Driving in high-stress, often touch-and-go traffic situations has always annoyed me, but not just for the more obvious reasons of gridlock and drivers behaving badly. I have long wanted a way to communicate with other drivers beyond a horn honk or hand gestures, both of which can be taken in wrong or aggressive ways. I often feel the need to explain what I’m doing, or to apologize for braking too soon, etc.

Thus, I have an idea: what if there were a way to put a small LED sign in the back window of cars, to flash up a few pre-programmed messages to warn the driver(s) behind us or around us?

To illustrate, I’ve created a few graphics to display a few helpful messages:

This would be a great multi-purpose message–short and to the point, covering anything from cutting someone off to braking or swerving suddenly.

Lord, how I have NEEDED this sign in times past…more to warn the drivers behind me that I might make sudden turns or brake suddenly upon missing my turn. LOL!

Sometimes, drivers behind you might not be aware that another car is trying to change lanes or merge into traffic–this message would keep them from being so frustrated at the otherwise-unexplainable slowdown.

Good for those “gotta-gun-it-to-get-on-the-road-right-now” moments…

To politely remind the driver behind you that you’re aware of his/her rudeness.

Sometimes, it would really pay off to warn the drivers behind you that there’s a really erratic driver up ahead, no matter what the cause of such behavior.

Most important at night, when some folks seem to love keeping their brights on AND tailgating at the same time, utterly blinding you by way of your rearview mirrors. (If you do this to others, know that it’s not going to make them go any faster–it actually might make them slow down further because they can’t see!)

Because I literally do worry about being hit by large vehicles–drivers of said large vehicles don’t seem to notice us small-car drivers as much, and come pretty close to shaving my doors off more often than I like.

I’ve never understood why some drivers, even given the chance to go around on a multi-lane highway, tend to stay behind a slow driver, tailgating and flashing their lights. This sign would be a good way to politely tell such drivers to stop being highway pests.

A little calming message for anxious or frustrated drivers. We could use a little positivity on the road!

Bonus: (Funny) Signs You Probably Shouldn’t Put on a Car Sign

However, while creating these graphics, I came up with a few messages that would probably not solve any problems (but would be pretty funny):

‘Cause it’s always funny to see that driver who was being annoying and bossing you around a few minutes before suddenly being pulled over by the law. Vicarious revenge.

A less polite version of my earlier tailgating warnings…

For those drivers who like to use their horns a lot, especially when they are annoyed with you.

Know what I said earlier about small cars vs. SUVs? Yeah. This wouldn’t make the situation any better, but it’s what I usually say behind the wheel anyway. (I’m occasionally snarky in traffic, LOL)

Sometimes, it might help to humanize the traffic situation with a little humor. But, then again, you might be mistaken as flirting with the driver behind you, too. Whoops!

Because if you observe the driving habits of some folk, it does make you worried… 😉