Safety Note: Brake Lights per NHTSA

[AJ]

Having been in the fire service now for over 27+ years, having a teenage driver and recently seeing numerous brake lights out on vehicles on the road. I thought I share a NHTSA report showing the effectiveness of the 3rd brake light on vehicles.

The Center High Mounted Stop Lamps (CHMSL) are still considered to be very effective in preventing accidents per the NHTSA especially during daytime hours.

Basically check your brake lights please!!

Sorry the fire guy in me is showing....

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/Cars/rules/regrev/evaluate/808696.html

[Donn29]

I've had the 'rear lights out' light come on a few times in the cressy and its such a nice thing.

[Greg G]

exactly why I hate DIY smoked tails and non amber rear turn sigs.

[AJ]

Amen Brother!!!


exactly why I hate DIY smoked tails and non amber rear turn sigs.

[SuperSubs]

Man!! You are going to scare me into getting a high mount back on my car pronto! ;)

-Mike

[84ptype]

I have been really thinking about putting in one of the stip LED lights on the under side of the upper spoiler on my 85. One almost like that run along under the tail gate of a truck.

Cause my car is lowered I think the high up the car the better.
My tail lights are tinted. but are still really bright even in day light hours. I will be doing a LED mod to them soon and making them even brighter and more noticeable tho.

[SuperSubs]

exactly why I hate DIY smoked tails and non amber rear turn sigs.


I also agree. I have way too much money invested in paint and body to be looking for ways to trick people to run into me on accident.


-Mike

[kmfdmk]

I am 100% sure that having a LED "Line of Fire" mounted underneath my rear 85 sunshade would have prevented the nearly $4000 worth of damage to my Supra when I got rear-ended last July. Seriously, uber-bright Red LED's @ head-height would have gotten their attention.

I've also been hunting around for the circuit that makes the brake lights blink twice then stay on during a brake pedal depression, it's like BLINK-BLINK-STEADY. I've noticed that Squad/EMS/Ambulances run them in the SE Ohio area. (along with LED Tail/Brake/Run lights too). It's VERY noticable, and you DEFINITELY notice when they apply their brakes.

I originally thought that it was the Ambulance driver, but it was too quick, too even, and it was repeated everytime the ambulance slowed down so I figured it must be some kind of circuitry.

By the By, ALL of my tail/brake/run lights worked before AND after getting rear ended.

[AJ]

Sorry didnt mean to Mike, but your thread actually caused me to look into the Center High Mounted Stop Lamps (CHMSL) issue...


Man!! You are going to scare me into getting a high mount back on my car pronto! ;)

-Mike

[rexgo]

I have been really thinking about putting in one of the stip LED lights on the under side of the upper spoiler on my 85...
I think this is a good idea


I also agree. I have way too much money invested in paint and body to be looking for ways to trick people to run into me on accident. -Mike
Double agree - the thought scares the shit out of me


I am 100% sure that having a LED "Line of Fire" mounted underneath my rear 85 sunshade would have prevented the nearly $4000 worth of damage to my Supra....
Yep - that settles it - I'm on the hunt too.

Arch - look what you started I had the same thoughts as soon as I read your post.

[AJ]

Tom, glad to be of service...I think...

[KJK_Texas]

I need something like this as well (CHMSL). I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

[rexgo]

...I've also been hunting around for the circuit that makes the brake lights blink twice then stay on during a brake pedal depression, it's like BLINK-BLINK-STEADY. I've noticed that Squad/EMS/Ambulances run them in the SE Ohio area. (along with LED Tail/Brake/Run lights too). It's VERY noticable, and you DEFINITELY notice when they apply their brakes....

This circuit looks like it will do the job, a couple of options, and at a decent price - good example shown:http://www.kahtec.com/smart_stop.htm

Both the Blinking Smart Stop Standard and "Delay" versions of the Brake Light Flasher lets you maximize your Brake Light Effectiveness. This compact State-of-the-Art solid-state electronic module converts your ordinary center brake light into an attention getting visual aid alerting device when you are braking. With the Blinking Smart Stop installed, when you apply your brakes, it causes your center high mounted third brake light to automatically emit a visual alerting signal by flashing the light approximately 6 times before entering the steady-state on red light condition.

[Prplehz]

I have been really thinking about putting in one of the stip LED lights on the under side of the upper spoiler on my 85. One almost like that run along under the tail gate of a truck.

OMG, I saw one of those on a truck yesterday. I pointed it out to the gf and said exactly what you just did, placement and everything. Damn that is weird. Just makes me want to do it even more. :thumbsup:

I think that people are so used to looking at the 3rd light, that they kind of ignore the others, and just get used to looking at the 3rd one. And if there is no 3rd light well, in some peoples eyes there may as well be no brake lights. That was what made me think of it. Great point to bring up.

[84ptype]

http://www.pickupspecialties.com/LED_light_bar/led_tailgate_light_bar_fire_strips.htm
tucked nicely under the 85 upper spoiler so not noticeable till it comes on.

[ABUSEDDOG]

Agree completeley. I think it would have saved my last smack from behind as well.

