Cars built in the US use red lights for their rear turn signals. This defies current trends towards safety: every other country makes all turn signals yellow, which is much easier to differentiate from brake lights.
In all the world, red is for brakes and yellow is for turn signals (both front and rear). But in the US they are both red at the rear.
What gives?
I can understand that this probably follows a tradition. But with an automotive industry each day more oriented towards safety, this seems to make no sense at all.
Pride?
Stubbornness?
2007-01-30 01:18:28 · 9 answers · asked by mantruc 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
tradition..I had a 1957 chevy truck that had 1 tail light..came from factory that way..NO turn signals... it was legal...
2007-01-30 01:24:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You didn't research this very well before asking your question, did you? Some, not all American made cars have red turn signals, but those are in the minority. Those vehicles that use the same bulb and lens for both brake and turn signals have red, but the majority of vehicles have a separate bulb for the turn signal, and it is amber in color.
Most manufacturers converted to the separate light system about the same time that the third, high mount brake light was added. You have obviously seen a few older American cars and made a sweeping assumption based on that.
2007-01-30 04:01:55 · answer #2 · answered by oklatom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
8 years down the line most manufacturers still use red turn signals. Wonder why! When drive here its difficult to ascertain if the car in the front is braking or changing lanes
2014-11-22 04:16:39 · answer #3 · answered by Kiran 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never actually put 2 and 2 together regarding that subject. If that's actually accurate I'm sure the american car makers will conform sooner or later.
2007-01-30 01:27:23 · answer #4 · answered by rob1963man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know...what you are saying makes a lot of sense. Even the looks of the car is spoilt because of this. I like the looks of the car if it has a yellow light.
Wonderful question...thanks
2007-01-30 01:24:11 · answer #5 · answered by SP 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
American Made cars have featured Yellow turn singals in the past... it's most likely a cost cutting decision... cheaper to have one light rather than two
2007-01-30 01:22:18 · answer #6 · answered by J-Rod on the Radio 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Um...a turn signal indicator is identified because it is the "blinking" light on one side of the car. Not by what color it is.
2007-01-30 01:26:16 · answer #7 · answered by Lord L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a style issue and it's irrelevant anyway! If your so blind that you can't see a blinking light (red, yellow, pink, or whatever) you shouldn't be driving!
2007-01-30 01:36:39 · answer #8 · answered by DialM4Speed 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
not true. my pontiac has yellow turn signals.
2007-01-30 01:23:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