LexFather

More examples below. Now I've stated most all brands are affected but I could not help but notice most are Honda/Acura vehicles of the sort...the same with the thread where I posted tons of those asshats double parking for no damn reason.

Getting off that soapbox, people are just RUDE and simply DO NOT consider other drivers. People drive with no lights working, one headlight working, bald tires, poorly maintained cars then want to have their 110hp car in the fast lane while on the cell phone. People don't want to use signals, don't want to be courteous and feel the road is a right!

BRAKE LIGHTS BROKEN AND NOT USING TURN SIGNALS IS #)($)#( DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT OR IN THE FOG/RAIN!!!!

Faymester

While we're on the topic of Honda/Acura and malfunctioning lights: why are so many of the this-gen Civics driving around with their high beams on all the time??? Someone who has been in this gen of Civic please, please, please tell me why. Are the ergonomics just that bad? (and if that's not the reason then there better be a really interesting reaosn why, becaue if not, then it just shows that ... no, I wont say it that way ... let's say that it shows Mike has been right all along about the Honda/Acura driver)

Amini9

before I used to drive (sat in the passenger side acting like I knew everything) I always hated cars with the red turn signals. Got me really confused.. like what if they are braking wierd.

good to see amber turn signals.

felixsc300

iTrader: (5)

I usually prefer amber signals over red, unless they're LEDs. Either way this is a pretty interesting mandate.

mmarshall

In general, most of the cars I see with burned-out headlights/taillights are European makes, not Honda/Acura products. That goes along with their generally unreliable electronics. VW's seem to be the worst.....a high percentage of them more than a year or two old seem to have wiring/bulb/socket problems. So do a number of Volvos.

pagemaster

I am not 100% but I don't believe the bulbs on most new cars are actually amber. I think the rear reflector in the light unit is painted amber to reflect amber the rest is clear

pagemaster

Not sure about new Toyota/Lexus models but some of the older Lexus models and some select Toyota models would light up a dash light if the rear light bulb burned out. This would be a feature to mandate.

Do you know if your Lexus has this?

IS-SV

GM trucks (pickups and SUVs) also should be on the list. They have crappy DRLs that are often burned out. Notice how often you see these trucks driving around with only one DRL (white light). GM likes to blame the bulb supplier, instead of taking responsibility and control of their end product.

Mercedes in the dark years (2001 to 2007) of poor reliability had constant troubles with brake light assemblies, but they had a "backup system" so that alternate bulbs would allow minimal brake lighting to still shine.

Lets Drive

iTrader: (3)

I think in the vast majority of cases, the 3rd brake light helps make the distinction between a turn and an actual braking situation. In the day time, none of the lights are likely to be on, unless signaling, anyway.

I think the bigger problem is people not using their signals, and then the lack of lane discipline in the US. If drivers used their signals within the proper distance specified by the law, you would have more than enough time to notice the blinking light, especially with a safe following distance most should respect. It just gets overly complicated when people don't use signals followed by an insistence to pass on the right or cut people off, constantly, with only brief notification that they are changing lanes...most times while already in the process of turning.

Though I see the logic, amber signals won’t fix either of these.

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

No, he doesn't have it good. He lives in Florida where trying to drive over 60mph in the left lane means dodging Q-tips like you're on a slolam course where the cones have highly infectious, air born swine flu.

At least when we aren't in traffic we can drive like a-holes going 80mph in the left lane on the connector

LexFather

Not in his part of Florida

IS-SV

I agree that amber signals don't fix a lot of the problems mentioned including lack of lane discipline and lack of signal use in the US.

But I see the benefit of amber signals. Many times when approaching behind another car at an angle while in next lane, I've seen the flash of a red light and had to look carefully to see if it's a brake light or a signal. It's a split second of extra reaction time that I feel should not be necessary. But that's just my observation or opinion based on 30+ years of driving. And many vehicles with red signals share the same brake light and turn signal light, which doesn't help.

tex2670

I think the bigger problem is when the turn signal does double duty with the brake light. Then you have one side blinking and one side solid. It would seem that the mandate should include a turn signal bulb separate from the brakes, regardless of color.

tex2670

What do you expect when people drive around and don't even realize they are driving (1) without any lights, (2) just the DRLs, (3) with their high beams blinding me (even after me flashing them)?? Some people just have no clue.