This bill lets cars and other vehicles use a brief “pulsing” brake light at the top center of the rear window to help prevent rear-end crashes. When the driver hits the brakes, that high-mounted brake light can flash quickly a few times (no more than four times in 1.2 seconds) and then stay solid like normal until the brake is released. The goal is to catch the attention of drivers behind you and improve safety on the road.

The change takes effect as soon as the law is enacted. It also tells the U.S. Department of Transportation to update the national vehicle lighting rules within 180 days so these pulsing systems are clearly allowed and meet performance standards. The rules it updates cover lighting for passenger cars, SUVs, trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles, so these vehicles can use the pulsing brake light system .

Key points:

• Who’s affected: Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles.
• What changes: High-mounted brake lights may briefly pulse, then switch to a steady light while braking; national lighting rules will be updated to include performance standards for these systems .
• When: Allowed starting on the date the law takes effect; rule updates due within 180 days after that.