A Look At Mercedes' Flashing Brake Lights

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on February 17, 2006 

As you can probably tell from my lack of posting, it's been another  
tremendously slow day for Mercedes news; however shoveling the 8+  
inches of snow we received yesterday has managed to keep me somewhat  
preoccupied.

While taking a brake from my outdoor activities, I did manage to find  
one story today that I had to bring you - it's actually an update to  
story we brought you way back in October of last year.

At the time, Mercedes was trying to introduce flashing brake lights  
to the American market. Already adopted by the European market, the  
brake lights are activated at about 30 mph, and function by flashing  
rapidly anytime brake pressure is suddenly applied.

Although to me the feature sounded like a logical progression to  
improving driving safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety  
Administration disagreed, due largely in part to a law requiring  
steady-burning vehicle lights.  In an effort to plead their case,  
Mercedes-Benz asked for a two-year exemption from the law, and asked  
that they be allowed to prove their technology really could help  
reduce rear-end collisions.

All of that leads me to this - it turns out, the NHTSA accepted  
Mercedes' offer, and has granted them their wish of a two-year  
exemption from the law (within limits, of course).  MSNBC is  
reporting the story, and has questioned whether or not flashing brake  
lights really will benefit drivers.

If you read my last story, you already know how I feel about the  
subject. Mercedes has always been at the forefront of vehicle safety  
and technology, and to me this is yet another example bolstering my  
case.

I'll let you form your own opinions, and if you want to hear what  
MSNBC has to say about the subject, visit www.eMercedesBenz.com for  
the full story.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some shoveling to attend to.

For more Mercedes-Benz news and information, visit  
www.eMercedesBenz.com.