flashing brake lights

[theliman]

do these annoy anyone else?

i am starting to see more and more third brake lights that will flash quickly a few times each time the brakes are used. for some reason, i can't stand them. especially in stop/go traffic.

i know, i know, it's not really a rational response. i think what bothers me is the feeling that they're implying i wouldn't know to stop unless they had this super annoying feature - like I need the help to drive safely (obviously not reality, since they don't know me). but really, it's just people who think it's neat/different or making things safer or whatever. i'm similarly bothered when people over-use the emergency light flashers because they had to slow down for traffic a little more suddenly than normal.

any substance to the idea of this eventually diluting the effect for, like, motorcycles (which often stop quicker than cars and in my mind, are more justified using them)?

sorry to rant. just grinds my gears!

 

[cashmoney]

General public is stupid and needs extra help to protect itself from being stupid.

 

[Bigshankhank]

do these annoy anyone else?

i am starting to see more and more third brake lights that will flash quickly a few times each time the brakes are used. for some reason, i can't stand them. especially in stop/go traffic.

i know, i know, it's not really a rational response. i think what bothers me is the feeling that they're implying i wouldn't know to stop unless they had this super annoying feature - like I need the help to drive safely (obviously not reality, since they don't know me). but really, it's just people who think it's neat/different or making things safer or whatever. i'm similarly bothered when people over-use the emergency light flashers because they had to slow down for traffic a little more suddenly than normal.

any substance to the idea of this eventually diluting the effect for, like, motorcycles (which often stop quicker than cars and in my mind, are more justified using them)?

sorry to rant. just grinds my gears!

I hear ya. Things like this cause me to fixate on them, kind of like the flashing headlights on motorcycles. Which in turn makes me lose focus on other things in traffic because I end up slightly mesmerized by the pretty flashing thing which sort of defeats the purpose. Its one thing to "be more visible", but to do so by creating an annoyance isn't an overall improvement.

 

[ndcent]

I've not seen them on cars, they make good sense on motorcycles.

On my buddy's new BMW 435 I noticed that there is an additional set of brake light in the trunk lid that comes on when he hard stops, interesting.

Lighting I can't stand personally is modulating headlights on motorcycles, where they flash on and off. You have to be one stodgy ass prick to ride a motorcycle with a flashing headlight. I would think that would actually be more dangerous because you'd have a person get all ragey thinking you were messing with them.

 

[CXS]

Those modulating lights make it look like the bike's going over moguls, pretty odd to see and I don't understand the appeal. I don't 'get' people's obsession with lights anyway.

 

[Jernik]

On my buddy's new BMW 435 I noticed that there is an additional set of brake light in the trunk lid that comes on when he hard stops, interesting.

I always wondered why the 3rd light wasn't an LED strip that acts as a gauge. The harder/faster you stop, the more lights light up (from left to right). Would provide more info to the car behind them, as not only would you know they're on the brakes, but you'd quickly see how hard they were braking.

As for people who appear overly cautious/paranoid in traffic, I keep a wary eye on them. They are almost as likely to inadvertently cause an accident as the full blown idiot racing through traffic. If the two happen to meet on the road you're practically guaranteed at least a close call, if not an all out wreck.

 

[wadle5]

I hear ya. Things like this cause me to fixate on them, kind of like the flashing headlights on motorcycles. Which in turn makes me lose focus on other things in traffic because I end up slightly mesmerized by the pretty flashing thing which sort of defeats the purpose. Its one thing to "be more visible", but to do so by creating an annoyance isn't an overall improvement.

Those modulating lights make it look like the bike's going over moguls, pretty odd to see and I don't understand the appeal. I don't 'get' people's obsession with lights anyway.

Wait so motorcycle owners purposefully modify their headlamps to do that? I just assumed it was a fault in the wire or a short. . .or a really crappy ride and was really pitching and bucking back and forth that much?

 

[CXS]

Wait so motorcycle owners purposefully modify their headlamps to do that? I just assumed it was a fault in the wire or a short. . .or a really crappy ride and was really pitching and bucking back and forth that much?

That was my thought until I saw too many different makes /models with those damn lights! Brings to mind the old "That's a feature!" line explaining goofy things.

 

[02SE]

I don't have headlight or taillight modulators on either of my Streetbikes, but I can understand why some riders do.

