When on the road, it is important to be safe. A driver can do their part by remaining alert, practicing defensive driving and keeping the vehicle in good condition. There are also a few things that a driver may not be aware of but are important. For example, the color of a vehicle’s turn signals may be the difference between getting rear-ended while on the road or not.
Data from a 2008 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that vehicles with amber indicators were less likely to get hit when executing a turn signal-related maneuver. Those with red lights were 22% more likely to be hit from behind.
To do away with any potential confounding factors in the data, the NHTSA conducted the same study with crash data from cars whose lights had changed color. The color either went from red to amber or vice versa. No other changes were made to the vehicle. Cars that switched from red to amber saw a 5.3% reduction in rear-end collisions. Advocates of amber turn signals believe that the cost to make the switch is minimal. The NHTSA has not made amber lights mandatory, but the organization may require amber lights for a vehicle to earn a five-star safety rating.
Before purchasing a vehicle, an individual should be aware of the latest safety technology available as well as what the data says about the car of interest. A driver can drive alert and be aware of their surroundings, but others on the road might be negligent and cause an accident. Those who are in a motor vehicle accident because of another driver’s actions or faulty vehicle equipment or lights may want to speak with a legal professional. A lawyer may be able to help injured accident victims understand their options for pursuing compensation.
