Stoptix Brake Light Auto-Warns When Car Is Slowing

Apply your brakes, and the red brake lights on the rear of your vehicle will illuminate to advise others on the road. This is the common arrangement, one also utilized on bicycles, motorcycles, golf carts, and just about any other mode of transportation. While it is a very important safety element, it does have a limitation — the brake lights only illuminate if the driver is actively applying the brakes. That's not the only situation in which a car might decelerate, however.

If your car spontaneously shuts down while driving due to some sort of mechanical failure, if you take your foot off the accelerator while going up an incline, downshift, or any other number of things, your vehicle will slow down but the person behind you won't be able to readily discern that change in speed until you touch the brakes.

It's easy to get rear-ended in these situations, and that's where the Stoptix rear brake light comes in. This light illuminates when the vehicle slows down, even if the brakes haven't been used, alerting those to the rear that the car is losing speed.

The device was made by Mech Optix of Alabama.

The brake lights are fitted with LED lights and a sensor that detects speed. There's a battery that powers it all, offering 20 seconds of light; it recharges when brakes are applied, and holds the charge for up to three hours. In theory, this means you'll never have to worry about it not illuminating until you've gone more than three hours without hitting the brakes.

The bulb can be preordered for $59.95 USD.

VIA: Gizmag