If a car uses only one light for both brakes and turn signals, they'd likely need another set of wires run back there to separate them.
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Joined: Nov 1998
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From: Knoxville, TN
I'm convinced that the various automotive factories received 3/4s of their car orders without the "turn signal" block checked on the option sheet.
Has to be the reason the vast majority of people don't use them.
Has to be. Thus, this is a silly law that will do nothing....though it makes no difference to me otherwise.
Has to be the reason the vast majority of people don't use them.
Has to be. Thus, this is a silly law that will do nothing....though it makes no difference to me otherwise.
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From: Jupiter, FL
I'm pretty sure it's actually against the law to use turn signals in Michigan. Or drive in anything except the passing lane (but that's another thread).
This would definitely be a good change. Sometimes you can only see one half of the car ahead of you, and you have only a brief second to decide if they're tapping their brakes or using their signals/flashers. Amber lights solve that.
As for the difficulty of implementing this, I imagine the wiring issue could potentially be more thorny than the colour of the lens. If a car uses only one light for both brakes and turn signals, they'd likely need another set of wires run back there to separate them.
This would definitely be a good change. Sometimes you can only see one half of the car ahead of you, and you have only a brief second to decide if they're tapping their brakes or using their signals/flashers. Amber lights solve that.
As for the difficulty of implementing this, I imagine the wiring issue could potentially be more thorny than the colour of the lens. If a car uses only one light for both brakes and turn signals, they'd likely need another set of wires run back there to separate them.
I also have to disagree with the driving in Michigan. I lived there a few years and it was so much better than Florida. Come down south and you'll see how bad lack of signal usage and driving in the fast lane can be.
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From: SoCal
From a safety perspective I'd have to agree with what the findings of the NHTSA.
From a styling perspective I'd rather see less constraints as some cars look good with amber turn signals and some don't. The 2010 Mustang with the sequential red turn lamps is a great example. The C6 on the other hand looks fine either way.
In CA it's only ok to use your turn signals after you're already in the process of changing lanes. Never before or someone will move up to block.
From a styling perspective I'd rather see less constraints as some cars look good with amber turn signals and some don't. The 2010 Mustang with the sequential red turn lamps is a great example. The C6 on the other hand looks fine either way.
In CA it's only ok to use your turn signals after you're already in the process of changing lanes. Never before or someone will move up to block.
Last edited by 99SilverSS; Jul 7, 2009 at 04:58 PM.