As a driver in Georgia, you probably want your car to be equipped with as many safety features as you can afford. Newer vehicles, of course, have crash avoidance devices like collision warning and automatic emergency braking, but they could just as easily benefit from a turn signal replacement. To be specific, vehicles can provide greater safety with amber, not red, turn signals.
NHTSA analyzes amber turn signals
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has conducted several studies on amber turn signals. In one study from 2008, NHTSA compared vehicles with red turn signals to those with amber. Researchers concluded that the former were 22% more likely to be hit from behind when drivers change lanes, turn or do something else requiring the turn signals.
This first study did not take into account inherent biases surrounding, for example, the actual separation of the red and amber elements in the taillights, but a second study in 2009 did. Even here, the results were clear: Switching from red to amber or orange turn signals leads to 5.3% fewer rear-end collisions.
Some push for an amber turn signal mandate
NHTSA will not mandate amber turn signals anytime soon, but it’s considering requiring them for vehicles to be eligible for a Five Star Safety Rating. However, cost is keeping many automakers from equipping their vehicles with them.
Legal help for victims of rear-end collisions
Rear-end collisions can lead to serious, even catastrophic, injuries. Perhaps you or someone you know is in a similar situation and thinking about pursuing a personal injury case. Even victims who are partially at fault in a crash may do so, but it may take a lawyer to help them determine their eligibility. That’s why you may want to schedule a case evaluation. If hired, a lawyer could help you through the filing and negotiation process.
