Interpretation ID: nht93-1.37

DATE: February 17, 1993

FROM: James L. Vasko

TO: John Womack -- Acting Chief Counsel, U.S. Department of Transportation, NHTSA

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 3-23-93 from John Womack to James L. Vasko (A40; Std. 108); Also attached to letter dated 11-1-89 from Stephen P. Wood to John K. Moody

TEXT: Thank you for responding so quickly to my letter regarding my "Front Brake Light System". I will try to answer your questions as complete as possible. Please note any other questions or comments you may have as you continue through this letter and I will be happy to answer them in our next correspondence.

The answers to your questions are as follows. Your assumption is correct that my Front Brake Light System has no effect on the hazard warning system. The Front and Back hazard lights will remain the same as they are now.

The way the Front Brake Light System is accomplished without the necessity and expense of adding new complicated apparatus is by installing two wires and four clips. The wires would connect the master cylinder brake light switch to the front turn signals to act in unison with the back turn signals so they will act as brake lights as well as turn signals. The brake light switch and the turn signals switch are located under the dash on all vehicles. There would be no cost to manufacturers when new cars are built. Retrofiting existing vehicles would be a simple and in expensive matter and little cost to the consumer. Retrofiting could be done by any auto mechanic or smog station in less than 30 minutes. This Front Brake Light System will save more lives and prevent more accidents than the existing rear Brake Lights do today.

This Front Brake Light System will definitely enhance safety. The following are everyday scenarios:

1) Making a left turn in front of on-coming traffic will be much safer because you will be able to identify then on-coming vehicles will be in braking mode.

2) Pulling out into traffic will be safer as you can tell when a vehicle is slowing down, yielding for you.

3) Pulling out into an intersection with a green light, you could look left and right and make sure all vehicles have there front brake lights on showing that they are stopping.

4) Driver of a vehicle can glance into rear view mirror to see if vehicles are braking.

5) Pedestrians could be sure that vehicles are braking before stepping out into traffic, guessing should not be part of surviving.

6) I have operated emergency vehicles for the last 23 years as a Fremont Firefighter, all emergency vehicles are at grave risk with each and every call

they go out on. As the emergency vehicles approach intersections they have to look and guess if the vehicles are braking for there is no front brake indicators on vehicles forcing emergency vehicles to come to a complete stop at all intersections. Every city in the nation can show fatality accidents occur because we do not have front-end information.

7) Vehicles often have there turn signals on and fail to turn which causes many many accidents, as people think they are going to turn and pull out in front of a vehicle and they get hit. With the brake light system there, the Driver pulling out into traffic, would see the turn signal and the brake light showing that the vehicle was braking and turning.

8 ) The car in the lane next to you pulls ahead of you and signals to pull into your lane, you touch your brake peddle which signals to car in front of you that you are yielding for him to pull into your lane in front of you.

All drivers would learn quickly to key in on front brake lights making all phases of driving much safer and predictable. These scenarios go on and on, no one should ever have to say "I thought they were slowing down" or "I thought they saw me". Most accidents that occur are from lack of front-end information.

I'd be most interested to receive your interpretation of the relationship of my invention to the statutes and regulations that your agency administers. My FAX# is 1-510-792-6627, if wish to FAX a letter please feel free to do so.

It is for the benefit of all Americans that this new system be tested and placed in service as soon as possible because many lives are being lost or demaged daily because of lack of vehicle front-end information.

(Drawing omitted.)