Any presence of
brake light emissions of another vehicle to the forward of a subject vehicle is sensed in a color camera and
microprocessor system that detects (i)
red light(s) illuminations in excess of other colors, that are any of (ii) appropriately sized, (iii) appropriately located, (iv) simultaneously occurring, (v) spaced apart in separation, (vi) substantially horizontal, and / or (vii) of approximately of equal intensity, as would be appropriate to a single
brake light, or to a pair of
brake lights, as the case may be. The brake lights of the subject vehicle are preferably applied either during (i) the persistence of any detection of the
brake light(s) of any other vehicle(s) to the forward, or (ii) normal application of the subject vehicle's own brakes. The forward-sensed rearward-propagated
brake light signal is preferably delayed in propagation, limiting any propagation of minor perturbations in traffic. Optional application of the vehicle's own brakes may be conditioned upon (i) proximity to and / or rate of closure with a forward emission source as is preferably determined by angles, and / or upon (ii) rate of closure, speed or deceleration G force of the subject vehicle. The
brake light signal, whether simple or sophisticated in either its development and / or presentation, beneficially alerts drivers to the rear of impending or actual slowing, thus deterring rear end collisions and promoting fuel economy.