NHTSA Wants to Know: Are Amber Rear Turn Signals Safer Than Red?

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued the results of a study which indicates that amber rear turn signals may be 5.3% more effective than red rear turn signals at preventing rear-end collisions in which the driver used a turn signal. The results are considered statistically significant and consistent with other experiments and analyses.

The issue is consequential since NHTSA could recommend that the lighting standard, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, be modified to mandate the use of amber lights. Under the current rule, rear turn signals may be either red or amber. NHTSA is seeking public comments on the study results, due by September 6. View the technical report. For additional information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stuartg@sema.org.