AutoWeek is reporting that Mercedes has asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a two-year exemption from a federal law that requires "steady-burning" lights on vehicles.  This request comes after a ruling in May, in which the NHTSA rejected Mercedes' request to permanently allow flashing brake lights.

Mercedes believes that rather than using steady-burning brake lights, cars should instead be outfitted with brake lights that flash rapidly in the event of emergency braking, warning drivers of impending danger.  Mercedes goes on to point out that in order for the flashing lights to function, several criteria must be met, including speeds in excess of 31 mph, as well various vehicle deceleration factors.  In other words, the flashing lights won't operate in regular braking conditions, but only in the event of emergency stopping.

I personally have never seen Mercedes' flashing brake lights first hand, but I'm all for any added safety features in new vehicles.  How many people have been in a situation where they're traveling at night at a high rate of speed, especially on the freeway, when suddenly they see brake lights up ahead.  There is no way of telling if the driver of the vehicle has slowed downed a little, slammed on his brakes, completely stopped... from what I can see with Mercedes' flashing lights, this would at least make it easier to judge what's going on ahead of you.

If you want to check out the full story of the flashing brake lights over at AutoWeek, you can find the article here.