Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael C Henry
Are the reversing lights for, a warning or to actually see where you might be backing to?
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If legislation required them to actually illuminate the area behind you, then major automakers would be producing something far brighter than we see. I believe the intent is a warning to those behind you, much like reversing alarms on commercial vehicles, forklifts, loaders, etc.
Roughly 40 years ago I drove a Ford E-150. Anyone familiar with these realizes the postage stamp size backup lights were useless at illuminating anything behind you. There were many places I travelled that weren't lit up very well (e.g. my parents' cabin), so I installed a pair of inexpensive lights under the rear bumper and wired them so they'd light up with the factory backup lights. Big improvement - you could actually see things BEFORE you hit them.