Mercedes Lobbies For New Brake Lights In The U.S.

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on October 21, 2005 at 10:10 AM CST

AutoWeek is reporting that Mercedes has asked the National Highway  
Traffic Safety Administration for a two-year exemption from a federal  
law that requires "steady-burning" lights on vehicles.  This request  
comes after a ruling in May, in which the NHTSA rejected Mercedes'  
request to permanently allow flashing brake lights.

Mercedes believes that rather than using steady-burning brake lights,  
cars should instead be outfitted with brake lights that flash rapidly  
in the event of emergency braking, warning drivers of impending  
danger.  Mercedes goes on to point out that in order for the flashing  
lights to function, several criteria must be met, including speeds in  
excess of 31 mph, as well various vehicle deceleration factors.  In  
other words, the flashing lights won't operate in regular braking  
conditions, but only in the event of emergency stopping.

I personally have never seen Mercedes' flashing brake lights first  
hand, but I'm all for any added safety features in new vehicles.  How  
many people have been in a situation where they're traveling at night  
at a high rate of speed, especially on the freeway, when suddenly  
they see brake lights up ahead.  There is no way of telling if the  
driver of the vehicle has slowed downed a little, slammed on his  
brakes, completely stopped... from what I can see with Mercedes'  
flashing lights, this would at least make it easier to judge what's  
going on ahead of you.  Visit www.eMercedesBenz.com for more Mercedes- 
Benz news and information.