Truck-Maker Wants Flashing Warning Lights Instead of Steady Ones
Published Date: 10/20/2026
Notice
Summary
Grote Industries wants permission to use special flashing warning lights on big trucks instead of the usual steady lights. If approved, truck drivers could use these new safety lights that help prevent rear-end crashes. The public can share their thoughts by November 19, 2026, so get ready to weigh in!
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Five‑year exemption to allow flashing RCW lamps
Grote applied for a five‑year exemption from 49 CFR 393.25(e) to allow motor carriers to operate commercial motor vehicles with auxiliary warning lamps controlled by Grote's Rear‑End Collision Warning (RCW) system instead of the required steady‑burning exterior lamps. If FMCSA grants the exemption, motor carriers could install and use these RCW auxiliary lamps under the exemption conditions.
RCW activates at 2.1–4.0 second TTC threshold
Grote described the RCW system as calculating time‑to‑collision (TTC) and activating when TTC is less than or equal to a threshold typically between 2.1 and 4.0 seconds. The original application stated this activation threshold range and that the system would trigger a warning sequence when that TTC threshold is reached.
RCW uses amber pulses; steady‑red tied to braking
Grote clarified that the RCW warning lamps pulse in amber for up to four seconds and do not transition to a steady‑burning red indication as part of the RCW function. Grote also said any steady‑burning red indication would be associated with the brake‑activated auxiliary pulsating lamp function, not the RCW warning function.
Automatic rear radar detects vehicles ~200 meters
Grote stated the RCW uses a self‑contained rear‑facing radar that can detect approaching vehicles at distances of approximately 200 meters, continuously evaluates relative motion, calculates TTC, and automatically activates the auxiliary amber warning lamps when the TTC threshold is reached. Grote also said the RCW does not require driver activation and will not interfere with other radar‑based vehicle detection systems.
Exemption requested to cover all CMVs, combos install on rear unit
Grote stated the requested exemption would apply to all commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). For combination vehicles with more than one trailing unit (including doubles and triples), Grote said the RCW system would be installed and operated on the rear‑most unit of the combination.
Stakeholder concern about steady‑red interpretation
During the public comment period, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) expressed concern that following motorists could interpret a steady‑burning red lamp as an indication that the CMV was braking and recommended that the RCW system not transition from flashing amber to steady‑burning red for warnings unrelated to brake application.
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