The use of headlights.
Discussion
Why is it that so many drivers appear reluctant to use their headlights to help others to see them on gloomy spray-ridden days like today. It's not just the outside lane-hogging silver-grey Merc or BMW (that blend perfectly with their grey damp surroundings) either, but 'professional' truck and van drivers who prefer not to use lights or to remain on side-lights. If you observe approaching traffic or look in your mirror - you'll see that a car will be visible long before you can even see their sidelights, but I suppose some people get comfort from the knowledge that they have 'some' lights on.
I suppose we'll also have the problem of numptys leaving their rear fog lights on for days after all this rain has gone....if it ever does!
I suppose we'll also have the problem of numptys leaving their rear fog lights on for days after all this rain has gone....if it ever does!
One reason for not putting lights on is that you make Bikes less visible as they ride with lights on. I must admit I find it rediculous that people put on lights as soon as its raining (often including fog lights). When its gloomy and there is a lot of spray (ie when visibility is reduced) fine put on your lights, unfortunately people don't do it that way, its almost as if their headlights are connected to their windscreen wipers.
I think some drivers in these situations think to themselves that because they can see the road their car must be visable to other drivers.
Sometimes the use of lights is required to allow other drivers to see you and not as an aid to your driving. Or at least in my opinion - especially in rain or light fog when you wind up to overtake someone and then a car appears down the road!!
Sometimes the use of lights is required to allow other drivers to see you and not as an aid to your driving. Or at least in my opinion - especially in rain or light fog when you wind up to overtake someone and then a car appears down the road!!
quote:
One reason for not putting lights on is that you make Bikes less visible as they ride with lights on.
Not quite sure why putting your lights on makes bikes less visible - but I agree that the use of lights should be a considered act and not automatic - but then that goes with all motoring actions. Basically, if you have difficulty seeing other vehicles due to the conditions, then those same vehicles will have difficulty seeing you...time then for headlights.
agreed.
Motorbikes traditionally put on their headlights during the day because it makes them more noticible/visible. By putting headlights on all vehicles that advantage is lost hence less visible. I have actually seen a motorbike "disappear" when an SUV behind the bike put its lights on. Don't forget an accident for a biker is always more serious than a car.
Motorbikes traditionally put on their headlights during the day because it makes them more noticible/visible. By putting headlights on all vehicles that advantage is lost hence less visible. I have actually seen a motorbike "disappear" when an SUV behind the bike put its lights on. Don't forget an accident for a biker is always more serious than a car.
I agree with the noticing bikes bit (If there's a sea of lights behind you you won't notice the bike filtering through) and I also think that switching on lights should be related to conditions, and what you're driving and where etc.
It really pissed me off when I drive in a slight drizzle with no lights on, in town, in a bright orange Lotus and old farts flash me and pointing to the fact that my lights aren't on. If I can see thier green micra from 1/2 mile away then surely they can see my car. The very fact that they are flashing at me is proof that they have clearly noticed my car, and therefore there is no need for me to put my headlights on. If I was on a motorway on the same day it may be useful to turn on lights because of the spray and higher closing speeds.
It really pissed me off when I drive in a slight drizzle with no lights on, in town, in a bright orange Lotus and old farts flash me and pointing to the fact that my lights aren't on. If I can see thier green micra from 1/2 mile away then surely they can see my car. The very fact that they are flashing at me is proof that they have clearly noticed my car, and therefore there is no need for me to put my headlights on. If I was on a motorway on the same day it may be useful to turn on lights because of the spray and higher closing speeds.
I put an all weather bulb (Yellow) in my dipped beam so that my bike stands out from the cars.
I reckon this is especiialy good at night when drivers do have real trouble picking out a bike from all the headlights in their mirrors.
I reckon this is especiialy good at night when drivers do have real trouble picking out a bike from all the headlights in their mirrors.
quote:
Motorbikes traditionally put on their headlights during the day because it makes them more noticible/visible. By putting headlights on all vehicles that advantage is lost hence less visible. I have actually seen a motorbike "disappear" when an SUV behind the bike put its lights on. Don't forget an accident for a biker is always more serious than a car.
Sorry but I don't agree with the "leave your lights off unless you really need them" policy.
I understand the biker point, but the same also applies to a low, grey Lotus. I drive with my lights on even if it's daytime and dry.
I'm sick of numpties pulling out in front of me at junctions and roundabouts etc.
I understand the biker point, but the same also applies to a low, grey Lotus. I drive with my lights on even if it's daytime and dry.
I'm sick of numpties pulling out in front of me at junctions and roundabouts etc.
quote:
Sorry but I don't agree with the "leave your lights off unless you really need them" policy.
I understand the biker point, but the same also applies to a low, grey Lotus. I drive with my lights on even if it's daytime and dry.
I'm sick of numpties pulling out in front of me at junctions and roundabouts etc.
Bonce, exactly my opinion.
I usually drive with lights on in my dark-grey Griff.
Anyway how the weather is, you can´t blame somebody for causing trouble if you are camouflaged to the road.
I am much less carefull while driving a white or red car.
