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From: chuq@sun.uucp (Chuq Von Rospach)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Third Brake Light (add one yourself for pre-86 cars).
Message-ID: <3109@sun.uucp>
Date: Fri, 3-Jan-86 13:24:19 EST
Article-I.D.: sun.3109
Posted: Fri Jan  3 13:24:19 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 5-Jan-86 01:11:58 EST
References: <172@hropus.UUCP> <3217@hplabsb.UUCP>
Organization: The Hackers Line
Lines: 18

> > If you've been at all observant, you may have noticed that 86 cars have
> > a third brake light, per BIG BROTHER.  Supposedly they significantly
> > reduce rear-enders, and seem like a very good idea....	
> 
> Why do we need another light?  Who came up with this one?  Seeing some
> of the third brake lights it reminds me of a police car.  Maybe this is
> the reason for reducing rear-enders.

The Big Brother is the NHTSA, and the studies have shown a 50% reduction in
rear-end accidents when there is a brake light visible at viewing level. It
isn't because it looks like a police car, but simply because you see if it you
are looking beyond the car in front of you -- the lower brake lights can get
missed if you aren't paying attention to them.
-- 
:From catacombs of Castle Tarot:        Chuq Von Rospach 
sun!chuq@decwrl.DEC.COM                 {hplabs,ihnp4,nsc,pyramid}!sun!chuq

It's not looking, it's heat seeking.