Many drivers in Texas own vehicles with safety features like collision warning and automatic emergency braking. However, they should know about one small upgrade that could improve their safety even more. The upgrade is from red turn signals to amber, or orange, turn signals. Researchers have known the benefits of amber turn signals for decades now. Consider, for example, what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found out.
Fewer rear-end collisions with amber turn signals
In a study conducted back in 2008, NHTSA found that cars with red turn signals were 22% more likely than cars with amber turn signals to be hit in the rear when changing lanes, backing out of a parking space or turning. A second study in 2009 eliminated the biases inherent in the first. Still, NHTSA concluded in that study that switching to amber turn signals without a midcycle update makes rear-end collisions 5.3% less likely.
More effective than a third brake light
Amber turn signals do more than a third brake light, which lowers the rate of rear-end collisions by 4.3%. Yet while NHTSA mandated third brake lights in 1986, it currently has no intention of doing the same for amber turn signals. At the very least, though, NHTSA may require cars to have amber turn signals to qualify for a Five Star Safety Rating.
Legal help for victims of rear-end collisions
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash through little fault of your own, you could be eligible for compensation. However, recovering damages means filing a claim against the responsible party. If you believe you have the grounds to do this, you may want a lawyer to evaluate the case. You may hire the lawyer for assistance with each step of the filing process.
