driving with lights on

[Wander]

note from TTDegs:
The following posts split from the 'what software upgrades would you like' thread

Originally Posted by sik2k

I drive with my lights on all the time as I like to think I am more visible

Well, take it from me, you definably ARE more visible.
I figure the difference between me noticing you with your lights on or off is easily 100 meters.

(I'm not blind btw, but I do drive in a lot of rural areas with tree's (and their shadows))

[markvirgo]

Originally Posted by sik2k

I drive with my lights on all the time as I like to think I am more visible (not that it appears to work that often). I'd like this feature too.

Sorry but people who drive with their lights on in daylight drive me mad.

I mean WHY do you need to!. I can see you.

I bet you like driving with the foglights on in the rain also?.

(rant over)

[sik2k]

Originally Posted by markvirgo

Sorry but people who drive with their lights on in daylight drive me mad.

I mean WHY do you need to!. I can see you.

I bet you like driving with the foglights on in the rain also?.

(rant over)

No. I rarely use foglights at all as the weather isn't often that bad at all. I really hate driving the day after bad weather to end up following someone with rear foglamps.

I don't drive with my front fogs on in the day either. I was once told by a copper that you're only allowed to have one set of lights on during the day. As far as I'm aware you need other lights on in order for the fog lamps to work and so therefore fog lamps on in the day is illegal.

[Type S Bournemouth]

Originally Posted by markvirgo

Sorry but people who drive with their lights on in daylight drive me mad.

I mean WHY do you need to!. I can see you.

I bet you like driving with the foglights on in the rain also?.

(rant over)

Annoys me to people who drive with there lights on in fine weather conditions. Pointless

[Morph3ous]

Originally Posted by markvirgo

Sorry but people who drive with their lights on in daylight drive me mad.

I mean WHY do you need to!. I can see you.

I bet you like driving with the foglights on in the rain also?.

(rant over)

Because its safer! Why do you think Volvo lights are on all the time as standard? It far easier to see someone who has their lights on, daytime or not.

It's illegal to use your fog lights (front or rear) when visibility is not 'seriously reduced'. Thats the only time they should be used. So I suppose you could say it was illegal to use more than one set of lights during the day, however if visibility was reduced for whatever reason during the day, and you put your fog lights on you won't get stuck on for it. You might get stopped though if you're driving through town with them on at night time just cos you think they look cool!

[Type S Bournemouth]

Originally Posted by Morph3ous

Because its safer! Why do you think Volvo lights are on all the time as standard? It far easier to see someone who has their lights on, daytime or not.

It's illegal to use your fog lights (front or rear) when visibility is not 'seriously reduced'. Thats the only time they should be used. So I suppose you could say it was illegal to use more than one set of lights during the day, however if visibility was reduced for whatever reason during the day, and you put your fog lights on you won't get stuck on for it. You might get stopped though if you're driving through town with them on at night time just cos you think they look cool!

Volvos only hve there lights on all the time cause of the country they are made in. Where conditions are quite poor alot of the time.

Pointless having lights on over here when conditions are fine.

[Morph3ous]

Originally Posted by Type S Bournemouth

Pointless having lights on over here when conditions are fine.

I'm sorry but I disagree. Motorcyclists are taught to put their lights on at all times as it helps other drivers see them. Why teach this if it's a pointless act?

[Type S Bournemouth]

I agree with you about bikes. I was meaning cars really. Not counting bikes.

[shakadimas]

We have to drive with headlights on 24 hours a day in Latvia. In the beginning it seemed silly, but now we are used to it and it really helps to see driving cars -- and yes, all Civics sold in Latvia has auto headlights on at all times

[markvirgo]

Originally Posted by Morph3ous

Because its safer! Why do you think Volvo lights are on all the time as standard? It far easier to see someone who has their lights on, daytime or not.

It's illegal to use your fog lights (front or rear) when visibility is not 'seriously reduced'. Thats the only time they should be used. So I suppose you could say it was illegal to use more than one set of lights during the day, however if visibility was reduced for whatever reason during the day, and you put your fog lights on you won't get stuck on for it. You might get stopped though if you're driving through town with them on at night time just cos you think they look cool!

I do not use my foglights unless it is foggy and I do not see how I could see you more with a 21w or a 55w light more than with the sun.

Volvo lights are on because of the climate in sweden. It is dark for months at a time in certain parts. So they are on for safety in the darkness.

[TTDegs]

I've split these posts out, because whilst it is a good discussion point, it was clutterring up the 'what software upgrades would you like' thread


Please continue to keep it civil though as it seems like a contentious issue...

