Can you drive without a third brake light?
Federal law mandates that all vehicles have the third brake light outfitted within the car. Additionally, the third light must be comparable to the other brake lights on the vehicle so that it is not distracting to the drivers behind the vehicle.
Do you need your third brake light?
There are two laws in the CA vehicle code (24011 and 24012) which require compliance to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. 108 requires all vehicles built after 1993 to have a 3rd brake light. As mentioned, all cars 86 and up require a third brake light.
Can you get pulled over if your 3rd brake light is out?
Several times a year, we see law enforcement officers pull over a vehicle and the only justification given is that the middle brake light is out. However, not all vehicles have a middle brake light and it is not necessary under the law. Even if you have one, it does not need to be functional.
Do all cars have a 3rd brake light?
In North America, since 1986, all vehicles feature a third brake light. Positioned higher than the corner stop lamps, the third brake light is more visible to other drivers. The center brake light is usually located on the centerline of the vehicle, but may be offset if the vehicle features split rear doors.
What is the law on cars with the third brake light?
Federal law mandates that all vehicles have the third brake light outfitted within the car. Additionally, the third light must be comparable to the other brake lights on the vehicle so that it is not distracting to the drivers behind the vehicle.
What’s the history of the third brake light?
The third brake light can trace its history back to the mid-1970s, when a psychologist named John Voevodsky conducted a study on taxi cabs in San Francisco. Voevodsky was interested in whether having a third brake light would prevent rear in collisions. According to his findings, the third brake light significantly improved the safety of drivers.
What is third brake light assembly?
The third brake light, as it is commonly called, is a brake light that sits high above a vehicle’s taillights. Designed to sit in the line of sight of drivers following a vehicle, the high brake light is intended to serve as a warning that a vehicle is slowing down.