New Video! The Senseless Ambiguity of American Turn Signals

Two observations. First, Alec, you've described a disease that infects the auto design community, called Styling For Styling's Sake. Have a look at the 2018 Corvette, or the slightly more humble 2018 Prius. Note that both appear to be the products of the daydreams of 14-year old boys. The swoops and scoops may help sell the Corvette as it is marketed at speed maniacs ... but on the Prius' side and rear panels, they make zero contribution to functionality. (They probably do increase the income of the body repair shops after an accident, however). Second, your state-of-the-art Chevy Volt uses the rear lamp design that was standard on 1950s and 1960s American cars: A red combo brake/turn bulb on both rear corners, and a third brake light unit, typically placed over the rear license plate. Ah, progress.....

Roger Beal

This "trend" dates back to the 1960s, pioneered by Citroen on their DS sedans. There, the entire headlamp assembly was linked to the steering.

Roger Beal

I have no citation for this, but in some sense the CHMSL came into being (early 1980's IIRC) mainly because the ambiguous brake/turn lights were so awful. I can't really say if that turn of events was good or bad. Another thing to note is that with separate bulbs, the intensity can be aimed to better suit purpose. Brake lights can be more intense directly behind so the following driver has clear visibility, while turn signals can be aimed for wider view so that cars to either side can deal with the anticipated turn or lane change. That isn't possible when the bulbs are shared. (EDIT: i think you touched on some of this in the video. my fault for not paying closer attention)

nobody

Advice that is lost these days: be the better person. Though I occasionally lose it (often in the form of extreme snarkiness) I know it makes my position look stronger if I rationally approach someone with a calm, collected response. If only the whole world could realize this! But yeah, ho boy did I not expect the reaction I got from this video! This has been eye-opening in many ways, mostly about society. I think I didn't want my eyes opened!

Technology Connections

Just want to say that I'm impressed how calm you are in the YouTube Comments. I somehow feel infuriated when people argue that there is no benefit in amber signals. As a German, for me it is obvious that amber signals make sense and just thinking about red signals feels wrong. But what I found more interesting when reading the comments was how they made me feel. I realised how much people defend "their" system when in question, even if the "new" system is arguably better, and that I've been in that situation too. Not sure what I make out of this yet, but thank you.

4d6178

Thank you very much!

Technology Connections

This video was the last straw! I'm now a Patron. I agree with you 100% on your charger infrastructure video, I even emailed my local utility about the same issue a year ago, and these all red taillights have always seemed dangerous to me too. So, after seeing two terrific videos about topics I care about I knew I had to support you. Keep up the great work.

Eric Blom

Nice video Alec - I like it when you have a good rant, and even included translations for us Brits & Aussies.. When I lived in the States I remember thinking how odd the single red tail-light arrangement was (I'm from Scotland). We have models here in the UK which have what *appears* to be a single red assembly but is in fact separate red & amber sections when lit. Good suggestion from 'LeGraf' above on polarised windshields and headlight lenses - I often wondered if that would ever take off. Perhaps you could do an expose of headlight tech in general -incandescent, halogen, HID led etc.. Good work :

Gordo

This was a well-done video, and I love the breadth of topics you've been covering. On the subject of car lights and safety, however, I'd be curious to hear you weigh in on polarized headlights & windshields... a 70-year-old idea now, I think, with some newer refinements, all relatively inexpensive and a huge boost to night-driving safety (in my opinion).

legraf

I'm not unhappy with the mic, only my solutions for getting audio off of it. I want to do some more experimentation with my Tascam DR-05 because it didn't seem to like the Rode SmartLav, but my phone likes it well enough. The trouble is that my phone does auto leveling and clips a lot when I start speaking or if I increase my volume suddenly. I know that Tom Scott uses a Zoom H1 recorder with his Rode SmartLav so I might just go and buy that. I'm not yet sold on my shotgun mic, though I won't yet return it in case it becomes handy one day.

Technology Connections

I'll only answer that it was a political campaign sticker of a failed candidate. I proudly display it on my car but am uncomfortable revealing my political leanings on YouTube (though I'm sure you have a fair idea of what they are from the sort of stuff I make and do :)

Technology Connections

Hmm. I'll have to consider it.

Technology Connections

I wish I had gone into this further, but one of the studies I referenced concluded that part of the benefit was that drivers recognized there were discreet signals when the signals were dark, therefore priming them to react more quickly to a stop signal. I hadn't really considered the issue of colorblind individuals--but this now makes me wonder. It would seem to me that you could see an amber bulb behind a clear lens as distinctly different than a colored lens. Is that so? Because if yes, then I'd think even colorblind motorists would get the same priming benefit assuming clear lenses with amber lamps.

