Flashing brake lights if vehicle behind is too close?

[Yelper85]

Hi all,

After your expertise again.

I've been told that my car brake lights will flash is somebody behind me is too close, now for obvious reasons I'm reluctant to try this so thought I'd see if you guys could shed some light on this. Couple of questions:

1. Is this information correct?
2. Does it just flash or change intensity or do wacky patterns etc?
3. Does it only do this if I'm braking or will it do it regardless if somebody gets too close?

[RonFleet]

Sounds a bit hinky to me. I believe that the brake lights will start flashing if you are standing on the brakes in an emergency, though.

[john.wigley]

I wasn't aware that some cars have the technology to do this automatically, 'Yelper85', but thinking about it, I would think it definitely possible.

When I was preparing for my IAM test (over 40 years ago) I was told that it was good practice, in the event of another driver either following uncomfortably closely or closing fast not appearing to be losing speed, to depress the brake pedal lightly to illuminate the car's brake lights, but not to unnecessarily slow down, so as to avoid annoying or inconveniencing the other driver.

In an age of adaptive cruise control, lane divergence systems and the like, I see no reason why the function that you describe could not be made automatic in the interests of road safety.

Regards, John.

[Deck1ng]

Originally Posted by Yelper85

Hi all,

After your expertise again.

I've been told that my car brake lights will flash is somebody behind me is too close, now for obvious reasons I'm reluctant to try this so thought I'd see if you guys could shed some light on this. Couple of questions:

1. Is this information correct?
2. Does it just flash or change intensity or do wacky patterns etc?
3. Does it only do this if I'm braking or will it do it regardless if somebody gets too close?

Not seen my 2012 do any of these things D5 AWD SE.

[Yelper85]

Evening all,

I can certainly see the logic behind it from a safety perspective, as to whether the offending driver would take a blind bit of notice is another question.

In fact, once they relise it's only a warning I'm pretty sure it will only serve to irritate them and get closer.

I suppose I'm basing this on the fact I've got BLIS, but it could still be true.

I'll just have to wait for a situation where I can see my brake lights come on and some moron decides he wants to sit in the back seat. Shouldn't take too long for me to report back

As for flashing with emergency braking, it definitely does this. Not sure just how much force is required or if it's a combination of braking force and speed reduction but it's definitely there as standard.

[jasmith44]

Originally Posted by Deck1ng

Not seen my 2012 do any of these things D5 AWD SE.

You would be hard pressed to see if it does it if you are driving it.

[Deck1ng]

Originally Posted by Deck1ng

Not seen my 2012 do any of these things D5 AWD SE.

Quote,
Emergency brake lights and automatic hazard warning flashers.

Emergency brake lights are activated to alert vehicles behind about sudden braking. The function means that the brake light flashers instead of, As in normal braking, shining with a constant glow,
Emergency brake lights are activated at speeds above 50 km/h if ABS system is working and/or in the event of sudden braking. After the cars speed has been slowed to 10km/h the brake lights will return from flashing to a normal constant glow, while at the same time the hazard warning lights are activated, and they flash until the driver changes engine speed with the accelerator pedal or they are deactivated with the button.

[Wagon Sailor]

Originally Posted by john.wigley

When I was preparing for my IAM test (over 40 years ago) I was told that it was good practice, in the event of another driver either following uncomfortably closely or closing fast not appearing to be losing speed, to depress the brake pedal lightly to illuminate the car's brake lights, but not to unnecessarily slow down, so as to avoid annoying or inconveniencing the other driver.

Conversely, I was taught not to do this. The danger is that the driver behind will brake too hard and for those behind, unexpectedly. A chain reaction is set up and an accident becomes likely.

[john.wigley]

Originally Posted by Wagon Sailor

Conversely, I was taught not to do this. The danger is that the driver behind will brake too hard and for those behind, unexpectedly. A chain reaction is set up and an accident becomes likely.

Different observers, different ideas, 'W.S.'. Judgement call depending upon circumstances, perhaps? If no other following traffic, I see no problem in alerting a following driver to one's presence in order to avoid the possibility of (an avoidable) rear end collision.

Regards, John.

[glynh]

always thought this was due to ABS activating