High mount stop light flasher

[Bloggsy]

Having several times nearly been run into/over by higher vehicles from behind when I am stopping (usually they are on their mobile phones or just not looking where they are going) I was wondering about the legal ramifications of fitting a flashing module to the high mount stop light. Has any one done this and had any issues?

[Mr Morlock]

It will not be legal and besides if the person behind is not watching then the flashing light will not make any difference. The reason why there are legal requirements for lights is to put a brake on people coming up with silly ideas on what lighting should and should not do.I clearly remember when high mount stop lamps were introduced in Australia - a really good feature and surprising how many cars either have the centre high mount stop light not working or one or both of the lh or rh stops not working. Then there are the people driving cars in good light conditions with fog lamps but that is another story

[hks_kansei]

They're not legal, and don't meet ADRs.

I personally doubt that they'll provide any extra safety/visibility since if someones eyes aren't looking ahead they wont see it.

even if they do see it, it could be interpreted as you just lightly tapping the brakes rather than braking hard, which would make it potentially more likely that they'll run into you.
I've seen a couple on cars in the past, and frankly it doesn't actually look like they're braking, it just looks like the lights are shorting out and flickering.



Basically, you'll be adding potential legal/liability hassles to yourself, without really doing much to reduce the likelihood of an accident.

If you're concerned, look into instead using brighter LED bulbs, or something like that.
Or just start stopping with a bit of a gap in front and be ready to jump forward if you see them coming in hard.

Or just keep the insurance paid up and not worry.

[bruce]

Coupla years ago Silicon Chip magazine made two kits to reduce the delay between pressing the brake and the stop lights engaging.
A flasher (whatever that is) won't save you. It will probably stun/confuse the person following thus guaranteeing a proctology exam.

[Mr Morlock]

rear lighting all had to meets ADRs - and having a bright light is not the purpose. That is to say the light is restricted to a certain level otherwise there would be a competition as to which has the brightest lights which dazzles other drivers. A typical rear combination light was low wattage and the optics do the rest to make the lamp easy to see. In the old days the wattage for a stop tail was only 21/5W. LEDs have been used in hmsl's for every bit of 30 years and the reasons include long life and very fast reaction ( i.e. quicker than filament bulbs.
The led has an interesting history- once used for truck lighting - expensive led lights but long lasting and a big saving for fleet owners who had to change bulbs regularly. Then the price of leds came down and incandescent lights are on the way to obsolescence.

[ianoz]

As above ADR’s would be a prob - but i have used one on my oil pressure idiot light (along with a loud buzzer) Does make it more noticable.

[LiteIsRite]

I’ve been down this path, fitting a flasher module to the high mount stop lamp and then removing it soon after once I gave consideration to the points other forumites have noted above.

I ended up fitting LED bulbs to the high mount and regular stop lamp positions - they do light up fractionally quicker than incandescent bulbs (for what that’s worth).

[Luke]

I'm finding it interesting so many of you are adamant flashers on brake lights are illegal.
There are cars that come from factory with flashing brake lights. Most flash the blinkers, but to stay on topic lets stick with brake lights.
However they only flash during heavy or as they like to market it, emergency braking situations. Not normal braking.

Its then begs the question if you somehow fit a flasher setup on a car that does not come from the factory with it, that was based on a g-loading that did not flash under normal braking, would it be legal?
My guess is who knows as the ADR's as usual will be outdated, convoluted and contradictory to what is happening in the industry.

[hks_kansei]

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2006L02300

60.2.4.4. provide a steady warning light;

https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/-/media ... 827C55E05B

5. When lit, the lamps should display a steady red light
to the rear. Lamps which flash, pulsate or “move”,
or contain any written or graphic message are not
allowed.

Also worth noting that your car needs to meet the ADR rules from the time it was manufactured, not the current ones.

So if the ADRs were updated later on after your car was made, to allow for flashing brake lights in certain situations, then you cant just slap them on and call it done.

That, and even if something meets ADR rules it still needs to go through a process to actually be marked and proven to meet those rules.

[Luke]

Good, you have found data to prove my point.
Cars are out with flashing lights, yet the ADR's say its not allowed.
Unless there are any further updated ones that say otherwise?

[KevGoat]

Weren't there some Merc's or something years ago that had brake lights that got brighter with brake pressure? Apparently following drivers react and brake harder accordingly. Of course, all these things only works if following driver is paying attention to driving rather than their social media "likes".

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[Red_Bullet]

I was chasing some recently built expensive German built cars today on track, when they braked heavily the brake lights flashed in an alternating side to side fashion. I thought it was a great and simple idea.

[hks_kansei]

Good, you have found data to prove my point.
Cars are out with flashing lights, yet the ADR's say its not allowed.
Unless there are any further updated ones that say otherwise?

I'm not an expert on ADRs by any means.

But I do believe that there are avenues for manufacturers to have parts tested/passed that may not necessarily pass the regular ADR rules.

No doubt the costs would be prohibitive for people other than manufacturers.

[Mr Morlock]

The hmsl is a relatively new thing for Australia- the idea was picked up from Europe. Initially there was an idea to accept a brake light which was attached to the glass both sides left and right. It was a bad idea and that never came to fruition insofar as ADRs and OEM were concerned but it was accepted as legal for aftermarket- it did not last long. The concept of the HMSL was then accepted into ADRs and makers pushed on with it. Our local cars were fitted with them - I clearly remember the Ford Capri ( late 80's) with them but it may well have been already fitted to other local made cars. The HMSL does work a treat a really good innovation- simple and proven effective. All a driver from the rear wants to see is a brake light going on max brightness straightaway - that's the purpose - so you see it if you looking at the back of the vehicle you are behind. If you are fiddling with your phone or scalding the dog or billy lids ( we dont do that anymore) i.e. not looking or distracted you may have an accident.
As far as expertise in ADRs are concerned its likely no one is across all of them. Lighting was extremely complicated - if anyone is looking at any aftermarket catalogs issued by the serious makers you will see ADR compliance and may even pick up what ADR nbr was or is. I guess if anyone is buying a high mount / centre mount stop lamp then check to see if its ADR compliant.

[bruce]

I don't think tail-enders are more prevalent in any particular area (I can only imagine CBD stop/start traffic).
You might need to adjust your driving style to be a bit more defensive (anticipating slowing traffic, tapping the brakes occasionally, etc).