Automatic backup->hazard light connection?

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2 total messages Started by wales Thu, 13 Feb 1986 03:41

#685

Author: wales
Date: Thu, 13 Feb 1986 03:41

30 lines
2083 bytes

IDEA:  Connect the backup lights to the hazard blinkers, so that the
    hazard lights would automatically come on whenever the ignition is
    on and the car is in reverse.

    This feature could be implemented easily in most cars via an addi-
    tional relay (with its coil voltage derived from the line to the
    backup lights).

    Since the backup lights are on only when the ignition is on, this
    feature would NOT cause the hazard lights to keep on blinking if the
    car were left parked in reverse.

RATIONALE:  If someone goes into reverse while on the road (e.g., while
    doing a parallel-park maneuver), he presents an increased hazard to
    any cars behind him.  The car's backup lights might not be easily
    visible, especially during the daytime.

    One might argue that a driver should not try to parallel-park if
    there are cars behind him.  However, in actual practice, a driver
    desperately looking for a parking place is highly unlikely to pass
    up a space just because there is someone behind him (who will prob-
    ably take the same space if given a chance).

Any comments on this proposal?  Has it ever been done?  Would a car so
equipped (or so modified) be illegal in some places?
-- 
Rich Wales // UCLA Computer Science Department // +1 213-825-5683
	3531 Boelter Hall // Los Angeles, California 90024 // USA
	ARPA:   wales@LOCUS.UCLA.EDU  -or-  wales@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA
	UUCP:   ...!(ucbvax,ihnp4)!ucla-cs!wales

Automatic backup->hazard light connection?

#719

Author: wales
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 1986 20:08

34 lines
2296 bytes

[I posted the following article a week ago -- but since I have seen
absolutely no feedback on it, I am assuming it was somehow lost and
am therefore posting it again. -- RBW]

IDEA:  Connect the backup lights to the hazard blinkers, so that the
    hazard lights would automatically come on whenever the ignition is
    on and the car is in reverse.

    This feature could be implemented easily in most cars via an addi-
    tional relay (with its coil voltage derived from the line to the
    backup lights).

    Since the backup lights are on only when the ignition is on, this
    feature would NOT cause the hazard lights to keep on blinking if the
    car were left parked in reverse.

RATIONALE:  If someone goes into reverse while on the road (e.g., while
    doing a parallel-park maneuver), he presents an increased hazard to
    any cars behind him.  The car's backup lights might not be easily
    visible, especially during the daytime.

    One might argue that a driver should not try to parallel-park if
    there are cars behind him.  However, in actual practice, a driver
    desperately looking for a parking place is highly unlikely to pass
    up a space just because there is someone behind him (who will prob-
    ably take the same space if given a chance).

Any comments on this proposal?  Has it ever been done?  Would a car so
equipped (or so modified) be illegal in some places?
-- 
Rich Wales // UCLA Computer Science Department // +1 213-825-5683
	3531 Boelter Hall // Los Angeles, California 90024 // USA
	ARPA:   wales@LOCUS.UCLA.EDU  -or-  wales@UCLA-LOCUS.ARPA
	UUCP:   ...!(ucbvax,ihnp4)!ucla-cs!wales

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