[czechplastik]

Perma lights on in other countries makes sense, not so much here. Although certain people do not seem to be aware as to when they should turn lights on in poor conditions.

Fog lights should only be used when visability is between 10-15 metres only. They blind other motorists and used incorrectly are downright dangerous hence (quite rightly) why Police regularly issue fines for misuse.

[Rocko]

I usually drive with at least my side lights on, and headlights on on the motorway. Being a military driver we usually do it due to having earth toned vehicles, and it's become habit now.

[St3ph3n]

Daytime running lights are compulsory in Switzerland and they work very well there. I've driven there a lot and I always found they made things better. Also, when driving on the German autobahn - even in clear daylight - having your lights on allows slower moving drivers ahead of you to notice much sooner, making it safer for you to overtake them at 120mph

[pcr]

CZ, so on a bright sunny day, it's OK to have dazzling HID headlights on but not fog lights ?
About daytime use of headlights, if it becomes law, I feel it makes for a more stressful driving experience.

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by pcr

CZ, so on a bright sunny day, it's OK to have dazzling HID headlights on but not fog lights ?
About daytime use of headlights, if it becomes law, I feel it makes for a more stressful driving experience.

I'm not advocating the use of lights during the day, but in response to your point, HID lamps would be dipped and no more blinding than headlights at night.

[welshtom]

It is safer having your lights permanently on and I remember reading a report that investigated this issue and confirmed just that (can't find it for the life of me now!). The main reason it is safer is because it eliminates driver error - people who simply can't/don't accurately judge the conditions in which lighting is required (the main one being dusk - when most accidents occur) / bad weather / forgetting to put the lights on @ night. In fine conditions it makes no difference granted - no better but certainly no worse, and for those of you saying you find lights during good weather 'glaring' well that is plain nonsense!

[Korkut Varol]

Do not consider the point from only the drivers' side. There was a one week trial period over here, where many people traveled with their headlights on. As a pedestrian, I was definitely more alerted by the ones having their headlights on.
First item of traffic safety is "see and be seen". Headlights that are on are definitely seen earlier.
On an open road, say, with the sun right ahead of you and the vehicles far ahead are seen as silhouettes. Seeing two vehicles side by side; if one is oncoming, then you can distinguish it easily by its lit headlights. If not, it cannot be differentiated that easily from an overtaking vehicle.
All end up with safety. Not the main beams, just the dipped ones. Marker lights do not do much favour in terms of being seen, unless in a dark environment (where it is much better to put on the dipped beams)

[Pottsy]

The most recent EU study comes up with this:

According to the research available, Daytime Running Light (DRL)1 has a high potential to increase road safety. They help road users to better and earlier detect, recognise and identify vehicles. Studies estimate the life-saving potential of DRL to be in the order of 3 to 5 % of the yearly number of road fatalities.

That is to say, if measures are taken to require the use of DRL throughout the EU, it could help saving between 1.200 and 2.000 road fatalities per year and thus make an important contribution to the European target of saving 25.000 lives per year on European roads.

The following research findings should also be noted in the course of assessing whether legislation on DRL for all vehicles is appropriate:

• Road users not having lighting devices, i.e. pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds do not become less conspicuous if all vehicles feature DRL;
• A negative effect of DRL on the visibility of motorcyclists can not be ascertained;
• Dedicated DRL and dipped headlamps do not cause glare;
• It is true that DRL increases fuel consumption and CO2-Emissions by up to 1.5% if dipped headlamps are used but this is reduced to only 0.3% in the case of dedicated DRL. However, taking into account this effect on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, the benefits of a legal obligation to use dipped headlights on existing vehicles and to equip new vehicles with automatic dedicated DRL outweigh the costs by the factor 1 to 2. i.e. for one Euro invested into daytime running lights, there is a benefit to society of 2 Euro.
• 14 Member States have mandatory rules on the use of DRL in force so far, with different requirements. Furthermore, some Member States recommend the use of light during daylight without mandating them while waiting for harmonised European legislation. In order to avoid confusion and related road insecurity, a harmonised EU-wide rule could be necessary for the benefit of the travelling citizen.

[markvirgo]

I do not think much on research.
someone will always have an arguement that the research they do will save lives and money.

There is lots of things that can be done to save lives on roads.

What about the extra cost of bulbs and the battery.
Comming out to find a flat battery if you leave them on.

As a HGV Lorry driver I am totally against driving with lights on during the day.

As you say the benefits are in Euro's we are still in sterling. This would be another step in the european joining.