[citicar1976]

Deceleration Light

... But in Europe some cars are introducing variable intensity brake lights (depending on the deceleration level)... maybe a good idea to take into account not only the action on the left pedal ?

If memory serves me right, there was a movement in the late 1960's or early 1970's, to have a yellow deceleration light mounted on the rear of American cars. It would have been similar to the third brake light that is currently on all cars, but would have come on only when the car was coasting and the brake pedal was not depressed. Supposedly, a study was done which found that the light was very effective at reducing rear end accidents.

 

[citicar1976]

Re: OT: Variable intensity brake lights

Adjusting the lit width of an LED bar gives positive indication of brake action at all times, and it intuitively indicates increased levels of braking.

I think that this would be very easy to do with the Prius since it already has a computer for the braking system. The brake ECU could send a signal to the third brake light telling it how many LEDs to light. It would just require a programing change and the addition of a small control module to the brake light.