As you can probably tell from my lack of posting, it's been another tremendously slow day for Mercedes news; however shoveling the 8+ inches of snow we received yesterday has managed to keep me somewhat preoccupied.

While taking a brake from my outdoor activities, I did manage to find one story today that I had to bring you - it's actually an update to story we brought you way back in October of last year.

At the time, Mercedes was trying to introduce flashing brake lights to the American market. Already adopted by the European market, the brake lights are activated at about 30 mph, and function by flashing rapidly anytime brake pressure is suddenly applied.

Although to me the feature sounded like a logical progression to improving driving safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration disagreed, due largely in part to a law requiring steady-burning vehicle lights.  In an effort to plead their case, Mercedes-Benz asked for a two-year exemption from the law, and asked that they be allowed to prove their technology really could help reduce rear-end collisions.

All of that leads me to this - it turns out, the NHTSA accepted Mercedes' offer, and has granted them their wish of a two-year exemption from the law (within limits, of course).  MSNBC is reporting the story, and has questioned whether or not flashing brake lights really will benefit drivers. 

If you read my last story, you already know how I feel about the subject. Mercedes has always been at the forefront of vehicle safety and technology, and to me this is yet another example bolstering my case. 

I'll let you form your own opinions, and if you want to hear what MSNBC has to say about the subject, you can check out their story by clicking here.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some shoveling to attend to.