referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first , particularly to fig1 thereof , there is shown a prior art backup lighting configuration 1 nearly - ubiquitous on today &# 39 ; s motor vehicles . the backup lighting configuration 1 contains left and right backup lights 2 , 3 . the backup lights 2 , 3 are actuated by a series connection of switches 4 , 5 which includes a backup switch 4 and an ignition switch 5 . the ignition switch 5 is triggered or switched closed upon the actuation of the motor vehicle while the backup switch 4 is actuated ( e . g . closed ) upon placing the transmission into a reverse gear . thus , the motor vehicle battery 6 is in series with the ignition switch 5 and the backup switch 4 , which are wired in series with the pair of parallel connected backup lights 2 , 3 completing a circuit to ground gnd . once the motor vehicle is placed in the reverse gear , the backup lights 2 , 3 turn on automatically , and they stay on continuously until the vehicle is taken out of the reverse gear . no other active backup lighting modality is available . this type of backup lighting is simple and is still effective on rural roads and / or for curbside parking , at night . however , this type of backup lighting was configured primarily to illuminate the area directly behind the vehicle to help a driver see where he / she is going . however , today there are many large and crowded parking lots close to shopping centers , hospitals , hotels , theatres , congregation centers , etc . not only do these jammed parking lots present new problems for avoiding auto - to - auto collisions , they also present even more serious , life - and - limb threatening problems to pedestrians ( children , adults , elderly and informed persons , etc .) who must pass behind rows of parked cars , on high alert , so as to avoid any backing up vehicles . it &# 39 ; s the contention here that this modern , often congested , type of driving environment requires an updated backup lighting configuration . this new configuration of backup lighting is provided , not to aid the driver , but primarily to serve as an enhanced warning signal to nearby pedestrians and / or other motor vehicles . fig2 shows an embodiment of a dual - mode lighting configuration 11 according to the invention . in this configuration , the vehicle is equipped with a pair of regular white backup lights 12 , 13 , as in current use , and the driver has the option to select , at the flip of a switch 16 a , 16 b , either of two backup lighting modes , as follows : mode 1 — the regular white backup lights 12 , 13 stay on continuously . mode 2 — the regular white backup lights 12 , 13 flash repeatedly . a battery 16 of the motor vehicle is in series with an ignition switch 15 and a backup switch 14 plus a flasher 17 , which are wired in series with the pair of parallel connected backup lights 12 , 13 , completing the circuit to ground gnd . with a double - pole , double - throw ( dpdt ) mode selector switch 16 a , 16 b in the position shown and when the ignition switch 15 and the reverse gear backup switch 14 are closed , the backup lights 12 , 13 flash repeatedly instead of being constantly on . with the dpdt mode selector switch 16 a , 16 b in the alternate position , when the ignition switch 15 and the backup switch 14 are closed , the backup lights 12 , 13 stay on continuously because a bypass path 18 goes around the flasher 17 . a backup mode indicator formed of a light emitting diode led 19 and a current - limiting resistor r 1 have been included in order to provide the driver with a real - time visual indication of the active backup lighting mode , flashing or continuous operation of the led 19 matching the operation of the backup lights 12 , 13 . of course many other indicators are also possible in addition to the led 19 . an actuator 20 of the switch 16 a , 16 b is provided on the dashboard , instrument panel or front console . by pressing the actuator 20 , the driver can chose between the flashing and continuous operation modes . ideally , the actuator 20 and the led 19 are integrated as a single unit ( led light built into the surface of the actuator 20 ). the backup mode indicating diode led 19 should be mounted near where the driver can easily see it , but not be so bright or conspicuously located as to interfere , in any manner . ideally , the actuator 20 and the led 19 are mounted in an area of an instrument panel , dashboard or the front console . in an alternative embodiment , the driver can set the mode of the backup lights in his preset vehicle operating options chosen from a preset list and thus choose between flashing and continuous operating mode and thus no dashboard mounted actuator 20 would be necessary . clearly there are many other possible dual - mode configurations than the dual - mode configuration that has been discussed . anyone of average skill in the art of circuit design can design other dual - mode configurations , such as ( a ) using a 3pdt switch configuration so that the backup mode indicator led optionally turns on continuously in mode 1 , or ( b ) using two or more flashers , asynchronous left / right light flashing action can be achieved , or ( c ) designing a configuration in which both white and amber lights stay on continuously in mode 1 and flash synchronously . the basic idea presented here is to provide some sort of dual - mode backup lighting for increased backup safety . the dual - mode backup wiring , as described in the foregoing , has the now described factors in its favor . first , flashing lights provide a significant improvement in vehicle backup signaling . therefore , its ready access as a switchable option will unquestionably save lives , prevent personal injuries and help avoid auto - to - auto collisions . second , the dual - mode backup lighting is not only simple to incorporate in new motor vehicles , rolling off the production line , it can also be readily installed in existing motor vehicles . third , either way , the dual - mode backup lighting can be incorporated at very low - cost using readily available components . the basic idea presented here is to re - configure today &# 39 ; s motor vehicles for a much - needed update ; the option to easily choose from either of two backup lighting modes ; mode 1 : a continuously - on type of backup - lighting ;— designed primarily to assist the vehicle &# 39 ; s driver in dark and sparsely populated situations , typified by night - time curbside parking . mode 2 : a flashing type of backup - signal - light - warning ;— designed primarily to alert , and thereby protect , nearby pedestrians and / or other motor vehicles in either dark or well - lit situations , typified by crowded , busy and tightly laid - out parking lots . please note that there are only four new components required for implementing the invention , they are the switch 16 a , 16 b , 20 the flasher 17 , the led 19 and the current limiting resistor r 1 .