Adding a third brake light?

[Steve W]

Probably a crazy question, but has anyone added a third brake light, like on the rear window shelf, to their classic? Traffic here in L.A. is SO bad, with way too many “drivers” texting while driving, and other distractions, I’m afraid I’ll get rear/ended with just the two little brake lights on my 68.
Any ideas?

[Highwayman68]

I want to do the same thing with my 68. I tried googling third brake lights but can never find a simple deck mount that is placed against the rear window inside. I am also interested in options on what to buy.

[Abe Lugo]

In Los Angeles, if an idiot texting driver is going to hit you, a third brake like will not stop them unfortunately. But yeah same thought has crossed my mind. 
See image.  I would put something like this in the rear header shelf panel.  Maybe wrap it in similar cloth as the panel or paint it black.  There are other GM lights you can modify to look more like it belonged there with the match upholstery fabric.

Another thing you can do is add a reinforced tow hitch receiver that is welding into your frame.  So if you do get hit it keeps it all square and you mess the ish out of the other guy.  I have a nice setup on my F150 and have accidentally backed into a few things over the years and never had any actual bumper issues.
I live in LA too.

[39LaSalleDriver]

For a hot minute a couple of years ago I considered this setup, but ended up deciding to stay stock. So I can't speak to their quality or anything, but they seem to cater to the antique/vintage car market:

https://www.brakelighter.com/Default.asp

[Steve W]

“Bingo!” That’s exactly what I’m looking for, USNTar!!! Thank you!

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

I doubt a third brake light is going to make much difference with drivers who are texting.

[Steve W]

Sadly, it might not make a too much of a difference, but a little extra visibility when stuck in close traffic would be something that would help catch the eye of someone just glancing up from their iPhone! Moreso than the two brake lights spread far apart and relatively low, compared to most SUVs.

[TJ Hopland]

I agree that compared to most modern cars our classics have pretty tiny and comparatively dim lights so something extra could help.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The initial idea of the "third" brake light, or "High-mounted" brake light was so that when in traffic, the drivers in the line of cars could see through the windows of the cars in front, and instantly see when vehicles ahead were applying their brakes, well before the car directly ahead applied his own brake.

This allowed the line of traffic to be prepared to stop/slow down, thus avoiding inevitable tail-enders.

The trouble these days is people put heavily tinting to their rear windows, the car design limits "through" visibility, making the third light sometimes very hard to detect when looking down the road.

People that only drive, looking at the car directly in front of them, will always run up the back of the car in front, unless they leave a lot of room, then another car will always cut in,  in front of them as nobody likes to leave a space unfilled. 

Bruce.

[David Greenburg]

I’ve been looking into this as well, hoping to find something wireless/ removable that could come out for shows and the like.  The “brakelighter” was  the best option I’ve found so far. Although the lights in the fins help since they’re up high, I’ve always been worried that today’s drivers are so used to seeing  the center high-mounted light that it’s risky not to have one.

[Cadman-iac]

I put a high mounted stop light on my '81 El Camino. It has the taillights in the bumper, below the tailgate.  If someone was too close,  they would never see my taillights and rear end me. I had that happen once already, and that is why I added the light.
I used one from a mid '90's Suburban that sat on the outside of the roof, so it was perfect for the  El Camino.

As for one in a classic Cadillac,  I'd want one that sits inside and has a shield that meets the rear glass. Without the shield,  you get a reflection off the glass whenever the light comes on.

Rick

[INTMD8]

I doubt a third brake light is going to make much difference with drivers who are texting.

Have to agree.  If this person entirely misses a vehicle in front of them not sure more lights would matter.

[Jim Miller]

My '41 and '49 both have the third light. They are slim bars, unobtrusive, sitting along bottom of the window. The tail lights are not the biggest, brightest, or easiest to see. So it can't hurt.

[Bob Schuman]

Take a look at the website for <brakelighter.com>. They sell an LED light that works as a third brake light and also with the turn signals, it's very slim, comes with brackets and suction cups. I have no connection to that vendor, but have used their lights on four cars and am very satisfied. The suction cups work well on reasonably vertical windows, but not so well on the steeply sloped glass on a fastback like a 41-49 Cadillac fastback model.

[dochawk]

I think it was New York taxis that first mounted the third high brake light.

The reduction I the number of rear end collisions for vehicles equipped with them was downright stunning. (my dusty memory wants to say something like a third or half as many collisions).

They spread rapidly after that . . .

And then there was that idiotic minivan design a decade or so ago with huge bright lights all the way up the corners on both sides--which left momentary night blindness in its wake when it passed you.

[Big Apple Caddy]

Various studies with passenger cars, commercial vehicles, taxis, etc. back in the 1970s showed that third brake lights reduced accident rates by more than 50%.  This led the government to make them mandatory starting with 1986 models.  Some automakers, including Cadillac, had them standard or available on select models before that.

[60eldo]

  You are in  a car that weighs 4600lbs, I wouldnt be worried about a cavalier hitting me in that. Second of all the look, kinda cheesey. Most of us dont even wear seat belts. Your driving something thats a classic ,keep it that way,,,,just my opinion

[35-709]

I would be worried about anything/anyone rear-ending my pride and joy --- even with a Smart car, or a Yugo!
And you can bet I wear my seat belt in all my cars, including my 1935!
ALL of my cars have 3rd brake lights, mounted in the sheet metal.   

[Scot Minesinger]

The older Caddys are probably safer in traffic than many other cars because they are so visible and stand out.  Some of my friends driving std silver daily drivers following me in my red 1970 Cadillac DVC remarked that they were almost hit by other cars spending too much time looking at my Cadillac. 

In traffic, you may risk rear ending someone else, because if you allow a safe distance someone cuts in front of you and slams on the breaks. 

Yes, always wear your seat belt.  And avoid heavy traffic in your classic.

[chrisntam]

For those that always wear their seatbelt (I do), do you also strap in with your shoulder belt (if yours is separate from the lap belt?

I find the lap belt (in my '70) will only keep me from being ejected and won't keep me from doing a face plant into the steering wheel (though I always maintain very safe distance from the car in front of me).  Seems the lap belt really won't help much in the case of a nasty collision.

I've come to embrace crumple zones, air bags and 3 point belts.