I always assume I'm invisible while riding. Because with all the braindead, cellphone talking, texting, reading, shaving, eating, cagers out there that apparently can't see, I might as well be.

If those light modulators annoy drivers, well, at least you noticed the Rider.

 

[Jernik]

I don't have headlight or taillight modulators on either of my Streetbikes, but I can understand why some riders do.

I always assume I'm invisible while riding. Because with all the braindead, cellphone talking, texting, reading, shaving, eating, cagers out there that apparently can't see, I might as well be.

If those light modulators annoy drivers, well, at least you noticed the Rider.

Hell, I'm a "cager" and I drive the same way you ride. Expect the unexpected because apparently half the people on the road can't see a full sized pickup or SUV either! Personally, I think you bike riders are out of your freaking minds. Nothing against any of you, but there's no way I would ride amongst these idiots with nothing but a thin piece of leather between me and their bumpers! It's not a matter of IF someone will do something stupid and wipe you out (whether in a 10 foot tall Suburban or on a Sport Bike), but WHEN someone will do something stupid and wipe you out. I'd like to be wrong on that, but... Keep the rubber side down and stay safe ya'll!

On edit: I didn't realize the strobe lights on bikes were a custom mod. I figured they came from factory as a safety feature.

 

[KidVermicious]

I always wondered why the 3rd light wasn't an LED strip that acts as a gauge. The harder/faster you stop, the more lights light up (from left to right). Would provide more info to the car behind them, as not only would you know they're on the brakes, but you'd quickly see how hard they were braking.

I thought that was the point of the blinking 3rd brake light - blinking meant they were lightly on the brakes, solid meant they were braking harder.

 

[Bigshankhank]

On edit: I didn't realize the strobe lights on bikes were a custom mod. I figured they came from factory as a safety feature.

Depends, you can get them factory on some new bikes (HD heavyweight bikes come to mind), or you can add them aftermarket.

Again, its great that they make you more visible, but if it does so by causing an annoyance then you have only created a different problem. Kind of like why no one drives a fully chromed car around, it blinds or distracts drivers around you, and those modulating headlights cause target fixation.

 

[02SE]

Hell, I'm a "cager" and I drive the same way you ride. Expect the unexpected because apparently half the people on the road can't see a full sized pickup or SUV either! Personally, I think you bike riders are out of your freaking minds. Nothing against any of you, but there's no way I would ride amongst these idiots with nothing but a thin piece of leather between me and their bumpers! It's not a matter of IF someone will do something stupid and wipe you out (whether in a 10 foot tall Suburban or on a Sport Bike), but WHEN someone will do something stupid and wipe you out. I'd like to be wrong on that, but... Keep the rubber side down and stay safe ya'll!

There's no question it's dangerous out there. That's why I continually strive to improve and/or maintain my riding ability. I also wear good full gear, which is much better than some fashion-statement assless chaps. I also ride bikes that can out-maneuver and if necessary, out-run most of the cars on the road. The best defense is a good offense.

 

[Jernik]

I thought that was the point of the blinking 3rd brake light - blinking meant they were lightly on the brakes, solid meant they were braking harder.

Could be. I think people would catch on to the sliding scale quicker than deciphering blinking vs solid lights though. But, as they become more common people will figure it out either way.

There's no question it's dangerous out there. That's why I continually strive to improve and/or maintain my riding ability. I also wear good full gear, which is much better than some fashion-statement assless chaps. I also ride bikes that can out-maneuver and if necessary, out-run most of the cars on the road. The best defense is a good offense.

I worked with a guy who rode sport bikes (and often raced on track as a hobby), and I inquired why he was referring to people who rode without full gear as "squids". At the time, people in the area were riding sport bikes in shorts and flip flops (some probably still do). He said "Because that's what they'll look like when they wreck." Kinda funny, but very sobering at the same time.

 

[02SE]

I worked with a guy who rode sport bikes (and often raced on track as a hobby), and I inquired why he was referring to people who rode without full gear as "squids". At the time, people in the area were riding sport bikes in shorts and flip flops (some probably still do). He said "Because that's what they'll look like when they wreck." Kinda funny, but very sobering at the same time.

Yep, it's an old but descriptive term for riders with more enthusiasm, than skill.