(R)EVOLUTION - The revolution in automotive signalling

The revolution in automotive signalling

Automotive signalling is such an integral part of our driving experience that we sometimes forget it is the result of a long evolution. While lights, indicators and other lighting devices seem obvious today, their widespread use and refinement are the result of a century of research, ingenuity and a desire to improve road safety.

A decisive step forward was taken in the 1970s. Car manufacturers, aware of the growing importance of visual signalling in increasingly dense traffic, widely adopted electric indicators. These small orange lights, which have become indispensable, clearly indicate an intention to change direction, thus reducing the risk of collisions due to misunderstandings between drivers. At the same time, brake lights were improved to better signal braking and make it easier to read a vehicle’s reactions in traffic.

In 1975, a new advance made a lasting impression: the appearance of the third brake light, positioned high up at the rear of the vehicle. This seemingly simple device proved to be extremely effective. Placed in the direct field of vision of the driver behind, it allowed for better anticipation of braking and contributed to a significant reduction in rear-end collisions. Gradually adopted, this additional light became mandatory in Europe and many other countries in the 1990s, confirming its essential role in accident prevention.

This evolution in signalling illustrates how road safety has been built up in small steps, thanks to innovations that are often discreet but decisive. It also shows how automotive technology is not limited to mechanical performance or design, but also affects the way vehicles interact with each other and their environment. Even today, these devices shape our daily driving: a forgotten indicator, a faulty brake light, and the fragile balance of traffic can be disrupted.

But the history of automotive signalling goes back well before these technical advances of the 20th century. As early as 1914, American actress and inventor Florence Lawrence, an often-forgotten pioneer, had already imagined a mechanical steering arm to indicate a lane change, as well as a device to signal braking. Her visionary ideas, although rudimentary, laid the foundations for what would become a global standard.

So, behind every light that comes on or every indicator that flashes, there is a whole history of inventiveness and constant research into safety. These innovations may be discreet, but they have saved and continue to save millions of lives on the roads.