The recogniseability of vehicles can be much improved by standardisation of their illumination. In particular the standardisation of the rear-lights of cars, trucks, lorries and bicycles is important from the point of view of road safety. The conspicuousness of all vehicles can be improved when vehicles have their lights on during daylight. These are the main conclusions of research aimed at reducing front-rear collisions and collisions with parked vehicles. It is suggested that vehicles should be subdivided into seven categories. Bicycles should have a red rear light and a yellow one below it. On cars the rear lights must be placed as far as possible from each other. Lorries and trucks should have four red rear lights. Signal lights on cars should be divided, in particular braking and rear lights. standardisation of an emergency-stop signal is suggested. The use of illumination during daylight must not be limited to one category of vehicle. If one category of vehicle is more easily discernible, the other ones will be less so.
Samenvatting