Drivers and their lights

[crickleymal]

I reckon about 10% of motorists have no idea how to use their lights correctly.

It's foggy so
a. I can just use my sidelights no matter that I'm invisible beyond 100 yards.
b. No lights at all, that's fine too.
c. I've got those LED running lights so that's ok isn't it. No rear lights though but hey does that matter?

It's not foggy so.
a. It has been foggy so it's ok to have my rear foglights on all day.
b. I can drive with my front foglights on all night.

I'm driving around town so sidelights are ok cos that's legal.

It's dusk (dark enough that I have trouble reading a newspaper) and I'm driving a tarmac coloured car. But the streetlights aren't on so I don't need any lights either.

[BBROWN1664]

you forgot one.

It is dark but I have LED running lights on the front so no need to turn my lights on. Everyone behind me can see my reflectors.


I have a theory that there is a design defect on these cars. Cars with DRL's seem to have the dash lights on when the DRLs are on giving the muppet behind the wheel the impression that their lights are on. this must be the case unless they cant see their feccin speedo.

[slimwilly]

Then there are those bikers (bastards ) who ride their bikes blatently with their headlights on FULL beam,,thinking ,,other road users will see them so they won't get hit ,,,,NOOOOOOO,i will run into them because I am blinded,,,fools

[bri h]

Or theres the bikers that fit osram night breakers that are so bright cagers think its their main beam so flash them all the time so the biker ends up blinded on his way to work every morning. Ive changed them now :lol .

[Exupnut]

Most car drivers are foccin blind anyway so it wouldn't make much difference....this chap has the right idea...

[bri h]

Yep thats an osram night breaker Pete .

[Dave48]

Then theres the added problem of car drivers who NEVER check their bulbs all work. So in the city where theres a lot of light sources causing distraction they drive around oblivious to the fact. I thought most cars had warning lights on the dash display to inform of bulb failure?

[BBROWN1664]

very few cars have warning lights about bulb failure Dave

The ones that amaze me are brake lights. 5-10 bulbs in the high level one plus one each side and you get cars with only about 1/3 of the high level bulbs working (no side ones)
How often do these drivers actually check them?

[sinto607276]

very few cars have warning lights about bulb failure Dave

My car has a warning system for bulbs but I still check them periodically
Habit I suppose of having to check my truck every day (although that's changing a bit with the modern trucks but we still need to walk round the vehicle etc) and also my bike when I take it out

[joebloggs]

I don't think riders or drivers should have their lights on during daylight hours full stop.

Firstly (and most worrying) is riders assuming they have been seen, sure way of getting yourself killed

And secondly you can't judge the distance of a halogen lights so a driver may actually have seen you but he'll pull out as he hasn't judges either your speed or distance correctly. Theres no arguement that he/she should have waited as we all asses the other traffic in these situations and go if we believe theres time.

So for me lights on during the day doubles your chance of being knocked off. Those drivers who missed you pull out and now you've the added issue with those who have but have no idea how far away you are.

I'll pop on my lights in town where I can stop safely but other than that trust to defensive riding and good road positioning

Hmmmmm talking of use of lights......

[sinto607276]

I don't think riders or drivers should have their lights on during daylight hours full stop.

That's just plain silly.

Test results show that it is far safer to have lights on during the day.

If this was such an unsafe act, why would new vehicles be coming with daylight running lights that can't be switched off, albeit that they really should have them wired up for the back lights as well, but that's another story.

I have always driven/rode with lights on and believe that's the safest option and will continue to do so.

[joebloggs]

[quote author=joebloggs link=topic=18451.msg212725#msg212725 date=1444546988]
I don't think riders or drivers should have their lights on during daylight hours full stop.

That's just plain silly.

Test results show that it is far safer to have lights on during the day.

If this was such an unsafe act, why would new vehicles be coming with daylight running lights that can't be switched off, albeit that they really should have them wired up for the back lights as well, but that's another story.





I have always driven/rode with lights on and believe that's the safest option and will continue to do so.
[/quote]

Our government tried to introduce compulsory daytime lights in the 80's but MAG armed with a ton of scientific research changed their minds. You have a choice as to whether to use your lights, I for one don't, but it is your choice.

And for me thats what its about, freedom of choice.

[sinto607276]

Totally with freedom of choice but all vehicles being manufactured now have to come with drl, so the government have obviously changed their minds since the last time.

[BBROWN1664]

DRLs  may be on all new cars but having them lit up is not compulsory.

[sinto607276]

DRLs  may be on all new cars but having them lit up is not compulsory.

Eh? I didn't think you could switch them off, mind you, I'm only going with our trucks that have them and my mate's newish car, as I've got an '57 plate
Yes, you can switch the lights to sidelights and dipped beam, but you can't just switch off the DRL'S as far as I'm aware.

[joebloggs]

Totally with freedom of choice but all vehicles being manufactured now have to come with drl, so the government have obviously changed their minds since the last time.

Our government or europainintheass union

[sinto607276]

Our government or europainintheass union

:rollin :rollin :rollin

[BBROWN1664]

My dad's Audi smoke machine has them. You can switch them off on that through the various settings on the dash. Not just via a switch though.  I always turn them off when I drive it as I don't like them.

[sinto607276]

My dad's Audi smoke machine has them. You can switch them off on that through the various settings on the dash. Not just via a switch though.  I always turn them off when I drive it as I don't like them.

I don't know if I could be bothered going through the settings to switch them off, I'd rather have them on anyway bit that's down to my personal choice as it is yours to switch them off

[fazersharp]

I HATE daylight running lights on cars

Especially in this country reason is that the are SO bright in order to compete with European sun. Now in our much more Northern country we get a loooooong dimming twilight and yet these European daylight running lights are set to mid day Spanish sun so for us they are far too bright.
I also hate them is because before they were introduced to help blind European car drivers --Spanish still half asleep after their sesta  French half pissed on a few glasses of red after lunch Italians who dont give a shit about any thing but how to look good in shades ------- to  see another focing car, if you saw a light on in the daytime you SAW it and usually it would be a biker but now our lights are lost amoungst a sea  of ever brighter ever more "fancy" wavy/ cat eyes to distinguish manufacturers from each other.
Twats who also put their fog lights on in  their nissan  Jukes (pukes)  then there are SIX lights cumming at you  --- how the FOC is a car turning right or pulling out supposed to see a bikers one light traveling infront of that FOCING christmas tree !!!!!!!!!

GET ME ANOTHER  BEER    !  and a defibrillator