Perhaps not as annoying as Mary Hart’s voice, but the new Ford Mustang “sequential” turn signals are distracting. I was running errands in the car today, and a Mustang came up on my right, and I was confused by this flashing of lights. I couldn’t quite figure it out in my peripheral vision. I looked in the drivers’ side mirror, and he was staring right at me, with a creepy Mustang-driver-pointy-mustache. Then I figured he must be indicating a lane change.
I wonder what kind of studies Ford did that would indicate that this kind of flashing indicator would be effective, safe, and useful in the flow of traffic. It doesn’t help that the three light panels are separated by white reverse lights, which interrupt the “sequential” flow. It looks like a disco dance floor. And how might one discern the difference between a fully charged turn indicator and the tap of the brakes?
This seems like classic wiz-bang marketing.
If engineers still designed cars, rather than marketers, a single, bright, orange indicator light works best. They should be mandated.
I always assumed yellow indicators were not only an industry standard, but a legal requirement. So, I have to have white or yellow reflectors on my bicycle’s pedals, but cars can have disco lights for turn signals? That makes good sense.
I think that in certain countries (EU nations, perhaps), that is the case. But not here. You have to have reflectors on your pedals? That’s news to me!
Sequential signals were a big selling point for the Mercury Cougar…in 1968. Sorry that you don’t like them, but they are nothing new.