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Rear Turn Signal/Indicator Color

20 messages,  Last post on Mar 01, 2009 at 8:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety


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#3 of 20
Re: Rear Turn Signal/Indicator Color [bumpy] by andys120
Jun 20, 2007 (5:33 am)
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Replying to: bumpy (Jun 20, 2007 5:27 am)

Amber front signals were required in the US beginning in 1963.
 
It couldn't have been that early, I owned a '66 TR-4A that had white turn indicators. My Brother's '68 TR-250 had the amber ones.
#4 of 20
it's silly I know by nippononly
Jun 20, 2007 (6:02 am)
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but I won't buy a car with red rear turn signals. I think it is a little bit less safe, because it is harder for people behind you to tell what you are doing, especially when you are trying to make lane changes on the freeway and they are in one of the adjoining lanes.
 
So, it's only amber turn signals for me, a decision which often makes it hard for me to find a Honda I like. Both Honda and Acura do a lot of red rear turn signals. My RSX was an '04, and in '05 they went to red signal lights. Ditto the Accord from '04 to '05. By contrast Toyota and Sube use mostly amber, with a few exceptions.
#5 of 20
I've noticed... by andre1969
Jun 20, 2007 (6:21 am)
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that location, shape, and visibility of the rear turn signal is much more critical than color. Plus, often for me at least, amber turn signals just don't get my attention as quickly as red does. Especially during certain times of the day, when sunlight might wash them out.
#6 of 20
Cadillac's by 1racefan
Jun 20, 2007 (6:40 am)
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red, LED turn signals are pretty easy to see.
#7 of 20
Re: Rear Turn Signal/Indicator Color [andys120] by bumpy
Jun 20, 2007 (6:50 am)
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Replying to: andys120 (Jun 20, 2007 5:33 am)

Yes, it was that early. Either amber lenses with clear bulbs, or clear lenses with amber bulbs after 1962.
#8 of 20
Re: I've noticed... [andre1969] by mikevegas06
Jun 21, 2007 (2:30 am)
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Replying to: andre1969 (Jun 20, 2007 6:21 am)

Interesting. For me, it's the red the washes out because it blends in with the rest of the taillight lens. Even the red LEDs aren't as noticeable as the amber ones, with the exception being the Cadillacs (as noted by 1racefan). Those things are huge!!
 
"but I won't buy a car with red rear turn signals" (nipponly) --- I feel the same way. I really try and stay away from buying the red ones but Honda and Audi aren't making it easy.
 
Lastly, I've noticed that when the Domestics use the red signals, they often integrate them into the brake light. I think that is poor execution. At least have it as a dedicated unit -- one for the brakes, one for the turn signals. Prime example is the Corvette.
#9 of 20
i've always had cars with amber turn signals by nwng
Jun 22, 2007 (11:05 am)
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here's why: I was driving in 40-50 mph traffic, it was nascar style, raining and at night. People do brake quite frequently due to above mention conditions. I saw a car with red turn signals changing lanes and got slammed in the back, as if the other driver did not see him. It daunted on me that under those conditions I would not be able to tell whether he was braking or trying to signal. Afterall, when you drive, you cannot take your eyes and mind off to figure out whether that flashing red is brake or turn signal.
 
I was a believer of amber turn signals since then.
#10 of 20
Re: Rear Turn Signal/Indicator Color [bumpy] by 210delray
Jun 22, 2007 (5:38 pm)
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Replying to: bumpy (Jun 20, 2007 6:50 am)

I don't think amber front turn signals were required by the feds in the 1963 model year, because this was before federal regulations were implemented. It probably was a Detroit 3 and/or SAE voluntary standard, and all the domestics (which had about 90% of the US market at the time) complied. This would explain why the odd Triumph might not have had amber front signals back then.
#11 of 20
Re: i've always had cars with amber turn signals [nwng] by 210delray
Jun 22, 2007 (5:41 pm)
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Replying to: nwng (Jun 22, 2007 11:05 am)

While I personally believe that rear amber turn signals are superior to red ones, I don't think there are any definitive studies to support this.
 
All of my vehicles have had amber rear turn signals, except my former '77 Impala and '90 Sable.
#12 of 20
Thinking about this... by john_324
Jun 25, 2007 (1:44 pm)
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...now that multicolored lights are technologically possible, will we eventually see a change in taillight colors, maybe in the following format:
 
Green: lights on, car in motion
Red: brakes applied
Yellow: turn signal on
 
Will we ever see green (or perhaps yellow) taillights? Seems it could be a good way to further distinguish between the lights on (red) and brakes activated (brighter red) that we have now, and further reduce accidents...

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