After expanding Voevodsky’s experiment, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) came to the conclusion that “center high mounted stop lamps,” as the government refers to them, lessen accidents and injuries. As a result, the NHTSA started mandating third brake lights on all new vehicles in 1986. In 1994, the organization expanded that mandate to include all brand-new light trucks.
When the NHTSA plotted police-reported crash data from eight states, they discovered that the third brake lights reduced rear impacts by 4.3%. This indicates that since the lights became standard equipment, there have been roughly 200,000 fewer crashes, 60,000 fewer injuries, and more than $600 million in property damage saved every year—not to mention lives saved—despite being less striking than the original findings.
Recent studies have focused on the possibility that modern light-emitting diode (LED) brake lights may be superior to older incandescent bulbs at reducing the risk of rear-end crashes. According to preliminary statistics, LED lights could lessen collisions.
In This Article...
What is the name of the third brake light?
The Center High Mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL) is the official name for the third brake light since the government is too serious to call it something cool like the Cyclops Light. In 1986, new automobiles had to have lighting equipment, and light trucks had to have it by 1994.
Why doesn’t my third brake light function?
A blown brake light fuse could be the cause if all three of your brake lights stopped functioning. The third brake light doesn’t need to be changed in that situation. You must check the fuse to see if that is the problem. How to do it:
- Look for the fuse box.
- Where it is should be stated in the owner’s manual.
- Locate the brake lights’ fuse.
- If you’re unsure of which fuse to use, see the owner’s manual.
- Take out the fuse.
- Examine the fuse in a well-lit area. The fuse blows if the fuse wire is damaged or if the inside of the fuse is dirty.
Do all three brake lights need to function?
If a passenger car’s third brake light stops working, is it a violation? What about a car that has one or more brake lights that pulse or flash?
According to state law, a vehicle equipped with stop lights or signal lamps must always be kept in excellent functioning order. Therefore, each brake light, including the third, would need to be functional when engaged.
Except for authorized emergency vehicles, school buses, bicycles, road maintenance equipment, tow trucks or other towing vehicles, service vehicles, farm tractors, self-propelled farm equipment, rural mail carrier vehicles, funeral home vehicles, and vehicles used to signal a right or left turn, flashing lights are not allowed.
Walk around your car often to check the high beams, turn signals, and license plate lights. For the sake of your safety and the safety of other drivers, replace any broken lights as soon as you can. Keep in mind that shattered tail lenses must be changed in order to prevent the white light from shining through.
Traffic stops are made by police officers for a variety of equipment offences. The ones I observe most frequently are:
- No taillights or headlights.
- lens cracks in the tail.
- No lights on the rear license plate.
- windshield with cracks.
- Violations of window tint.
- items hanging from the rearview mirror.
- Using no seatbelts.
- infractions of bumper height.
- unprotected loads
All of our traffic stops are recorded in our computer system, so troopers on current traffic stops can view all MSP past contacts. For instance, if a vehicle was stopped for a window tint violation and that vehicle is stopped again, that trooper can see if a citation or warning was issued and when it occurred. This helps us decide if a citation or warning will be issued due to prior contacts with the driver.
If you just strap up, drive at reasonable speeds, pay attention, and always drive sober, you can prevent both a ticket and a collision.
What is the price of a third brake light replacement?
For only the parts, aftermarket third brake light bulbs may cost between $50 and $250. Pricing is influenced by a number of variables, including brand, warranty, color or finish, light source, and set inclusions. Depending on local prices, labor could run you an extra $25 to $75.
Is it prohibited to drive without a brake light?
Driving with a broken brake light is it against the law? Brake lights are essential for signaling to drivers behind you when you are slowing down or stopping. You are required to have both working brake lights.
If the brake switch is damaged, will the third brake light function?
The brake-light switch may be ruled out if the lower lights don’t turn on and only the third brake light functions. Test the emergency flashers once more to look for wiring, socket, and lamp issues. Because some vehicles employ distinct circuits for the lower and third brake lights, if the flashers function, look for blown fuses.
A faulty turn-signal switch may prevent the lower brake lights from functioning on vehicles that use the same lights for both brakes and turn signals. The third-light should still work even if the turn-signal switch is malfunctioning. The turn signals and brakes on this type of system share the same circuit. The brake light signal is cancelled on the side selected when we activate the turn signal switch. The lights would continue to be on and not flash if it didn’t. The brake light circuit may be improperly interrupted by a malfunctioning turn-signal switch. The lower brake lights might not function as a result of a broken wire going to or coming from the switch. When turning, the third brake light does not flash. This is why a malfunctioning turn signal switch won’t have an impact.
AutoZone is able to examine brake lights.
Unfortunately, reading your car’s codes is the only way to determine whether the ABS is the cause of the issue. As part of our Fix Finder service, AutoZone can scan your codes, or if you already have a scan tool, you can do it yourself.
Can you be stopped for a broken brake light?
Don’t be shocked if you are pulled over if your taillight is damaged. A broken taillight is one of the safety offenses that police are constantly looking out for. It makes it more difficult for people to see you, and if the second one burns out as well, it will be quite difficult for approaching drivers to see you at night from the back. However, you won’t necessarily receive a penalty just because you’re stopped for a faulty taillight. Although it is technically against the law to drive with a broken taillight, most police officers would likely only issue you a warning and instruct you to have it replaced as soon as possible. However, some police officers do issue citations for damaged taillights.
Driving with only two brake lights is it against the law?
These may seem simple, but they are crucial for alerting drivers who are behind you as you brake. You are required to have two operational brake lights. The fact that they are mounted on the back of your car, though, means that it’s not uncommon for you to go a few days without realizing that one of your bulbs is dead.
Make sure to install a replacement bulb as soon as you realize one of your brake lights is broken. If you are stopped by the police, you can get
- a polite warning
- In the worst situation, they might tow your automobile away!
- You have 10 days to rectify it after receiving a roadside prohibition notice.
- a $60 fine and three license points
It’s a good idea to check your brake lights once a week, not only to avoid being caught off guard but also because if they aren’t working, it won’t be clear to oncoming traffic that you are stopping. This could help prevent an accident.
Is the third brake light necessary for a MOT pass?
Your car’s third brake light, which is located in the center but is not required by law, must function. The fundamental tenet is that everything must work if it is present. Look for bulges and fissures in the sidewalls as these are not only MOT violations but also very unsafe at any speed.
Are brake lights replaced by AutoZone?
AutoZone will they replace brake lights? Although AutoZone doesn’t really provide brake light replacement services, our staff can answer any inquiries you may have, direct you to the necessary supplies to get started, and even lend a hand if necessary.
Are brake lights fixed by mechanics?
Numerous distinct flaws may be to blame for your brake lights not working. Brake light issues can have a variety of causes, from one light operating well while the other is burned out to both lights not working. A mechanic can easily and expertly change the bulb and handle any other problems. Our skilled vehicle mechanics at Peninsula Auto Clinic will examine your brake lights and, if necessary, repair or replace them.
When the brake lights are not functioning, either one light or all of them may be at fault. Sometimes the lights won’t go out, and other times pressing the stop pedal causes the turn signal to switch on. The first thing to do is take the car to a mechanic so they can swiftly identify the problem. Depending on the make and model of your car and whether additional parts are affected, the average cost of brake light repairs or replacements is between $50 and 650.
What is the time required to replace a brake light?
Be Prepared Fortunately, changing a tail light bulb isn’t hard and shouldn’t take you more than 45 to an hour. Be careful that newer models could be a little trickier to disassemble than older ones because there will be more wires.