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Study Urges Automakers to Fit Front and Side Brake Lights to Cut Collisions

Leveraging computer simulations alongside a large-scale on-road trial, TU Graz researchers report that front and side brake lights accelerate driver responses to braking.

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Front Mounted Brake Light

Overview

  • A TU Graz simulation of 200 real-life accidents found front-mounted brake lights could cut collisions by 7.5 %–17 % by speeding up recognition of braking.
  • In about 25 % of simulated crashes, front lights also reduced impact speeds, offering potential to lower injury severity.
  • Researchers observed that front brake lights alone would be obscured in roughly one-third of scenarios, leading to a proposal for side-mounted signals.
  • An 11-month Slovak field trial with 3,072 vehicles recorded 75 % driver support for front brake lights and widespread reports of improved road visibility.
  • Investigators are now recommending that automakers and regulators standardize front and side brake lights on new vehicles to enhance safety with minimal design alterations.