While many cars sold in North America feature red turn signal indicators built into their rear light clusters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that the amber signals installed in some cars can be more than 5 percent more effective at preventing wrecks than their red counterparts, which the agency says blend too much with brake lights.
The agency says it is considering mandating orange turn signals, rather than allow automakers to choose the color, for the near future.
European countries have long required orange turn signals for the rear, while the United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108. has not regulated the color.
Analysts say that the change would not be costly for automakers since it would merely require a change in lens color.