Technology Connections

I had at one point, but forgot! Thanks for the link--it was helpful to a debate

Technology Connections

Another really well-worded and entertaining video. Something that I've noticed here in the UK over the last couple of years, is the trend for cornering lights; - when a car makes a turn (or just steers slightly, it seems), one of two low-mounted, side-lamps lights up, to show which side the car is moving toward. This may sound useful, and functional, you might argue, but: we have indicators for turning already, and this new directional, quasi-signal, even switches off the headlight on that side, on some cars (don't remember which models) momentarily, so you have the bizarre situation wherein only one headlamp is active while turning, while another, below, takes over. I can only see this as being the result of a design choice, that's taken over from a safety idea (albeit a confusing one), transcending into pure, 'ooh my car does that too now', fashion.

I agree! Also, the different taillights adds complexity for wiring trailer taillights which are usually only the combo ones without separate amber.

R Brooks

I'm surprised at this stage that they don't use multi-colour lights like what some cars do with the front driving lights. For example, many current cars with daylight driving lights will turn one light to a flashing amber light when turning and then back to solid white when not indicating. This idea for the rear brake/indicator light would be better than just red for the car makers that insist on minimal lights. E.g. if the car is indicating, flash the light amber. If the car starts braking, light it red the instant the brake is pushed, then continue flashing red until the brake pedal is released, after which it resumes flashing amber.

Seán Byrne

Is it your lapel mic you're unhappy with? I've had great results using the Aputure A.lav Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphone; you can hear what it sounds like here: <a href="https://youtu.be/YLMd7CQxx2s" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/YLMd7CQxx2s</a>

Jim Leonard

20. WHY?!?

I'm now extremely curious what bumper sticker is being covered up on the Volt. Maybe you can do a patron's only reveal.

I think you might need some more patrons to get a pressure washer for that poor van :) Great video.

If you want an easy way to spot a car from the 1990's or older, look for any amber colored lenses on the front - I took a Lexus LS400 from the 1990's and replaced the amber turn signal lenses with clear lenses and a yellow bulb, and suddenly people thought the car was like a 2013 model :-o

Bill Basch

Intriguing idea about using GPS data for auto headlights, but since it doesn't take other environmental factors into account, the ambient light sensor should still be left in the mix. For example, GPS, time of day, and a lookup table alone would not activate headlights when the car enters a tunnel, a parking garage, or when it's just really cloudy.

toasterking

This was a really awesome video that hits on lots of things that annoy me too. And your subtle license plate and identifying sticker blocking work was really well done too.

r/iamverysmart

I have a reason TO use combo brake/turn (not that I condone it). Red doesn't affect night-vision for the most part. Amber is a green-red mix thus I deduce that it would negatively affect night-vision, even if ever so slightly. I agree with auto headlights but they definitely need some improvement. I have seen vehicles with auto not cut on until near pitch black thus urban driving may not trigger the light sensor. I would suggest pull GPS data (which is in most cars now) and retrieve time, date and coordinates, sprinkle a little math and voila! sunrise and sunset, apply the 30 before and 30 after, nice and safe. I'll get off my soapbox too.

Christopher Bassett

In related tail light hate - I **hate** vehicles with white tail lights and red bulbs. When the lights are off, it's hard to tell if a car is coming towards you. I've honestly thought a car was going the wrong way on the highway before.

Jesse G. Donat

Have you seen what this Buick does? <a href="https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/buick-cascada-has-two-sets-taillights-275667" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.autotrader.com/car-news/buick-cascada-has-two-sets-taillights-275667</a>

Jason McMillon

YES, this has always bugged me SO MUCH! I've curtailed my verbal exhibitions on the matter, however, since noticing the disturbing proportion of people who both don't care and have never noticed, which further fuels my infuriation. Anyway, I'm glad to have another proponent of the change. This was a great presentation. I enjoyed the brief comedic moments you inserted also, especially the artist's rendering of invisible dash instruments.

toasterking

Really very good, Alec. Being a Brit, I never realised any of that. That's nuts. BTW, further to Bill's comment, I'm a Mensa member too and he's right, you should take the test. Seriously.

Stephen Bell

The audio seemed adequate to me, though I'm no audiophile. I have to say, too, that this is one of your best videos in my opinion. This wasn't an issue I was even aware of before now, but your video has made me passionate about it.

Kevin Kostka

As a colorblind motorist, I’ve always had to rely on that third brake indicator. Although I can barely tell the difference between the “red” and “amber” lights, I can’t make that determination quickly enough. As a result of that and the fact that older cars don’t have the third brake light, I often react as if someone is braking as soon as I see any rear light illuminating.

Joe King

Yet another video that demonstrates your IQ is 160+ - there is a reason that most people never stop and even consider potential taillight/turn signal ambiguity, because most have average IQ or lower. You should consider joining Mensa or other high IQ societies, if for no other reason than to locate other interesting intellectual folks (great for finding a potential partner with a brain!) <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jWan6Db.jpg" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://i.imgur.com/jWan6Db.jpg</a>

Bill Basch

I've followed drivers before who are gently pulsing their brakes while preparing to turn. Which way are they turning???

Michael Steeves