Dumb question: why do the rear brake light not work w/out car being on?

[foofighter]

Most cars, in fact ALL the cars I've ever owned the brake lights work even without the car being "ON" i noticed this today when I asked my wife to look at the brake lights and she said nothing's coming on...once i put the key in the ignition and turned things on did the rear brake light work. Is this a normal LR thing?

 

[angasreid]

Because the BrItish are silly

 

[foofighter]

**** so it's a British thing? Really?

 

[yrbender]

The lights are on in british refrigerators when the door is closed. This is why.

 

[ChesapeakeRover]

The lights are on in british refrigerators when the door is closed. This is why.

 

[foofighter]

lol

 

[Roverine]

Don't believe it. Nothing wired across the pond lasts for long.