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As a limey I've never been able to figure out why the US likes red turn signals on the rear Perhaps it means less complexity (depends if the bulb is coloured o

As a limey I've never been able to figure out why the US likes red turn signals on the rear Perhaps it means less complexity (depends if the bulb is coloured or the assembly), although that seems to be cancelled out by the lack of differentiation between braking and turning They also don't really bother with fog lights

happytiger 3y ago
From Wikipedia Until the early 1960s, most front turn signals worldwide emitted white light and most rear turn signals emitted red. Amber front turn signals were voluntarily adopted by the auto industry in the USA for most vehicles beginning in the 1963 model year,[40][41] though the advent of amber signals was accompanied by legal stumbles in some states[42] and front turn signals were still legally permitted to emit white light until FMVSS 108 took effect for the 1968 model year, whereupon amber became the only permissible front turn signal colour. Presently, almost all countries outside North America require that all front, side and rear turn signals produce amber light. In North America the rear signals may be amber or red. American regulators and other proponents of red rear turn signals have historically asserted there is no proven safety benefit to amber signals, though it has been recognized since the 1960s that amber turn signals are more quickly spotted than red ones.[43][44][45] International proponents of amber rear signals say they are more easily discernible as turn signals,[46] and U.S. studies in the early 1990s demonstrated improvements in the speed and accuracy of following drivers' reaction to stop lamps when the turn signals were amber rather than red.[46][47][48][49][50] A 2008 U.S. study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests vehicles with amber rear signals rather than red ones are up to 28% less likely to be involved in certain kinds of collisions,[51] and a 2009 NHTSA study determined there is a significant overall safety benefit to amber rather than red rear turn signals.[52] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting#Turn_signal_colour http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting#Turn_signal... I was taught that it’s really about saving money by having fewer parts though. One color light means rear lights can double up as signals AND brake lights. But the whole debate about it is fascinating and a great little history lesson.
- jinushaun 3y ago
  I wouldn’t be shocked if it was totally about US carmakers being cheap. Amber turn signals are safer.
  - happytiger 3y ago
    I’d put money on that. Ironically.
jinushaun 3y ago
I hate red turn signals because I often confuse it with brake lights if I can only see half a vehicle. This leads to premature and sudden braking for cars that follow. I think it should be required that turn signals be amber. I only see it on American cars. I kid you not, I complain about this everyday in the US while driving.

happytiger 3y ago

From Wikipedia Until the early 1960s, most front turn signals worldwide emitted white light and most rear turn signals emitted red. Amber front turn signals were voluntarily adopted by the auto industry in the USA for most vehicles beginning in the 1963 model year,[40][41] though the advent of amber signals was accompanied by legal stumbles in some states[42] and front turn signals were still legally permitted to emit white light until FMVSS 108 took effect for the 1968 model year, whereupon amber became the only permissible front turn signal colour. Presently, almost all countries outside North America require that all front, side and rear turn signals produce amber light. In North America the rear signals may be amber or red. American regulators and other proponents of red rear turn signals have historically asserted there is no proven safety benefit to amber signals, though it has been recognized since the 1960s that amber turn signals are more quickly spotted than red ones.[43][44][45] International proponents of amber rear signals say they are more easily discernible as turn signals,[46] and U.S. studies in the early 1990s demonstrated improvements in the speed and accuracy of following drivers' reaction to stop lamps when the turn signals were amber rather than red.[46][47][48][49][50] A 2008 U.S. study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests vehicles with amber rear signals rather than red ones are up to 28% less likely to be involved in certain kinds of collisions,[51] and a 2009 NHTSA study determined there is a significant overall safety benefit to amber rather than red rear turn signals.[52] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting#Turn_signal_colour http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automotive_lighting#Turn_signal... I was taught that it’s really about saving money by having fewer parts though. One color light means rear lights can double up as signals AND brake lights. But the whole debate about it is fascinating and a great little history lesson.

jinushaun 3y ago
I wouldn’t be shocked if it was totally about US carmakers being cheap. Amber turn signals are safer.
- happytiger 3y ago
  I’d put money on that. Ironically.

jinushaun 3y ago

I hate red turn signals because I often confuse it with brake lights if I can only see half a vehicle. This leads to premature and sudden braking for cars that follow. I think it should be required that turn signals be amber. I only see it on American cars. I kid you not, I complain about this everyday in the US while driving.