Topic: NHTSA considering amber turn signal mandate

[Leviathan]

http://www.leftlanenews.com/nhtsa-considering-amber-turn-signal-mandate.html

By Andrew Ganz

While many cars sold in North America feature red turn signal indicators built into their rear light clusters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the amber signals installed in some cars can be more than 5 percent more effective at preventing wrecks than their red counterparts, which the agency says blend too much with brake lights.

The agency says it is considering mandating orange turn signals, rather than allow automakers to choose the color, for the near future.

European countries have long required orange turn signals for the rear, while the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. has not regulated the color.

Analysts say that the change would not be costly for automakers since it would merely require a change in lens color.

[Mitlov]

Two thumbs up.  Just makes sense, really.

[onearmed]

The worst offenders are the cars with the same light as the brake light for their rear turn signal.  There is sometimes a lengthy delay to realize the guy isn't stopping but he has his turn signal on (usually no side repeaters on the car as well).  I am all for this, I've always thought amber turn signals are much more safer and easier to distinguish. Never understood why companies would change the colour back for N.A.

[The Mighty Duck]

  At the very least, tail lights playing double duty as turn signals should not be allowed.  That's just silly - and dangerous.

[tpl]

About time too!

Analysts say that the change would not be costly for automakers since it would merely require a change in lens color.

My GTI has red rear signals in NA.    This "saves" VW 
2 bulbs.
2 wires between one of the computers up front and the rear end.
  plus the 4 crimp on connectors on those wires
the tiny but non-zero cost of an amber section let into the all red plastic moulding.
2 crimp on connectors in the  socket in the rear light assembly


This costs VW
the extra SKUs of the rear light assembly parts
the extra skus of a different part of the wiring harness
the paperwork involved in NOT firing the stylist who thought that all red would be better in NA

[inco]

This would actually save car companies money if they all build to the same standard. Amber has always made sense - I'm puzzled why this didn't happen years ago.

[sailor723]

Probably because some US focus group somewhere,sometime voted 5-4 that they "like red" 

[tpl]

Probably because some US focus group somewhere,sometime voted 5-4 that they "like red" 

Probably the same people who caused the decontenting of my car by getting rid of the headlight washers... because they left a mess on the hood.

TTAC had an article on this last week as well. They suggested that Canada has wanted to mandate amber rear indicators for years but has been put off for fear of upsetting the Big 3.
Personally I think we in Canada would be better off if Transport Canada just said that any vehicle that meets EU OR US regulations can be sold here as is with the caveat that if one buys a EU spec car that one might not be able to use it in the states... emphasis on "might".   

[airbalancer]

My 2003 GMC has amber turn Signals
It was probably a designer thing about have red

[quadzilla]

Maybe they could also turn signals on the side of the car (mirror/door) to that list. I find those very helpful and adding a level of safety in many situations.

[sailor723]

Maybe they could also turn signals on the side of the car (mirror/door) to that list. I find those very helpful and adding a level of safety in many situations.

  They really catch your attention.

[Mitlov]

I really like the ones that are on the mirror surface itself of the side mirrors, and show up as a series of arrows pointed left or right when the turn signal is activated (I primarily think of this as something on large domestic trucks and SUVs).  If I'm moving by the vehicle and it's trying to move into my lane, these are more visible than any of the traditional turn signals.

[onearmed]

Next step is getting people to use them.....

[Ice]

Maybe they could also turn signals on the side of the car (mirror/door) to that list. I find those very helpful and adding a level of safety in many situations.

I agree.  I think one of three positions would be acceptable.

1) Halfway up the side of the vehicle just infront of the driver/passenger door (ala 1st gen Mazda3). 
2) On the front of the rear view mirror.
3) Integrated as part of the headlights if the lights are sufficiently swept back.  The 2008 Accord for instance has a headlight that is swept back enough and even has a yellow reflector on the side but its not a light.  Put a light there and that'd be helpful too.

The change to amber seems like a practical idea. I'm surprised it was even allowed the other way at all.  I guess its cost savings...although it makes no sense that something like an Impala has a fully red one while a Yaris or a Fit has a separate yellow one.

[vdk]

Next step is getting people to use them.....

Totally with you guys on this one.

[MKII]

While the NHTSA is using some common sense, how about rear fog light as well.

Anyway, talk about some dumb Overregulations, here are some winners from USA and what Ford had to change/alter to the Ford Transit Connect.

Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy

Even though the Transit Connect is already sold in 55 countries around the world it had to undergo numerous modifications before it could be sold in the American market. And while it's not at all unusual to modifiy imported vehicles up to our standards, it's hard to see how some of these changes will help the health or safety of American citizens.

Some of these changes are so ridiculous and inconsequential that it's actually funny to see what they are. Funny, that is, until you realize all they're doing is driving up the price of the product.

http://bit.ly/18n2Hg

My favorite example has to do with the windshield wipers. No, they did not have to change the wipers. Ford had to change the path the wipers go through as they sweep back-and-forth across the windshield. Ford had to change the arms and the pivot points so that the sweep matched something that American regulators found acceptable.

What a joke, I guess the rain in the USA  does not fall the same way as it is in other parts of the globe.

[Ice]

That is quite insane....wow.

Sounds like there are needs for harmonized automotive standards or at least ones that are a little more flexible.  The direction or path that the windshield wipers sweep requiring a change from Europe to North America is incredibly stupid.

[Trainman]

I understood one of the reasons for having red (or non-amber) rear turn signals was so there would be no confusion as to which end of the vehicle you were looking at at night or in other low visibility conditions.

I personally like amber all around and the idea of side markers too.

[footlong58]

I understood one of the reasons for having red (or non-amber) rear turn signals was so there would be no confusion as to which end of the vehicle you were looking at at night or in other low visibility conditions.

I personally like amber all around and the idea of side markers too.

I guess the headlights wouldn't give it away?!

[mmret]

Applause.

Ideally:
-Amber rear signals
-Mirror mounted turn signals, facing forward
-Mirror mounted LED turn signals, in the mirrored part, facing backwards
-One side of the headlamps dims slightly when that turn signal is on (avoid glare...admittedly not possible with HIDs, but thats what the mirror signals are for)
-Prominent rear side marker (old TL has this I think....)
-People who actually use them