Safety Benefits Of Flashing Rear End Brake Lights
Rear End Alerts give drivers a proven safety advantage. Studies show that just a fraction of a second of extra warning will dramatically decrease rear end collisions.
History and Advantages of Rear End Alerts
•When the third brake light (the Center High Mounted Stop Lamp, CHMSL) became mandatory on passenger vehicles in 1986, rear impact crashes were reduced by a dramatic 8.5%.
•Within 5 years, the advantage leveled off at 4.3% as drivers adjusted to the third brake light.
National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration
•When nearly half of all passenger vehicle accidents are rear-end collisions, that adds up to approximately 2.4 million annual accidents that occur when the driver and/or passengers aren’t expecting it!
•Every year this causes over 2,000 deaths and 950,000 injuries. All in total, it will cost Americans $18.3 billion each year and rising.
Emergency Stopping Efficiency
•Pumping your brakes during an emergency stop to warn following drivers actually decreases the braking efficiency of today’s sophisticated ABS brakes.
•R.E.D. Alert automatically flashes an alert, allowing drivers to apply constant braking pressure for maximum ABS braking efficiency.
A Study By A Major Vehicle Manufacturer Estimates
•An extra second of warning would prevent about 90 percent of rear-end collisions.
•A half-second of additional warning, would prevent about 60 percent of rear-end collisions.
•Even as little as .25 second can decrease stopping distance by 20 feet on a vehicle traveling 60 mph.
The Solution
•Stop tailgating. By providing more room for everyone on the road by not following too closely, drivers can significantly reduce the chance for accidents.
•Avoid multi-tasking. Whether it’s shuffling papers, changing the radio station, applying lipstick, eating a burger or checking a phone call, distractions can increase the chance for accidents. Try to wait.
•Brush up on safe driving habits. Prevent rear-end collisions by remembering back to drivers education or a safety course to improve good habits. Remember to double check and pass carefully and obey other traffic rules.
•Install R.E.D. Alert device. By adding a R.E.D. Alert device to your car, you’ll make it easier for others to see you on the road. This increased visibility will reduce the chances of being rear-ended by others and contribute to brake light safety.