Brake Light Out

It seems to me that there should be a recognized and common signal that a driver of a car traveling behind a vehicle with a non-working brake light can use to alert that driver of the defect. As a courtesy, drivers often signal other drivers of the presence of speed traps. This would be similar, and lead to safer vehicles and safer driving.

As a driver it is almost impossible to know that your own brake light isn't working. Headlights are easy enough. Turn them on, get out of the car and check. But, you can't do that with brake lights. Once, luckily, someone on a motorcycle came up to my driver's side window at a stop light to let me know that both my brake lights were out. I had no idea. Often, the yearly checkup may be the only time someone finds out a brake light doesn't work. Or if they are stopped by police.

Since my own incident, I have noticed more than once at traffic lights, stop signs and even just driving that the car in front of me has one or more brake lights that aren't working. It is a dangerous condition, but there is no easy way to let the driver know. Therefore, I suggest two short beeps of the horn as a signal that a brake light of the car you are following is not working. Of course, there would have to be advertising so that everyone would recognize the significance of the signal. But, I think such a signal, or one like it, could easily help make the roads safer.