Many buses and electronic communication devices use a strip matrix of led lights to spell out a message that can scroll or flash to describe something. A similar strip fastened to the rear of an automobile with a computer input could flash several standard messages activated by a series of numbered buttons or a special message input from a keyboard. It could warn a following driver he was tailgating or, thank him for making way, or activated by an inertial switch could flash a message of a sudden braking or could indicate a medical emergency or many other quick indications of road trouble. It could double as a brake light or with a series of scrolling arrows could be a turn indicator.
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Sure and flash the bird and four letter words and then more road rage ... lets not go there.
There are many easy ways for drivers to express anger and contempt on the road but almost no ways to express gratitude or delight or the nature of an emergency which may excuse behavior not normally acceptable in traffic. A communication strip would move towards a remedy for this.
That very device featured in popular science's "what's new" in 1987. Obviosly it didn't do to well in the marketplace, but I suspect it could be ripe for a rebirth. That technology is much more affordable than it was then, and I think it would be poplular with teens these days. They love sending humerous messages. I remember it because I thought "who would buy that? It costs a fortune, and I can't imagine a Mercedes driver with one". You could probably get something like that (mass produced in China)for a few bucks these days, within the teenage range.
I've seen those, usually used on taxis or commercial vehicles.
I really don't want to know what the idiot driving ahead of me is "thinking," I don't want him to have another toy distracting him from his cell phone conversation as he rides up, repeatedly, over the curb, and then into the parked police car...
I have plans to build something like that, but it'd be illegal. They have a emoticon version on <A href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/electronic/8e9a/">Think Geek</A>
Haha the emoticon thing would be cool but I have to say I have also had this idea and I only wanted to used it to taunt cops and exchange phone numbers with the cutie in the next lane on the highway but in mainstream use I do think it would be rather distracting to fools wishing to say something stupid...think about how some ppl wont stop texting on their phones...omg it would be a massive disaster!! Besides there is already a myriad of ways to communicate while you commute haha :D
This is way more dangerous than it is useful, especially since its abuse would cause more problems than its proper use would solve.
I though about this idea myself many years ago, but mainly for self expression :-), not for reading what the others have to say...
This would simply distract people from the road.