BACKGROUND ART Of constant irritation to drivers of vehicles is the use of bright lights by vehicles from behind. This has the effect of reflecting the light from the rear view mirror directly into the driver's eyes and, apart from waving an ineffective hand in front of the rear view. mirror, there is virtually no other way of asking or demanding the driver behind to dip his/her headlights.

It has become a common practice, in this country at least, for the driver of an overtaking vehicle to hand signal his/her thanks to a driver who pulls aside to allow the overtake, or to flash the rear lights of the vehicle so that the overtaken driver can observe the flashed thanks.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and inexpensive signal for a following motorist and one which is easily operated by a driver.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In its broadest application the invention comprises a switch operable by a driver to actuate rear-facing lights of the vehicle which are visible to a following motorist.

In a preferred form of the invention either or both of the pair of reversing and rear indicator lights are used as the message lights but it is preferred that the reversing lights alone be used as a request for the following motorist to dip his headlights and that the indicator lights be used to indicate gratitude once the dipping operation has been made.

The switch or switches may take the form of paddle levers, push buttons or the like and this may be located in an accessible position such as on the dashboard or on the steering wheel-for example on the rear side of the wheel. A double acting switch may be provided which actuates the reversing lights at the first position and the indicator lights at the second position. Thus a first actuation the reversing lights to come on and the second actuation causes the indicator lights to light up. These operations could also be accomplished automatically with the fitment of brightness sensitive sensors at the rear of the vehicle.

It is believed that widespread use of the invention will accustom drivers of the intention of the messages made by the lights and this will solve many undesirable. situations and provide a better way of thanking courteous drivers. The actuation of both indicator lights may also become associated with an apology in some circumstances.

The arrangement may be effected in any one of many ways and, in general, comprises the provision of a circuit or circuits in parallel with the existing circuitry for the rear lights with the addition of the switch or switches.