I was driving behind a cady suv withe three strip led's. Seemed like you could have seen the thing from outer space, it was so bright.

[kmfdmk]

This circuit looks like it will do the job, a couple of options, and at a decent price - good example shown:http://www.kahtec.com/smart_stop.htm

Both the Blinking Smart Stop Standard and "Delay" versions of the Brake Light Flasher lets you maximize your Brake Light Effectiveness. This compact State-of-the-Art solid-state electronic module converts your ordinary center brake light into an attention getting visual aid alerting device when you are braking. With the Blinking Smart Stop installed, when you apply your brakes, it causes your center high mounted third brake light to automatically emit a visual alerting signal by flashing the light approximately 6 times before entering the steady-state on red light condition.

Pretty much what I was talking about, although this was a more rapid blinking rate, about 2 or 3 times per second. I'll definitely look into that, not bad really. $23 bucks towards getting noticed and NOT rear-ended.

[rexgo]

...tucked nicely under the 85 upper spoiler so not noticeable till it comes on.

good location - I'm thinking something like this with the circuit above:http://www.levineautoparts.com/trucklite-chmsl-led-92100.html
http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/levineauto_2099_15696850..http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/levineauto_2094_9082280

[Wolfgang]

Been hit from behind, it sucks. My gimped neck and the poor job craftsman collision did can attest that you dont want this to happen. Lights are a good thing.. Has me thinking about redoing my 3rd light now...

[kmfdmk]

I was actually thinking of something more along these lines and cheaper as well.

$22.95 + S&H
Bully - LED Line of Fire (http://cgi.ebay.com/BULLY-48-60-LINE-OF-FIRE-LED-LIGHTS-STRIP-BRAKE-LIGHT_W0QQitemZ250601708144QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMoto rs_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3a59069a70 )

http://www.dieseloutfitters.com/DzlStore/images/product_photo-large_image-221.jpg


RED LED Running Lights
RED LED Parking Lights
RED LED Brake Lights (6x brighter than running lights)
RED LED Hazard Lights
RED LED Turn Signals


I HAVE measured though, and 48" (the skinniest you can make the "Line of Fire" is still about 2 or 3" too wide. It would take some modification to eliminate the extra LED's on either end and complete the circuit. However it's not that challenging.

[DreadyDiggs]

The F150's turn signals are the brake lights. One was out, both are good now. I definitely try to keep space between those around when me when I'm in the truck. I notice myself doing it alot more than when I'm in the Supra (cause I'm usually passing everyone) haha.

If you can see my brake lights you better be able to notice one of them bitches flashing and the other one isn't. Oh and I installed a new flasher too, just to make sure it was flashing at correct speed (turns out the old one was dying as I suspected).

[supra_07]

awe man i am going to have to go buy one of those l.e.d light strips.

[one2spooku]

I wouldn't run the led strips. They look great on some trucks though. I do actually blink my brake lights when I think someone isn't seeing them. I am a paranoid bastard. I get really edgy when Im stopped on freeway and stuff like that. Traffic sucks, I usually only have to deal with it one day a week where Im at. Always checking the rearview when Im stuck at a light.

I remember my mothers new car getting crushed by a huge truck. She was in town when the douche bag attempted to run over the top of her. Lady was busy reading prescriptions. 45MPH at a stoplight did some damage. Could have been worse.

I drive "Aggressively Defensive"

Honestly, drive like an idiot half the time, but always watch out for the idiots surrounding me.

Now getting an 86 Super White hatch would kick ass. I would love to find one.

[kdsii]

AWESOME Info Arch!!!

This is EXACTLY the reason I was looking for an '86.

Anything that keeps some idiot from rear-ending me is a plus in my book!

I'd love to see a clean LED install on the upper sunshade on an 85 hatch.

[AJ]

Thanks Karl!!

AND another one of my other OCD threads on shoulder belts is why I had rear shoulder belts in the 86 x 20+yrs... and the wifes ole 86 Celi GTS had em as well...


AWESOME Info Arch!!!

This is EXACTLY the reason I was looking for an '86.

Anything that keeps some idiot from rear-ending me is a plus in my book!

I'd love to see a clean LED install on the upper sunshade on an 85 hatch.

[AJ]

IF my truck didnt have the 3rd brake light I would run one of the those hitch brake lights, IMO works very well to get the driver behind yous attention...


The F150's turn signals are the brake lights. One was out, both are good now. I definitely try to keep space between those around when me when I'm in the truck. I notice myself doing it alot more than when I'm in the Supra (cause I'm usually passing everyone) haha.

If you can see my brake lights you better be able to notice one of them bitches flashing and the other one isn't. Oh and I installed a new flasher too, just to make sure it was flashing at correct speed (turns out the old one was dying as I suspected).

[Supradavis]

Here's the write-up I did on installing a 3rd brake light from an '88 Supra turbo...

http://forums.celicasupra.com/showthread.php?t=41425

And a picture of it for this thread! :)

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e196/supradavis/88light_on86wing1.jpg

And the night shot...

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e196/supradavis/88light_litup.jpg