Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Tailgate Warning Light 2

A light on the dash that turns yellow, then progressively more red if you're too close
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Sensors on your car measure how far the car in front of you is, measure your speed and calculate how far back you should be to brake safely if the car in front of you slams on his brakes.

If you're too close, the light turns yellow. If your way too close it eventually turns red.

I'm sure this has been proposed, I just didn't see it in the HB. I'm only seeing stuff that warns the guy behind you to back off.

doctorremulac3, Mar 23 2011

Related technology Range_2fSpeed-Diffe...de_20View_20Mirrors
[normzone, Mar 23 2011]

[link]






       I would think that your sensors would also want to take into account the lead car's speed.   

       Unfortunately this whole idea of a safe following distance has been through some changes since we were introduced to it in drivers education in our teens. The system is so overloaded that opening up a safe following distance often results in more traffic moving into the perceived opportunity.   

       Physics experiments have demonstrated that if you open up distance between yourself and the car ahead of you frequently enough you can actually begin to go backwards, eventually returning to where you started, or sometimes even further back.   

       I was hoping that this idea would include dash warning lights that let you know when you have a taillight out.
normzone, Mar 23 2011
  

       I'd add some kind of rain or show sensor as well and have that factored into the calculation. Use technology or something.   

       There is, admittedly, a problem with keeping a safe distance from the car in front of you. It opens up that little moron slot that attracts drivers who go "Oooo! A space! If I squeeze in there I could probably shave 1/1000th of a second off my trip!"   

       And then, yea, you really do end up going backwards practically.
doctorremulac3, Mar 23 2011
  

       Using technology is too simple. Have it link to the weather report.
normzone, Mar 23 2011
  
      
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