Interpretation ID: nht88-2.66

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 07/11/88

FROM: ERIKA Z. JONES -- NHTSA CHIEF COUNSEL

TO: WILLIAM J. STEPHENSON -- PRESIDENT, PRO-FLITE OF VERO, INC.

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: 5/6/88 letter from William J. Stephenson to Erika Jones ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 06/19/89 FROM STEPHEN P. WOOD -- NHTSA TO ROD WILLAREDT; REDBOOK A33 [B] [2]; STANDARD 108; LETTER DATED 05/17/89 FROM ROD WILLAREDT TO TAYLOR VINSON -- NHTSA; LET TER DATED 04/18/88 FROM ERIKA Z. JONES -- NHTSA TO WAYNE APPLE; STANDARD 108; LETTER DATED 02/19/88 FROM ERIKA Z. JONES -- NHTSA TO CHARLES WILSON -- CONGRESS; STANDARD 108

TEXT: Dear Mr. Stephenson:

This is in reply to your letter of May 6, 1988, with respect to a new safety device designed to reduce turning accidents on large vehicles, known as "Pro-Lite".

As shown in photographs you enclosed, and as described in your letter, Pro-Lite is a device of red plastic, with arrow-shaped ends to the right and left, "internally lit with a series of clearance lights designed to flash in sequence with either turn sig nal", and connected to each turn signal by a single lead. It is unclear whether the whole device is illuminated when the turn signal is activated with a pulse indicating the direction of turn, but that appears to be the most logical method of operation. The device bears in its center the words "Wide Turn Stay Back", from the photographs it appears that the words remain dark when the red background is illuminated but that is not clear from your letter either, though it also appears the most logical meth od of operation. Although the device may be mounted at any height on the rear you believe the best location is on the rear center, for maximum visibility. You have asked for my thoughts and suggestions.

I enclose a copy of a recent letter of this Office concerning a similar device, one intended to indicate wide right turns. The views I have expressed would apply to your device as well, and I hope they are of assistance to you. If you intend to write t he American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the new address of that organization is 4600 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22203.

Sincerely,

ENCLOSURE