Cap'n it's because they are kuhl. Kuhl has never gotten in the way of safety. As a for instance, I have a 2010 Jetta Sportwagen TDi and people on the VW BB are just falling all over themselves to eliminate the day time running lights - a proven accident reducer. I can only scratch my head.
These kind of situations I call the Darwin Principal. (Hell I even added a third brake light under the targa bar to be even better seen - and statistically they cut rear enders by - I believe an additional 30% if memory serves me.) Who wants a classic hit?
Now to aid and abet our Racer friend, there is a product called NightShades which comes in a rattle can from your local Pep Boyz or whatever. It sprays a splatter pattern and you can add as little or much as you want - legality aside - for that smoked out look. I would recommend uprating your bulbs if you go this route with either real smoked or faux smoked.
QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ Nov 20 2011, 01:46 PM)
Why would you want to make your tail and brake lights LESS easily seen?
The Cap'n