Why Do Some Cars Have Red Turn Signals and Others Yellow?
When it comes to safety and effectiveness, there is a difference between the two colors
It’s common to see red turn signals in the U.S., even though many foreign countries use amber. In terms of safety and effectiveness, is there a difference when it comes to the color of your turn signals?
“In the U.S., regulations permit both red and amber rear turn signals, but many other countries require amber,” says Avri Wyshogrod, Consumer Reports’ auto engineer. “Studies indicate amber signals are safer in rear-end and lane-change crashes.”
The advantage of amber rear turn signals is shown to be statistically significant. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration determined that amber signals show a 5.3 percent greater effectiveness compared to red signals in reducing two-vehicle crashes where a lead vehicle is rear-struck in the act of turning left, turning right, merging into traffic, changing lanes, or entering/leaving a parking space.
So why does the U.S. even allow red turn signals? It could have to do with design aesthetics and the potential that it’s simply cheaper to use red for all rear lamps. And changes to standards require a rigorous scrutiny of cost vs. benefit.
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Editor’s Note: This article has been adapted from an episode of Talking Cars.
