Legality of Flashing 4th Brake Light (F1 style)

[drewbot]

There is a 4th brake light kit being sold on the forums that puts an LED into the fog reflector. Also, when the brake pedal is pressed, a temporary flashing occurs.

See below:

http://s1099.photobucket.com/user/Ja..._2056.mp4.html

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this and the implications of the Highway Traffic Act in Ontario.

The only thing I could find is about flashing red lights on the front, not rear.

What do you think?

[wbradley]

I think whether it's legal or not it's obnoxious.

[Burrcold]

Originally Posted by wbradley

I think whether it's legal or not it's obnoxious.

Agreed.

[Myv]

+1 lol

Question, has anyone been pulled over for using white LED after installing clear side markers?

[drewbot]

I've seen many motorcycles and this ridculously stanced NSX with these brake lights and wondered if that was even legal.

I've heard of a couple people getting tickets for white LEDs on clear markers, but mostly since their car attracted extra attention for being loud and hellaflush...

[7thgear]

i think as long as you're not using alternating flashing lights or lights of the colour of emergency vehicles (whatever those may be exactly.. i know blue is one, maybe green) then you should be okay.

if you install two of them you can take your car ice racing in Minden..

[Thorpedo]

Care to link said kit?

[drewbot]

Originally Posted by Thorpedo

Care to link said kit?

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24188

[PMPB]

Did someone on here (in a different thread) say something like "If you think it might be illegal, it's illegal. If you don't think it's illegal, it's still illegal. If you're sure it's legal, it's probably still illegal"

I think that applies here. Do something noticeable to the functionality of your car, and you'll probably get pulled over for it.

[f0rge]

Don't some higher end cars have flashing brake lights during panic stopping?

[voyager2285]

Originally Posted by Myv

+1 lol

Question, has anyone been pulled over for using white LED after installing clear side markers?

Probably not what you're looking for, but in BC the side makers can only be amber or white for the front:

http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bcl...eside/26_58_01

Search for "Side-marker lamps"

[tanner]

More cars in Europe have been adopting the flashing red light, maybe it's a requirement there now but definitely not a requirement here.

According to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act (and should be similar possibly with other provinces, and by the way, it's a good to peruse through if you're curious about whether you can do this or that)....

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/sta...8_e.htm#s142s8

Signal for stop (8) The driver or operator of a vehicle upon a highway before stopping or suddenly decreasing the speed of the vehicle, if the operation of any other vehicle may be affected by such stopping or decreasing of speed, shall give a signal plainly visible to the driver or operator of the other vehicle of the intention to stop or decrease speed,
manually
(a) by means of the hand and arm extended downward beyond the left side of the vehicle; or
signalling device
(b) by means of a stop lamp or lamps on the rear of the vehicle which shall emit a red or amber light and which shall be actuated upon application of the service or foot brake and which may or may not be incorporated with one or more rear lamps. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 142 (8).

So note the "stop lamp or lamps".... it's probably okay to use a third (actually a fourth) light, no different than the existing third lamp mounted behind the rear window.

The flashing red light, I'm with others.... probably a annoying to drivers behind you and get some unwanted attention by the cops.

[SkullWorks]

I would tend to agree it is annoying...but hey guess what, you have to notice before it can annoy you, and getting noticed is the point of brake lights.

For years people have been installing modules to make their motorcycle's brake light flash to ensure people see them and don't hit them.

I have never seen any lighting regulations dictating that brake lights cannot flash. In fact I think we will probably start seeing this more and more from the manufacturers.

[onefitz]

Originally Posted by SkullWorks

I would tend to agree it is annoying...but hey guess what, you have to notice before it can annoy you, and getting noticed is the point of brake lights.

For years people have been installing modules to make their motorcycle's brake light flash to ensure people see them and don't hit them.

Exactly. The point is to catch your attention. If it's annoying you, it's got your attention.

Mine is set to quickly flash five times and then go solid the first time I hit the brakes. Hit the brakes again within 45 seconds and it'll just go solid with no flash. Seems to catch people's attention without annoying them to badly.