Rear light safety vs. originality

[Cam]

Ok, I know this is *technically* an electrical issue, but the question is more general with regard to the safety vs. originality of rear lamp units.

You remember my daily driver (Gracie the wonder car):



Well, a while ago I thought I'd replace the rear lamp units that she's already sporting:



With these type:



As those are what she rolled out of the factory with and I like being a little 'different' and the flashing brakelight units are certainly that! Besides which I prefer the 'look' of the earlier units.

The only thing is that when I mentioned this before, people were concerned about the safety implications of not having an orange flashing indicator, so my question is aimed at you all, BUT I would especially like to hear from the people who ONLY use the original flashing brakelight system and see if it's presented any real problems on the road.

So the question is: Convert back to original or leave the later units on?

Thanks folks.

[salty_monk]

Even new cars in 2006 can have flashing brake lights as standard where I am in California... Everyone knows Americans are stupid so if they can cope I'm sure the English can...

[Multiphonikks]

...and adding on to that don't forget that many British car drivers don't bother to check their lights every week (I still do)... and you end up with people turning without warning. Besides. BMWs do without!

[moggyminor16]

bmws there an opp extra thay pay out all that dosh but for the indectors ha ha ha ha

[dp]

How about a discreet pair of orange repeater lights? Perhaps the black/grey ones that would be hardly noticeable just under the bumper under the original red lights. Then a bit of wiring to divert the power from one to the other (or both with a relay) and a switch in the cabin.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ ... de=TRIB462

[rayofleamington]

I converted one car back to flashing brake lights and didn't notice any immediate problems, but in reality a pair of discrete amber lights is going to be a little safer in our green and pleasant land where driving licenses are given out to daydreamers.

[minor_hickup]

Could you not convert back, but have the amber flashers as well, maybe under the bumper so they can be removed for shows etc?

[chickenjohn]

Could you not convert back, but have the amber flashers as well, maybe under the bumper so they can be removed for shows etc?

Good idea Hickup! I think the car looks good with later flashers and its not an irreversible mod is it? and one for safety, could make the difference between some idiot writing your lovely car off of not!

Just swap them back for shows.

[Shawn]

I've just done the opposite swap to you Cam, I don't think many drivers today are capable of recognising anything much other than the bleeding obvious.

The later lights look wrong (Imho) but I think they're better than the orange warts that are so often fitted as indicators and much better than a stoved in rear end.

[KirstMin]

I borrowed a mog for a week with only traffigators (however you spell it) and felt decidedly unsafe in London where you need all the help you can get to prevent the vast majority of uninsured idiots smacking into the back of you!

BTW: I was knocked off my bike 6 months ago and the police checked the drivers vehicle. He said to me how supprised he was that the driver and vehical checked out ok because that isn't the norm where i live (tottenham). That's worrying!

[Cam]

Thanks for the opinions folks. Keep 'em coming.

[d_harris]

I'd say, use the original lights but fit some orange repeaters

[SR]

like this?

[woo]

Cam,

I added Orange flashers bolted beneath my rear bumper. My nerves couldn't take pulling out on the M25 and hoping my flashing brakes lights had been seen by overtaking drivers.

You may be made of tougher stuff than me though!

[Cam]

I've just done the opposite swap to you Cam, I don't think many drivers today are capable of recognising anything much other than the bleeding obvious.

True, but did you swap because you had a problem? or was it a purely preventitive measure?

I'm a bit loathe to fit extra orange indicators as I might as well leave things as they are if that's the case. But I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has had an accident/incident because of having 'non orange' flashing indicators.

[moggyminor16]

cam i have had a small hit with a amercan soldier he said that he did not see the flashing red light the copper saud but you have them were you come from he said i know the is the strange think but over than that nuthing and thats running on the m25 ,m20,m2 ,a2 and in france as well

[Cam]

Right. Yeah. Thing is though that surely your positioning in the road and brake light should have given the game away? There's really no excuse for smashing into the back of someone regardless of how many or few lights they have flashing.

[d_harris]

The Majority of British drivers are PROBABALLY intelligent to realise that when a light is flashing it means the driver is indicating (I mean, I've seen numberous cars like pug 205's which have flashing brake lights where they were incorrectly wired) But thats not a risk I would take.

[Shawn]

I've just done the opposite swap to you Cam...

True, but did you swap because you had a problem? or was it a purely preventitive measure?

Purely preventative. My overly negative opinion of 'other' drivers is probably 'cause I drive around all day (in my company repmobile) and see wombats by the truckload.

My ideal situation would be to leave the original semaphores as the only indicators.

I mucked around with aftermarket and other cars' lights for rear indicators, both under and above the bumper, but I couldn't get one I was happy with.

One thing I did see somewhere was an original small type rear lens set modified to have an orange lens in place of the reflector. Looked great, but I don't think it's legal.

[IslipMinor]

I debated for a long time when restoring our '58. So right at the end of the restoration decided that having what is expected, conventional amber flashers, would be the 'most sensible', and fitted the later type all round.

Just to make sure, have fitted halogen stop/tail bulbs!!