What are reverse lights for?

[James k]

When I arrived in the car park at work yesterday morning, a colleague of mine was complaining that his new car only had a tiny reverse light and that it failed to illuminate the road behind him. I said that this was my main issue with not having one on my car but it got us into a discussion about what reverse lights were actually intended for.

Clearly, they serve two purposes: to indicate to other drivers that you are reversing and to illuminate whatever is behind you. I wonder if anyone here knows, or perhaps remembers, what the original intention was.

Thanks,
James

[philthehill]

Years ago when hills were steep and cars had low power & reverse gear was lower than first gear cars were often reversed up hills.
That was ok in daylight but very difficult to see where you were going when it was dark. So some bright spark had the idea of fitting white illuminating light(s) to the rear of the car so you could see where you were going when in reverse going up a hill.

[les]

I would imagine they were original used for the purpose you describe James !! What else could it be ?

[NETTIE]

Reversing lights were there to check if your caravan was still attached

[James k]

I would imagine they were original used for the purpose you describe James !! What else could it be ?

What I mean is were they intended to be an indication or an illumination, primarily. When I was discussing it, I was here I only one who thought it was mainly to see behind you. The consensus was that it was to provide and indication to drivers behind you and that the illumination was a nice side-effect.

[les]

Now you’ve really confused me Look upon it like this ———headlights help you see where you are going, it’s the same with reverse lights. ——and as mentioned, it warns others.

[svenedin]

I have always thought reversing lights were to warn others of your intentions. As soon as you put a car in reverse gear the light comes on. I am acutely aware of the absence of a reversing light on my Minor especially in busy car parks at supermarkets. Once the car is actually moving in reverse it is pretty obvious what is going on!

[geoberni]

I think there is a big difference in the original invention and need for reversing lights and what they have become on modern vehicles.

I've always believed they were to see what was behind when reversing, and certainly the reason I fitted an after market one to my first car (1969 Mk 1 Escort) in the mid 1970s.

This is an interesting read: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-ori ... ight/39283
About 1/3 of the way down the page.....

As you might have already guessed, the A-68 also came with the world's first production automatic reversing light. According to a relative of Wills, he had a habit of reversing into fire hydrants in the dark - which, despite his best efforts, would typically remain unsurprisingly affixed to the ground while the car's bumper merrily restyled itself around them.

To avoid this issue, and to further make his cars easier to drive and to live with, Wills - in collaboration with engineer Cromwell Halvorson - designed and patented a new type of 'vehicle light' in late 1920.
'The usual lighting circuit for motor vehicles includes a source of power, headlights and a low-power tail light,' stated the patent. 'In the use of a vehicle provided with such a circuit, no means are provided for illuminating the roadway in the rear of the vehicle. It is often highly desirable in backing the vehicle at night to have an effective rear illumination.'

The result of their efforts was a switched system that, when reverse was engaged, would activate a white reversing light - illuminating the view behind the vehicle, highlighting any pesky fire hydrants or other hazards. This was made a standard feature on the A-68 in 1921; in Europe, companies such as Volvo wouldn't introduce automatic reversing lights until 1933, while the likes of Chrysler didn't make them standard-fit until 1959.

[philthehill]

Back in the day before there were dedicated reversing lights a fog light would be fitted so you could see where you were going in the dark. Very popular on cars used for rallying.

[James k]

I think there is a big difference in the original invention and need for reversing lights and what they have become on modern vehicles.

I've always believed they were to see what was behind when reversing, and certainly the reason I fitted an after market one to my first car (1969 Mk 1 Escort) in the mid 1970s.

This is an interesting read: https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-ori ... ight/39283
About 1/3 of the way down the page.....

As you might have already guessed, the A-68 also came with the world's first production automatic reversing light. According to a relative of Wills, he had a habit of reversing into fire hydrants in the dark - which, despite his best efforts, would typically remain unsurprisingly affixed to the ground while the car's bumper merrily restyled itself around them.

To avoid this issue, and to further make his cars easier to drive and to live with, Wills - in collaboration with engineer Cromwell Halvorson - designed and patented a new type of 'vehicle light' in late 1920.
'The usual lighting circuit for motor vehicles includes a source of power, headlights and a low-power tail light,' stated the patent. 'In the use of a vehicle provided with such a circuit, no means are provided for illuminating the roadway in the rear of the vehicle. It is often highly desirable in backing the vehicle at night to have an effective rear illumination.'

The result of their efforts was a switched system that, when reverse was engaged, would activate a white reversing light - illuminating the view behind the vehicle, highlighting any pesky fire hydrants or other hazards. This was made a standard feature on the A-68 in 1921; in Europe, companies such as Volvo wouldn't introduce automatic reversing lights until 1933, while the likes of Chrysler didn't make them standard-fit until 1959.

Very interesting. My best guess is that they were originally introduced to illuminate the road for the driver but over time they have become viewed as primarily a reverse indicator light.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Like most things the design of cars in the 21st Century has gone to pot, with light clusters so arranged that it's hard to distinguish an indicator flashing, amongst other things. Then some bright sparks decided it was a good idea to tint all rear windows very dark, a marvellous idea for when you need to see out in the dark.

[James k]

Indicators have got tiny on some modern cars, or they're those 'chasing lights' ones that I often don't spot as being an indicator. On the other hand, new headlights seem to be required to let you see into the future, and blind oncoming drivers!

[exlkrs]

Originally illumination. Later they got trickier, with gearbox switches, I suggest then they became a warning light too!

[daveejhitchins]

Talking about lights . . . . Ford have announced, after a long period of consultation with the public, a new low cost version of the Escort. Major cost savings have been introduced which include, amongst others, removing the indicators - the highest voted components that aren't used by the majority of users . . . . .

Dave H.

[simmitc]

I thought that it was BMW drivers who didn't have those optional extras fitted.

[philthehill]

An automatic illuminated reversing light does not mean that the car is reversing - it just means that the driver has engaged reverse gear.
My own preference is to put the hazard waring lights on when reversing especially in crowded car parks.