110 uses the preprogrammed timing signal for the timing and sequence of the lighting intensity color and direction of illumination from illumination source 104 and variable lighting element 108 after the timing sequence is established the synchronizer 110 sends out a wireless timing signal step 312 for example vehicles driving in the north direction may receive a timing signal to emit blue lights at a frequency of 0 5 seconds northward and vehicles traveling in the south direction may receive a timing signal to emit green light at a frequency of 0 5 seconds southward the lighting difference provides the increased contrast necessary to see more objects in the roadway a vehicle mounted variable lighting element 108 may be programmed such that if no other vehicle is within a predetermined range such as approximately 1000 to 1500 feet then no side and rear vehicle lighting is emitted the range may be established by the detection of a wireless signal from detector 114 in one embodiment detector 114 can also detect a predetermined signal such as one from an emergency vehicle motion detector noise detector distress signal traffic signal or other unrelated occurrence if the detector is activated the vls 110 may noticeably modify the light emission to produce a flash flash red or other color or produce some other noticeable change the vls 102 response to a predetermined signal may vary with the source of signal for example the vls 102 may produce a red tint appearance when a traffic signal ahead is red red.