This Brake Light Trick Could Significantly Reduce Crashes | Carscoops

      According to traffic experts, adding brake lights to the front of vehicles could enhance safety. A study conducted by researchers at TU Graz indicates that equipping cars with front brake lights could lower accident rates by as much as 17 percent.

      The presence of a visual signal on the front of a vehicle decreases the response time of other drivers on the road.

      It has been nearly 40 years since the U.S. mandated a third, high-level brake light, a change that has significantly reduced numerous accidents and likely saved many lives. Now, researchers propose that accident occurrence could be further minimized by introducing front-mounted stoplights.

      Previous suggestions have been made for installing brake lights at the front, based on the idea that they can clearly communicate an oncoming vehicle's actions to others on the road, thereby decreasing the likelihood of drivers misjudging an approaching vehicle’s intentions when exiting intersections.

      New Evidence Indicates Tangible Benefits

      A team at the Institute of Vehicle Safety in TU Graz, Austria, claims to have the data to support this notion. They analyzed 200 real-world accidents, reconstructing them through computer simulations, and noted that drivers who could see a front brake light would exhibit quicker reaction times.

      The study showed that incorporating a front brake light could potentially reduce collision incidents by 7.5 to 17 percent, depending on drivers’ reaction times in each simulated situation. While an additional light wouldn’t eliminate all crashes, it did help lower impact speeds in about 25 percent of the scenarios, diminishing both the number and severity of potential injuries.

      However, in roughly a third of the accidents modeled, researchers noted that drivers wouldn’t have been able to see a front brake light; thus, they recommend that brake lights be included on the sides of new vehicles as well.

      TU Graz

      Unlike some previous safety innovations—like the bulky bumpers from the 1970s or early unsightly airbags—implementing front and side brake lights wouldn’t present significant difficulties for automakers, nor would it detract from vehicle aesthetics. Nonetheless, it could greatly enhance safety.

      Practical Testing Shows Potential

      The Graz researchers highlighted an earlier real-world study conducted in Slovakia that, while lacking specific data on accident reduction, demonstrated that drivers found the technology helpful and easy to comprehend.

      In this study, 3,072 vehicles were equipped with front brake lights for a duration of six to 11 months. Most surveyed drivers reported favorable experiences at the conclusion of the test, with 75 percent in favor of incorporating front lights in new vehicles.

      So, do you believe front and side brake lights should be the next advancement in vehicle safety? Share your thoughts in the comments.