BRAKE LIGHTS 95 cutlass

95 Olds Cutlass Convertible – 3.4L DOHC Brake lights –
Upper center lights work but lower brake lights – nojoy! Net research suggests problem is in turn signal switch – rather not pull wheel right now.
One solution I read was to add an additional bulb to each lower fixture and power it from center brake light circuit. Sounds good – but can I not feed blinker filaments from this circuit and avoid back-feeding blinker circuits using some diodes? – a person who knows more about the circuitry might be able to help me here –

Also, halogen bulbs in center brake light tend to melt the housing - is there an LED solution?

Thanks, funpete2000