Drivers' Perceptions of Front Brake Lights: A Statistical Analysis of Road Safety Benefits

ABSTRACT This paper presents a statistical analysis of the impact of front brake lights (FBL) used in real road traffic on road safety from the perspective of the participating drivers. In contrast to traditional brake lights mounted on the rear of vehicles, the FBL provides additional information about the driver's intention to stop, especially to road traffic users looking at the front of the vehicle (e.g., when the vehicle is approaching). This innovative solution is designed to enhance road safety by offering supplementary visual cues, particularly in scenarios when it may be challenging to discern rear brake lights. In this study, 2,476 surveys were collected from drivers (both professionals and non‐professionals) and analysed to determine how the presence of FBL affected their perception of road safety. The statistical investigation revealed that only 13% of participants stated that FBL had never assisted in mitigating or minimising the risk of collision. It is noteworthy that the older generation and women drivers (both professional and non‐professional) evaluated FBL more positively. On the other hand, professional drivers demonstrated more scepticism and a neutral attitude towards the benefits of FBL. These findings highlight the need for targeted information campaigns.