secondary and optional tertiary brake light illuminate at least 0 2 seconds after the brake mechanism is engaged by the driver it is most preferred that the secondary and optional tertiary brake light illuminate at least 0 5 seconds after the brake mechanism is engaged by the driver it would be apparent from the description herein that the delay period between engagement of the brake pedal and illumination of the secondary or optional tertiary brake light is sufficiently long to insure that the brake mechanism is not simply tapped but is engaged in a manner to stop the vehicle if for example the vehicle operator initially engages the brake pedal but then decides to proceed the secondary brake light would preferably not illuminate thereby avoiding the inaccurate indication that the operator intends to stop the vehicle it would also be apparent that the delay period must be sufficiently short that the light is illuminated prior to stopping it is most preferred that the delay period between engaging the brake mechanism and illumination of the secondary and optional tertiary brake light be no more than 1 5 seconds more preferably the delay period is no more than 1 second and most preferably the delay period is no more than 0 75 seconds in a particularly preferred embodiment the delay period between activation of the brake mechanism and illumination is between 0 5 and 0 75 seconds the delay period may also be variable and a function of the speed of the vehicle for example if the vehicle is traveling faster the delay period may be longer.