Interpretation ID: nht87-3.54

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: DECEMBER 30, 1987

FROM: HERBERT E. STOEL

TO: KEN SIKKEMA -- STATE REPRESENTATIVE

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 4-8-90 TO HERBERT E. STOEL FROM

STEPHEN P. WOOD; (A35; STD. 108). ALSO ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 2-1-90 TO JOHN WOMACK FROM HERBERT E. STOEL; (OCC-4406) TEXT:

SUBJECT Greater safety on our highways is needed. There are too many accidents on our highways today and now with the new 65 M.P.H. speed limit that number could increase, so it is high time that we do something about it. CONFUSION Our present method of Red Taillights and Red Stoplights on our cars is not a good system; for example, our traffic

lights at street intersections do not have two red lights for go and then add one or more to make three red lights for stop. No we have green lights for go, and red lights for stop. But on our cars, taillights and stoplights are all Red. SOLUTION RED should only mean ONE thing, that is STOP.

EXAMPLE When driving down a busy highway (especially at night) and there is a line of cars, all you can see is RED - RED - RED from all the rear lights on cars, and so when an emergency arises and the cars up front apply the brakes and one or two more red brake lights come on there is very little noticeable change for all you see is RED - RED - RED. So there is need for a better system to alert the oncoming drivers of the danger up front. In that way they have more time to brake and avoid collisions, injuries and often death. SOLUTION RED should only mean ONE thing, that is STOP.

SUGGESTION Have the taillights on cars Green and the stoplights, Red - STOP. FINALLY Inasmuch as Michigan is an Auto Industry State, why should we not be the state to introduce a better system to the

car manufacturers of the nation. With the thousands of injuries and deaths each year, why should we wait any longer to make a much needed improvement.