Emergency signal system for vehicles

A vehicle signaling device for alerting drivers approaching from a rear of the vehicle, comprising

• at least one audio signal emitting device arranged on the vehicle having an activated state in which an audio signal is emitted and an inactivated state in which an audio signal is not emitted,
• means for enabling manual activation of said at least one audio signal emitting device from said inactivated state to said activated state,
• velocity measurement means for measuring an absolute velocity of the vehicle, and
• control means coupled to said velocity measurement means and said manual activation enabling means for enabling activation of said at least one audio signal emitting device from said inactivated state to said activated state by said manual activation enabling means if the measured absolute velocity is less than a threshold velocity in said control means.

A method for alerting drivers approaching from a rear of the vehicle to changes in the velocity of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• arranging on the vehicle at least one audio signal emitting device having an inactivated state and an activated state in which an audio signal is emitted, and
• controlling the activation of said at least one audio signal emitting device in relation to the rate of change of velocity of the vehicle, said activation controlling step comprising the steps of:
• measuring an absolute velocity of the vehicle,
• measuring deceleration of the vehicle after a brake pedal of the vehicle is depressed, and
• activating said at least one audio signal emitting device from its inactivated state to its activated state only if the absolute velocity is greater than a threshold velocity and the measured deceleration is greater than a deceleration threshold.

A method for alerting drivers approaching from a rear of the vehicle to changes in the velocity of the vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• arranging on the vehicle at least one audio signal emitting device having an inactivated state and an activated state in which an audio signal is emitted, and
• controlling the activation of said at least one audio signal emitting device in relation to the absolute velocity of the vehicle, said activation control step comprising the steps of:
• measuring an absolute velocity of the vehicle,
• measuring deceleration of the vehicle after a brake pedal of the vehicle is depressed,
• enabling manual activation of said at least one audio signal emitting device from said inactivated state to said activated state if the measured absolute velocity is less than a threshold velocity, and
• automatically activating said at least one audio signal emitting device from its inactivated state to its activated state if the absolute velocity is greater than the threshold velocity and the measured deceleration is greater than a deceleration threshold.