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What Color Should Rear Turn Signals Be?
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English
Abstract
Once optional, flashing turn signals have become standard equipment on motor vehicles around the world. However, distinctness of rear turn signals is often lost when combined in the same compartments with stop lamps of the same size, intensity, color and location. In the U.S., a proposed solution is physically separating the function, while other countries effect separation by color. The SAE is investigating more realistic red/yellow lamp outputs that would permit use of universal lamps, while in Germany, manufacturers have surveyed many experienced American and Canadian drivers to determine preference for the color of these lamps.
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Citation
Hitzemeyer, E., Wilde, H., and Ellenberger, D., "What Color Should Rear Turn Signals Be?," SAE Technical Paper 770812, 1977, https://doi.org/10.4271/770812.Also In
References
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- FMVSS 108, 37FR22801
- FMVSS 108, 34FR14691
- 37FR22801
- FMVSS now issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- FMVSS 108, 35FR106
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- Now the (American) Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Ass'n (MVMA), formerly the Automobile Manufacturers Ass'n
- The motor vehicle group of ISO
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- The signatory countries included the U.S. and Canada
- Draft standard SAE J588f omits this alternative
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- Stop/turn/tail lamps were not illuminated on both sides, so these results do not reflect any possible stop/turn signal confusion