Brake lights were introduced in 1915 at the back of cars to notify drivers following a vehicle that it was about to stop. In 1995, a third brake light became mandatory in Malaysia to further improve safety. In 2025, researchers from the Institute for Vehicle Safety at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), Austria released a study that found that front brake lights can reduce accidents.
Researchers analyzed 200 accidents that occurred at intersections and found that between 7.5 – 15% of accidents could be avoided if brake lights were placed in front of the vehicle. In 25% of cases, injuries could also be reduced because the vehicle's speed was successfully reduced.
Front brake lights provide a warning that vehicles approaching the intersection will stop or continue their journey. Drivers can then take appropriate action according to the situation to avoid accidents. Researchers recommend that brake lights not only be placed in front but also on the sides of the vehicle so that it is easier to see oncoming vehicles. They also recommend that green brake lights be used to distinguish them from rear brake lights and that they are easier to see.
There are already several EVs equipped with multi-colored headlights as a decoration. This front brake light system could theoretically be introduced today via a software update. It could also be added to existing vehicles without any complicated modifications. Perhaps in the near future, KITT-like front brake lights from the Knight Rider series will be the new norm on vehicles.