I think this is one of the classic threads where actually we're all sensible enough to judge whether or not to put our lights on and we're moaning about numptied that clearly don't! and Yes I'm against daylight running lights (if you hadn't guessed 
).
Bonce, I see your point as well, although I don't believe that putting your lights on will make any difference. My experience in a WHITE Elan M100 was that Tw@ts still pull out in front of you 'cos they can't judge speed very well. I would be interested if you feel it has made a difference I would have thought the numpties would find it harder to judge your speed because of the lights mesmorising effect.
). Bonce, I see your point as well, although I don't believe that putting your lights on will make any difference. My experience in a WHITE Elan M100 was that Tw@ts still pull out in front of you 'cos they can't judge speed very well. I would be interested if you feel it has made a difference I would have thought the numpties would find it harder to judge your speed because of the lights mesmorising effect.
I have a simple rule which I apply to headlights, fog lights and any other kind of light my vehicle is fitted with. I look at the other vehicles and think, what lights do I wish he was showing? and then set my own lights accordingly.
So, if it's dark enough that I think "look at that twit coming the other way with no headlights on", I make sure my headlights are on.
If I come upon another vehicle in the fog and think "woah, I nearly hit that silly sod because he hasn't got his rear fogs on", I make sure my rear fogs are illuminated.
Similarly, once sitting in a queue I always turn rear fogs off on the basis that if the guy can't see me from five feet away he's so f**king blind that no foglights in the world are going to help and I get well pi**ed off sitting behind some tw@t with his fogs dazzling me.
I also use the handbrake 'cos I know my high level brake light dazzles - I've followed cars like mine driven by less considerate people.
Sorry, is this too complicated for the Great Unwashed?
ps, you bikers show all the lights you want because in drizzly weather you're a bugger to see and I would be gutted if I knocked one of you off
So, if it's dark enough that I think "look at that twit coming the other way with no headlights on", I make sure my headlights are on.
If I come upon another vehicle in the fog and think "woah, I nearly hit that silly sod because he hasn't got his rear fogs on", I make sure my rear fogs are illuminated.
Similarly, once sitting in a queue I always turn rear fogs off on the basis that if the guy can't see me from five feet away he's so f**king blind that no foglights in the world are going to help and I get well pi**ed off sitting behind some tw@t with his fogs dazzling me.
I also use the handbrake 'cos I know my high level brake light dazzles - I've followed cars like mine driven by less considerate people.
Sorry, is this too complicated for the Great Unwashed?
ps, you bikers show all the lights you want because in drizzly weather you're a bugger to see and I would be gutted if I knocked one of you off
My opinions are as soon as it gets grim put the lights on, if it's bright sunny and clear by putting them on as an automatic reaction you defeat the object and the same arguements rear up as only signalling when neccessary etc.....As for bikes yes it's true if everyone used lights they'r lose their advantage but in a low small sports car you almost as invisible so no problem there. What does annoy me with UK spec bikes is that when the lights are on they are on full stop i.e both lights on a twin light bike and very easily a close (ish) bike travelling at speed can look like a distant car travelling slowly (because the lights are close togeather) On all European imports only one of the twin lights comes on as a running light with number two coming on on main beam.....wake up England
wholeheartedly agree on both counts.I'm glad there's so many thinking drivers out there - just hope we're all on the same bit of road when it's raining!
Basically most agree that if it's hard to see other vehicles because of the spray - then they are having the same difficulty seeing you.
By the same token - if you're being dazzled by the rear fog or brake lights of the car in front - then yours are dazzling the car behind.
Have a safe journey home!
Basically most agree that if it's hard to see other vehicles because of the spray - then they are having the same difficulty seeing you.
By the same token - if you're being dazzled by the rear fog or brake lights of the car in front - then yours are dazzling the car behind.
Have a safe journey home!
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It really pissed me off when I drive in a slight drizzle with no lights on, in town, in a bright orange Lotus and old farts flash me and pointing to the fact that my lights aren't on
Shows how things are changing, not so long ago said farts would have flashed if you had your lights on and it wasn't time for their Horlicks.
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I put an all weather bulb (Yellow) in my dipped beam so that my bike stands out from the cars.
(quote)
Sounds like a good idea but is I'm afraid illegal as headlamps are required to be white under construction and use regs, a yellow lamp should fail MoT. How about some of those nice Halfords LEDs (only joking about the LEDs!!!).
Some years ago returning from the Ace Cafe (Norton 650SS) I saw a friend's Vespa looking a little bent by the side of the road. He had lost an arguement with a blue rinse in a Triumph Herald who claimed she hadn't seen him, joke was that he had eight halogen spots plus his headlamp and they were all on at the time of the prang.
Sometimes you just can't win!
PS Most Mods lights didn't work but you could buy heavy duty dynamos which, with a battery from a Honda 250 enabled you to run the lights for a reasonable time.
PPS The most outragous thing we ever rode to the Ace was a Triumph Tigress scooter fitted with a tuned Boniville motor, did wonderful wheelies but we never quite managed to sort out cooling so East Acton to the Ace was about as far as it ever managed.For those unfamiliar with West London that is not very far.
Of such things memories are made!
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