Interpretation ID: nht94-1.77

TYPE: Interpretation-NHTSA

DATE: March 10, 1994

FROM: Norman Duncan -- President, Study-Tech, Inc.

TO: Rodney Slater -- Administrator, FHA Transportation Department

TITLE: None

ATTACHMT: Attached to letter dated 5/18/94 from John Womack to Norman Duncan (A42; VSA 108(a)(2)(A); Std. 108) and letter dated 10/22/93 from John Womack to Thomas G. Cehelnik

TEXT:

The purpose of this letter is to request from your office AN INTERPRETATION OF THE EXISTING VEHICLE CODE as it may apply to a safety-warning system that our corporation has devised.

The system:

- Is designed to operate at the rear of vehicles to warn the cars following that they are slowing down.

- Can be attached to either the existing brake lights of the vehicle, or could use separately mounted "warning lights" mounted at the rear- deck level and facing toward the back of the vehicle.

- Will automatically be activated the moment the vehicle "begins to slow-down" due to deceleration.

There are many benefits to be derived from the use of this device.

For example:

- There are critical time intervals between when a driver notes an emergency ahead and when the driver reacts. Precious seconds are lost before the driver's reflex action activates the brake lights.

(Note: Using the "Early-Warning Slow-Down Safety Light", the driver following would see the warning light at the precise moment that the vehicle begins to slow.)

According to statistics gathered from several state's traffic and crash facts books, (Eg. "Illinois Crash Facts and Statistics - 1992), about 25% of all collisions involving two vehicles are rear-end type accidents. This is an alarming fact! This type o f accident is in the category of "Could-be-Avoided" if drivers were more alert, or a warning signal was given at the moment of deceleration of the vehicle in front.

That degree of being "alert" in normal traffic is the foundation for our "Early-Warning Slow-Down Safety Light". We envision this device to be the latest in an emerging field of new safety devices. The newest safety devices include: the air bags, the rear-deck additional "stop light", improved head lamps and Anti-locking Brake Systems. Soon, we understand, General Motors will install running lights for their cars that will be "on" whenever the ignition is turned on. All of these

recently developed safety features are designed to bring about higher standards for safety for our nation's highways. Our device, we feel, is another important extension of this concern to make our U.S. vehicles as safe as possible.

We need your assistance and look forward to your answers to the following questions:

A. Can current vehicle codes be interpreted to allow for an automatic signal when a vehicle begins to slow-down?

B. If vehicle codes do not allow for this type of device, would you or some member of your staff be willing to assist us in an effort to develop plans to allow this type of device?

C. Would you or members of your staff be interested in attending a demonstration of the prototype of the safety device? (To be arranged.)

It is our goal to apply for a patent for this device because it represents important "new" technology in this particular field.

An early response from your office would be appreciated very much. We look forward to hearing from you.